Diverticulitis Support Group

When I'm having a flare-up the pain can be a dull ache to a sharp rolling pain (very similar to menstrual cramps) in the lower left part of my abdomen.
I find the pain is worse when I need to have a bowel movement and is usually eases afterwards.
It's not usually a constant pain - more intermittent.
Recently I had my worst flare-up ever and it was a constant rolling pain. It was so bad I almost went to the hospital.
I usually get these flare-ups if I've had seeds or peanuts so I've decided now to avoid these at all costs! LOL
If you can afford to spend a little bit of money ($50 or so) at the health/herb store I got alot of relief from buying Aloe Vera juice and a nerve tincture and another tincture that is supposed to promote a healthy gut.
If you go to a good herb shop and explain that you have diverticulosis/diverticulitis they will be able to tell you what you need.

I didn't want to constantly go on antibiotics and it really works for me! I only use it when I'm having a flare up or I feel one coming on.
Hope this helps!
Terry =)

When I was just diagnosed in the hospital, they kept asking me if I had mucus in the stool, as it's one of the differential symptoms. My presentation was odd, my pain is mostly about 3 inches above my belly button and that area is also swelled up. I only get a little pain, mostly a kind of 'raw' sensation, in the lower left, where I know was one of the three infected areas.

On not having the financial means, it will be a lot worse if you are hospitalized, like I was. The bills are rolling in now!

Thanks for replying.
I guess what is confusing is everyone has a different experience
. I am just wondering if there are gradations of the infections.
Most that I have read about had acute flares and ended up in
the hospital with really bad pain.
They say diverticulosis which is without the infection can
cause cramping but given the mucus I feel is some type of
inflammation . I guess I have to find a new dr. and at least get
some type of diagnosis. I think a barium enema may
show the diverticula and is alot cheaper than a Ct Scan.

RockingChick : Yeah that is a good expalnation of a
rolling pain and it does get worse when I need to have abowel movement. I guess I have to get to the bottom of it .

Sbtier: Thanks for the reply, I know what your saying
about being hospitalized .Unfortunealty I already have a bill from
a colonoscopy in december for a different matter.
Problem is the cramping is there everyday so I am
not sure if it is divers. But it being only in the lower left hand
side always points to diverticulitis. I guess I have to
get it looked at.

Thanks again for the replies.

I just went to the doctor today with the same pains.He said the diverticulitus was flairing up,he did not give me anything for it because he said it was only a little mucus and blood,and to call if the bleeding gets bad like befor.The pain has eased up some on my sides.i had a bladder infection,thats what was causing the lower pain.

rita923: interesting,so I guess mucus is
not a sign of infection then? How do you
know when an infection is present other
than a fever which by that time you could have
extensive damage done.

The WBC count will be high if there's an infection. When I was admitted to the hospital my white cells were 16 (11 is the high range), so they knew there was an infection SOMEWHERE.

I found a very comprehensive analysis of diverticular disease
at this site :

http://www.sovegastro.com/pdf/Enfe...

I guess you can be symptomatic with just diverticulosis. You
can have chronic pain and cramping with no infection. Or
have chronic smoldering diverticulitis in which you have very mild
symptoms for a long period of time which you may have been
labeled with IBS. Also talks about using anti-inflammatories
and probiotics to keep you from having reoccurances.I guess
you can have chronic inflammation and be asymptomatic also.

Mine started out with lots of pain in my left side, and I actually saw an "indentation"...still have (that), and I actually called 911 with chest pain at first...middle front and back, horrible pain. ER could not find anything, but then I started getting nauseated, and diarreia, horribly. I was sent home after some nausea meds. One week later, ended up in my Dr's office, unbottened and unzipped pants, I hurt so much! So weak, naseated, and yellow stools all week. Could not stand for long at all. He took a urinalisas, and saw my white count was up, infection. To hospital next day for c scan/dr callled later that day "you have Diverticulitis" and on antibiotics and nausea meds, out of work for week. That is it. I still get intermittant pain, and then the nausea sets in. DRINK LOTS OF WATER...flush with WATER! Go on a liquid diet if it starts up again. WATER WATER WATER. Instant breakfast, whatever. I still have an "indentation" on my left side, I was told this is my "weak spot".

JeffD1,

I think the article you posted is state-of-the art. I am trying to get into Dr. Floch's et al, research at Yale. It is amazing the ranch of problems people have and the symptoms they display. Before this site, I thought most people experienced the same thing I do. There appears no one here like me. With 4 attacks and I am still lucky that I have only been in pain about 14 days total. The rest of the time I am happy as a clam (other than the sick feeling from the drugs - 39 days so far - one to go).

My Docs are still 20 years behind. I have no choice but to strike out on my own. If I get in this study, I may get sugar pills rather than the good stuff. It is a roll of the dice.

4strikes, how did your diverticulitis present itself in the
beginning? I went back to my GI this week and kind of
got ticked off at him. He is acting like I have nothing
wrong but I am in pain and discomfort most of
the week. Since he didn't see any diverticuli during
the colonoscopy in Dec before this problem started occurring
I now have to get another because I don't really know
what is going on but I know it isn't IBS or constipation
.I told him the colonoscopy flared something up My
main symptoms now are constipation and back pain
and lower left pain and cramping. It is controllable to an
extent with enemas and laxatives.
The one thing that is a little unsettling is I have read
of people with very minor symptoms that when they
got a ct scan found out they had abcesses or sealed perforations
but had very minimal symptoms . I think those are atypical
though .