positive bowel screening result

My husband has had two colonoscopies and has been fine. Please don't worry, remember it's routine. Good luck.

I joined the forum yesterday & I'm owning up to this being the reason. I was just about to start the thread when I read your post which I could have written. A positive fit test result a few days ago with initial call next week. I've no symptoms apart from a dull ache lower left but had this on and off for years no investigations. This is your thread so I'm not intruding just wanted to say you are not alone. It's scary but I try to look on the positive side 🤦‍♀️and say one day at a time.

Oh & I've no hesitation regarding the colonoscopy. As a former registered Nurse I've attended many patients opting in or out of sedation. I haven't made up my mind.

Good luck to you both. Like Marydoll I have a friend who had no symptoms but whose tumour was removed after a positive test and a colonoscopy. She is alive, well and very grateful years later.

Do have it done! I've had one; I was lucky, as nothing abnormal was found but it's always necessary to check and if it is something 'nasty' it's much easier to deal with at an early stage. The medication beforehand does tie you to the loo!

travelsafar

Thank you for all the suppportive messages. I have just had a chat with a friend about it and she confirms it is not too bad as unbeknown to me she has had several of these tests and it is not painful just a little undigniifed. Feeling better about the whole thing now.

I didn’t find it undignified in the least. You are covered in sheets and just the bit they need to get to is exposed. Nowhere near as bad as having an internal when they put your legs up in stirrups and then remove the seat!!

You get to come home with a colour pic of the journey the camera makes too.

If there are any polyps in there they remove them at the same time. You will not feel a thing and with sedation you are aware of something happening but really couldn’t care less.

I have had about 6 of these over the last 10 or so years as have had gut problems fir years.
The process is fine, the days before preparing are probably worse. I am always sedated but watch the tv with interest as the tube progresses along its journey. I have always been clear but my gut problems remain.
This time I am going to see a specialist because I may not have cancer which is wonderful of course, but something is wrong.
There is no need to worry, it doesn’t hurt and is quite interesting 🤨

I've had four colonosophys and the actual procedure doesn't bother me. I opt for sedation and really don't know what's going on. The difficult bit is the stuff you have to drink the day before to clear out the bowel. Just make sure you plan to be at home that day. I had two positive results from the home test but have been given the all clear after having polyps removed during the colonosophy.

I was dreading the colonoscopy but it went so easily. High levels pain meds first if requested so go for it.
Made sure I was well cleared out first with extra laxatives as constipation an issue. Go for it.

The worst parts of a colonoscopy is having to not eat for 2 days and take the bowel cleasing medication and running to the toilet. Some people say it makes them feel sick. I had a colonoscopy and an endoscopy on one session so cameras down/up both ends. You can also watch on a screen. I had the anesthetic which made it a bit more bearable but you have to have someone accompany you home and stay with you for 12 hours. Mine was clear but at least it was a load off my mind.

The bowel prep is horrendous stuff! If anyone isn't easily offended and wants a laugh, have a look on the like of YouTube and find the clip of Billy Connolly talking about colonoscopies. It is hilarious - and spot on!

I didn’t find the opening medicine too bad. In fact I felt really good after it did its job.

I had the exact same thing last year. Turned out to be a slight bleed from haemorrhoids. The colonoscopy wasn’t nearly as bad as I’d anticipated - the bowel clearing solution taken the day before was the hardest part. But if sedation is offered, take it. Not only does it make the whole experience easier, but it makes for a better result because it relaxes the bowel. My SIL was told a couple of years ago that the testing kit are so sensitive that if you swallow even the tiniest amount of blood before doing the test, from say a cut lip or gum, or you suck blood off a pinpricked finger, for example, it can show up as a positive result. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have it checked out - treatment options and outcomes are much better the earlier anything suspicious is sorted. Fingers crossed for you, I’m sure you’ll be fine.

Been in the same position twice. I found the colonoscopies perfectly manageable without sedation although it was offered both times. Kitted out with what they called modesty shorts I didn’t feel at all embarrassed. The staff thoughtful and kind.

Regarding the bowel prep. Several different types can be prescribed. Mine were different each time and came with differing instructions. It’s not my favourite pastime but truly not that bad and is certainly an effective cure for constipation. Just stay close to a toilet while it’s working and you’ll be fine.

Definitely worth getting your results checked via colonoscopy, you’re probably right and haemorrhoids are to blame. Better safe than sorry though.

Blondiescot

The bowel prep is horrendous stuff! If anyone isn't easily offended and wants a laugh, have a look on the like of YouTube and find the clip of Billy Connolly talking about colonoscopies. It is hilarious - and spot on!

Revisited this video clip. I Laughed as much this time as I did the first time I heard it 🤣
None of us know the outcome of tests until the results. I'm just post 60 now & prepared for anything but I'll sure as h... hit it with all I've got if it turns out nasty. 😉

colonoscopies are not nearly as uncomfortable as you think they will be,, and the staff are lovely..

I have had seven of these procedures as I had bowel cancer, they are not as bad as people imagine. Always better to have prompt treatment.

Bowel cancer is deadly if let run. My dear cousin died from it. You should definitely have the colonoscopy.

Please please have the colonoscopy OP. A family member died with bowel cancer, after a long and horrible two years.

Yes don’t put it off my dad had one and his turned out to be cancer and he ended up having a colonoscopy op I’m talking 50yrs ago and they have come along way since then days I’m waiting for my test results coming and because I grew up with my dad wearing bags it’s always in the back of my head that I could get it. But my dad if hear would say better to know than not know. But your bro should be helping you not scaring you.

Nannashirlz

Yes don’t put it off my dad had one and his turned out to be cancer and he ended up having a colonoscopy op I’m talking 50yrs ago and they have come along way since then days I’m waiting for my test results coming and because I grew up with my dad wearing bags it’s always in the back of my head that I could get it. But my dad if hear would say better to know than not know. But your bro should be helping you not scaring you.

My mother had crohn's disease, ended up with a bag and lived well into her 90s. She used to say attending to it was no more inconvenient than dealing with menstruation.

DamaskRose

Please please have the colonoscopy OP. A family member died with bowel cancer, after a long and horrible two years.

My brother died age 49,20 years ago. I do have a colonoscopy every couple of years although not pleasant I would choose it over dying from bowel cancer…
I had a friend who died from cervical cancer because she was too embarrassed to have the procedure to check for it…

I had a positive screening last year, had a colonoscopy (which was a doddle) and had a 3mm polyp removed. The histology showed that the tiny polyp was pre-cancerous. I would never refuse a colonoscopy.

Pre cancerous polyps here too, one so big they debated about operating, I now go every year and each time tiny polyps have been found and removed. My Grandfather died from bowel Cancer, if only these tests had been available when he was alive.
I’m sure it has saved me a whole lot of grief. Please have the Colonoscopy.

Very common for "people of a certain age" to be called forward for this type of investigation, myself included, and as in my case, it very often turns out to be related to piles. Nevertheless, it's a total "no-brainer" as to whether or not you accept the invitation. Of course you should. If you don't, at best you will spend the rest of your life worrying about bowel cancer, at worst, you may actually have bowel cancer, which if left untreated, only has one outcome.. As for the procedure, yes, it's a bit undignified, and was slightly uncomfortable for me, but no big deal. The big bonus was that I was given the all clear, and could then relax.