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Diverticulitis and positive fecal occult test

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muso1563
muso1563

I was diagnosed with non complicated diverticulitis years ago back in 2006. It was generally treated with antibiotics but usually cleared by itself with a 2 day liquid diet. I had a colonoscopy in 2014 which showed diverticular disease with diverticular pouches, no polyps at all.

Sometimes I go for long periods without symptoms and other times I get two or three flares a year which settle within 2 days going off solids. (without antibiotics)

I do get regular bowel discomfort though and have always had alternating constipation, loose bowels with frequent bowel movements which seems consistent with the disease. I have had a couple of single faecal occult tests with the older jar and scoop setup which were negative. Recently I had a much more accurate faecal occult test over three days with a far more thorough test kit involving the use of a stick to be inserted into the faecal matter at least 5 times in different areas of the faecal matter. I conducted the test over 3 separate days and sent it off. Day one was negative but day 2 and 3 were positive. I have now scheduled another colonoscopy but there is a waiting list. I am very nervous about the positive results but what I want to know is could this be due to the diverticular disease? We don't have a history of bowel cancer in our family. I know everyone fears bowel cancer but I have heard there are many causes of microscopic bleeding in faecal occult tests. I have been taking daily low dose aspirin blood thinner for over a year and also took nurofen the day before the tests. I also use lactulose daily and recently coloxyl stool softener for daily bowel maintenance.

I have a work injury (hernia) which needs surgical repair. I cannot at this time take the added worry of positive faecal occult tests. I should have got the test at another time so as to not overwhelm myself with additional worry.

I am having the colonoscopy anyway, but opinions re other possible causes of positive results would be much appreciated at this difficult time for me, thanks. I am apprehensive!

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1 Reply

  • MaybelMonroe
    MaybelMonroe muso1563

    Posted

    I have recently been diagnosed and am reading through these posts. I have been told by my GP that two things I must not take are Aspirin and Ibuprofen.

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