What is Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis is a common disease of the bowel, in particular the large intestine. Diverticulitis develops from diverticulosis, which involves the formation of pouches (diverticul...
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Living on laxatives
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I was dx with diverticular disease reacently & ended up in hospital as was vomiting & diaroeah, after tests they finally got the bowel moving. Now I am on coloxyl 2 times a day & movitol (supposed to be 3x a day, I take it 2x) & duocol (or similar), again supposed to be 3 times a day, I take it 2 times.
I have been taking the coloxyl 3x but not the others as I got to the point that I was vomiting as well as diaroeah. I couldnt eat or look at food. Now I am taking the other 2 twice daily & I have very loose bowels & frequent (on average 5-6 times a day) & usually in a rush, tummy pain then got to go quick. Thats why dont take midday dose as usually out. On Saturday we were out first thing in the morning (& not near loo) so I didnt take morning doses, forgot night time & woke up early hours sunday in real bad pain. Left side of abdomen was cramping & very painful, I went to the loo & had to sit for a bit then went, again very loose & extremely painful to go. I went back to bed & curled up in pain. I took 3 doses on Sunday & that got me going again & today I took the morning dose & kept going heaps all day. It is very loose & generally yellow type colour & stinks. (sorry if too graphic). Today I took it this morning & only just got to work (after at least 4 goes in hour before I left home). I kept getting pain in abdomen & having to get to the loo as quick as I could (not easy ona walker). I dont want to be reliant on laxatives & dont like how they make me go too often but the alternative with pain etc is not really an option either. I am confused on if this means that it is turning into an attack or is it just how I am going to have to live now. Should I be wanting more investigations or just live on laxatives & the loo & hope it doesnt get worse. Posted on 11/02/09, 02:11 am |
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I'm not an expert, but it is my understanding that enema's, colon cleansing and laxatives, etc. should not be used by anyone with diverticulitis. And any of these can cause the pain you are experiencing.
Do you get extremely constipated? Blockage? Has surgery been recommended? Are you taking antibiotics? I can not see taking these meds long term. Has your doctor talked with you about fiber and what foods to eat, exercise, water intake, alternatives? 
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I was very badly constipated & had a blocked bowel which is why they put me on laxatives. Said that the constipation & diverticular pockets being full were causing me the pain so to avoid constipation take the laxatives. They are trying to avoid surgery as I have had bowel surgery before & didnt heal well at all.
All the Dr's have said is increase fruit & vegetables & drink plenty of water which I already do. They did say they dont want me on them long term but have not given me any guides as to what to do when. In the hospital they are very quick when they do their rounds. I have no follow up appt with gastroenterologist yet so waiting for the appt. I am going to gp this week so will be asking her too. I am not on antibiotics as just finished 2 courses so they dont want me to take more yet.
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It doesn't sound like you are getting much information. Your diet and water intake is very important. This is what I eat that helps me. You can not eat like this during or right after an attack. Those foods are different. But here is a typical day for me. Eat small amounts.
High fiber cereal (Kashi) and fruit, or oatmeal & blueberries Large salad, or bowl veggie soup, or 1/2 turkey whole grain sandwich w/cup soup/salad Fish or chicken baked or grilled with salad and cooked fresh vegetables In between meals I might eat an ounce of cheese, fruit, or yogurt. Slowly adding fiber and water helps with the constipation. A gastroenterologist can better answer your questions and should be guiding you. If you have not had a colonoscopy, perhaps you should when safe to do so after an attack. I'm sure others here can offer their ideas. Let me know if I can be of help. As I said, no expert here. But there seems to be a lack of information for many out there. Beth
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