Diverticulitis Support Group
Diverticulitis is a common disease of the bowel, in particular the large intestine. Diverticulitis develops from diverticulosis, which involves the formation of pouches on the outside of the colon. Diverticulitis results if one of these diverticula becomes inflamed. Diverticulitis most often affects middle-aged and elderly persons, though it can strike younger patients as...
(I'm sorry, I just double posted this (in advice) to make sure it was seen). Hello. I am looking for info about chronic diverticulitis. I was dx with diverticulosis yesterday after my colonoscopy. I'm a 45yo female. My symptoms started 7 years ago and I still dont know for sure what is going on. I have endometriosis, so I assumed it was that but now I am unsure. I started developing severe cramping in my lower left abdomen 7 yrs ago, like an acid cramp that gurgles. It goes around to my back. It has gotten progressively worse over the years. To the point of not being able to put weight on my leg, lean forward, wear clothes that touch the area, etc. The length of time the pain lasts has increased as well. At the same time, I put on close to 30lbs, began vomiting regularly in the mornings (awoken from sleep to run to toilet, repeatedly) , switched from constipation to chronic diarrhea, bloating, and just general misery. Also, I started to get an arm rash that comes and goes sporadically. Last year I went on the pill and after a few long months the pain started to improve. Not the vomiting or other symptoms, but the pain was better. Absolutely not gone, but better. But the last 6 months or so the pain has started to come back. I am on a new pill now, but still have pain at least 20 days out of the month. Tylenol, I just discovered, does help. But i wonder if the pill also has anti-inflammatory qualities that helps the tylenol to work. I don't know. Anyhow, the gastro told me everything was normal yesterday, he did not do any biopsies. The nurse told me I had diverticulosis, which has no symptoms. And that maybe IBS causes my symtpoms. I have just read in a pub med article, that diverticulitis gets missed on colonoscopy vs. barium enema. I am embarrassed to ask this new gastro doc if perhaps this is chronic diverticulitis. Do any of my symptoms sound familiar to diverticultis?? I have had many days of writhing in pain in my bed just begging for help. If the symptoms were all due to endometriosis, then wouldn't I have stopped vomiting and had less bloating, etc? Anyhow, I'd be interested in your experiences.Thanks a million!
Posted on 10/31/14, 01:09 pm
Posted on 10/31/14, 01:09 pm
I'm sorry to see that your'e suffering so much pain it must be horrible. My eldest daughter suffers with acute endometriosis and has had it a few years now and managed to have three children throughout. Apparently having children can sometimes assist the endo to fade...but not in this case.
Her pain has been so severe that her body is almost in convulsions/shock . She does have some bloating when it flares up but I'm not sure if she was vomiting with it; I would have to ask her next visit.
Diverticulitus DOES have symptoms..( suffered an acute episode and was in hospital for 4 days on intravenous iron,morphine,oxy-cotton and antibiotics also required a cat scan to see if surgery was required...thankfully not but here are some other traits ,seedy/nausea, belching, reflux, pain in lower left side of abdomen, constipation and or diarrhea ...a very important aid for diverticulitis is high fibre diet...limit or reduce even stop in some cases eating foods with high acid content, seeded foods like grain breads, fruits like tomatoes with the pips...( its the grain seeds or pips from foods that get trapped into polyps around the digestational tract and start an infection) . Symptoms can vary for people. But is important for you to have confidence in your Doctor and if you're not certain look for a second opinion?
I don't know which category my symptoms fall into. And after the colonscopy I thought maybe there could have been some missed diverticulitis, only because of the severe pain in the lower left abdomen. I was only diagnosed with diverticulosis which does not have symptoms apparently. I do avoid all acidic foods naturally. I just don't like them. I know there are certain triggers like lentils, popcorn, etc. But I heard that it was a myth that those foods can bother you, even though it is common sense that it would with diverticulitis. I am so glad you didn't need surgery!!! How is the diet going for you? I like this doctor, he also has very good reviews. I went back to him a couple days ago to review my symptoms and he said it could be IBS. He prescribed me dicyclomine (which smooths out the stomach and it's an antispasmodic) and he had me get probiotics. I am in pain, and super nauseus, and couldn't keep any food down all evening last night. I will continue the treatment til Monday and then call, if the vomiting isn't any better. I don't know how soon these meds would work for IBS, if that is what I have. I feel like my symptoms may be a combination of things. I hope I can eat tonight!!! I will have to look into a high fiber diet.
Thanks so much for your reply!! :))
Your symptoms sound severe and nothing like I have heard of.
I have no clue what you are eating and if you are eating fiber it could contribute to the pain. I have had attacks for probably 25 years and I do know what makes my gut hurt when I am having an attack, fiber gives me horrible pain.
I would be curious if you would try a clear liquid diet for a couple of days. If it doesn't help the pain then I'm thinking you need to go to a Dr. and see what else he can find.
If you are having this pain and the nurse told you, you have Diverticulosis---that should mean you should NOT have Diverticulitis, at least at this time.
Diverticulosis is when you have little pockets in your colon. (no symptoms) Diverticulitis is when the little pockets get inflamed, infected, and can make you horribly sick. It makes me blow up like a balloon.
Diverticulitis is the time that eating fiber can make you feel like you are in pure hell from the pain.
I really hope you feel better and if it is possible get a second opinion . I sort of feel the Dr. is missing something.
This is the diet that comes from the Mayo Clinic and actually web MD says the same thing. You can read about Diverticulitis on these sites.
I did a couple of additions to this diet as far as small meals
Mayo Clinic Diet for Diverticulitis
A diverticulitis diet gives your digestive tract a chance to rest while your doctor treats your diverticulitis.
By limiting yourself to clear liquids and slowly adding low-fiber foods to your diet, your digestive tract has time to heal.
Diverticulitis diet during an attack
During an attack of diverticulitis, your doctor may recommend diverticulitis treatments.
Your doctor may also recommend that you stick to a clear liquid diet for two or three days, or until the pain goes away.
Foods and beverages allowed on a clear liquid diet include: Broth, Clear soda, Fruit juices without pulp, Ice chips, Ice pops without bits of fruit or fruit pulp, Plain gelatin, Plain water, Tea or coffee without cream.
Diverticulitis diet once signs and symptoms begin to resolve
As you start feeling better, your doctor will recommend that you SLOWLY introduce low-fiber foods.
Low-fiber foods include: Canned fruits, Desserts without seeds or nuts, Eggs, Enriched white bread, Fruit juice with little or no pulp, Low-fiber cereals, Milk, Yogurt or cheese without seeds or nuts, Smooth peanut butter, Tender meat, poultry and fish,White rice or plain pasta, noodles or macaroni, Well-cooked vegetables without seeds or skins.
You may need this low fiber diet for 2-4 weeks or more before VERY slowly starting back on the fiber foods.
To much food can also cause a good amount of pain. Eat small meals for awhile, about the size of half of a sandwich.
I wish you the best of luck
NOT when you are having a Diverticulitis attack. Go back and read my last post--It says when the colon is healing from an attack it needs to rest instead of working hard, like it does with fiber. Sometimes it takes a soft diet for 3-4 weeks for the colon to heal. The rule I go by is when I feel bloating or pain, I go to a liquid diet. When there is no more pain, I will start on soft foods.
I think you need a different Dr. please, if you need, don't hesitate to go to an ER.
I wish you the best and I hope this helps.