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 had surgery last August after being dx with blocked bowel in Oct 09 & diverticular disease early in the year. Had emergency surgery & a horrible recovery with infection & double pneumonia to top it off. Have been followed up regarding pneumonia & have got scar tissue on chest & some infection last time checked in April. Don't have to go back again for that anyway.
Hadn't had any follow up from colaretoral department & asked about it at last appointment. Got a letter on Thursday - before Easter with an appointment at a private clinic on Friday 6 May (at a cost to me). I rang up about it today as didn't understand why being followed up outside the hospital system. Turns out the hospital rung them & asked if they could see me as I had been "overlooked".
Changed date of appointment to one of my days off & just got to hope that I can get a driver from the council to take me.
What has got me worried is that I have been having twinges since surgery & then for the last 2 weeks it has been more than twinges but more like sharp pains again. Today I had real sharp pains generating from the lower abdomen/groin right up to top of tummy actually doubling me over several times. I tried to stand up one time from seat & couldn't do it from the pain that ripped through me.
I have been varying from constipation to going more easily but only when take movicol generally. I have not gone to a more normal pattern no matter what I eat/drink so worrying a bit about what he is going to say.
One benefit of this is I actually see the surgeon that did the operation, normally just see whoever is on in the clinic if seen that way.
Should I be worried about the pains I have been having along with constipation? I don't want to go through the surgery again & would have to be a lot worse than now to do so after last time.
Any ideas on what I should be doing other than diet wise as have been altering diet to easier to digest etc & more water.
Thanks in advance
Hadn't had any follow up from colaretoral department & asked about it at last appointment. Got a letter on Thursday - before Easter with an appointment at a private clinic on Friday 6 May (at a cost to me). I rang up about it today as didn't understand why being followed up outside the hospital system. Turns out the hospital rung them & asked if they could see me as I had been "overlooked".
Changed date of appointment to one of my days off & just got to hope that I can get a driver from the council to take me.
What has got me worried is that I have been having twinges since surgery & then for the last 2 weeks it has been more than twinges but more like sharp pains again. Today I had real sharp pains generating from the lower abdomen/groin right up to top of tummy actually doubling me over several times. I tried to stand up one time from seat & couldn't do it from the pain that ripped through me.
I have been varying from constipation to going more easily but only when take movicol generally. I have not gone to a more normal pattern no matter what I eat/drink so worrying a bit about what he is going to say.
One benefit of this is I actually see the surgeon that did the operation, normally just see whoever is on in the clinic if seen that way.
Should I be worried about the pains I have been having along with constipation? I don't want to go through the surgery again & would have to be a lot worse than now to do so after last time.
Any ideas on what I should be doing other than diet wise as have been altering diet to easier to digest etc & more water.
Thanks in advance
My Recovery has not been without a few Bumps to be sure, but I have not suffered Constipation, That had been a Huge Fear for me as from what I have heard it is Common.
I have No Advice, Just want you to know I am Out here, thinking of You..saying a Prayer that this Resolves for you soon.
Please Keep in touch with us, let us know how you are doing..
Last 2 days I have been back to getting stomach rumbles then pain & rush to toilet for bowels again. Very frustrating for sure.
Trying not to worry about it too much & hope not focus on the issues.
Thanks to all,
Hugs to all
Like Cap and Dakota, sorry to hear you've had a setback. Sharp pains are worrying, for sure. But you're right on it - being proactive about seeing the right doctors. Stay strong.
I wonder if this is one of those times that a couple days on clear liquids might set you straight. It worked wonders for me a couple times. Then a gradual advance in diet - to full liquids, then to bland foods, etc..
Good luck and keep us posted.
Today woke with real bad stomach pain constantly, have been constipated for few days then go with pain now today cant stop going & it is very painful before & after. No relief with going which I would have thought/hoped it would.
Just wanted to update, will update when home again from surgeon.
Got a council driver at least so wont take so long. No luck for tomorrow so take about 2 hours to get there so bowels better have eased, thats for sure.
He felt around the abdomen & got quiet a few ouches but said that he couldn't feel any masses which is good. Kept asking if anyone in my family has/had any form of cancer, asked about 3 times in different ways which was a worry. I don't know of any other than a cousin & that doesn't count does it??? He made lots of notes.
He could see the funny side of today finally having the runs after months of constipation.
Has written me a referral for ct scan & blood tests to get urgent. Yeah right, like the hospitals care. I rang one & was told to fax the form in & would receive an appt in mail or phone call. Rang the next hospital & they are booked up till mid June but she put me through to the other hospital (which is actually closer to me) & I got an appt in 2 weeks.
He did say that my insides are a mess with adhesions, the diverticular disease (which could be causing constipation) & residue from previous surgeries. He actually said that the pierced my bowel when they operated & had to sew it up. I didn't know that. He said he would do everything possible to avoid further surgery with the problems I had last time which is a relief.
Overall pleased I went to see him. Felt very comfortable & listened to as well which is nice for a change. He said to call his office once I have appt for ct scan & they will schedule next appt.
Thanks for listening to me & your hints, prayers & understanding. You are a great family.
Now its wait & see what happens after the ct etc.
As usual it never rains but pours, thought I had optic neuritis (part of ms) as having trouble with vision. Saw neuro today & got an appt with eye specialists on Monday as he is very concerned about my lack of vision. never got in on next business day. Hope i's nothing.
Got out of hospital (demanded) last Tuesday as had Mother in law funeral on Wednesday (different story but lot of stress involved, journal sort of updated).
Had to rescedule ct scan so that will now be this coming friday. I am alternating between contipation - which can be 4 days before I go even with help to occasionally cant stop going (has happened 2 days after taking movicol, coloxyl senna tablets & eating licorice) & both stress days.
Still getting pain, varying in how bad most days & varys which side too which is not good. Doesn't seem to matter what I eat or drink & even on the days when I drink more water & flush well it gets worse. Beginning & end of day are worst & waking up with pain too.
I am so over this & don't want to have to do anything for it as still fighting ms flare up & can't see out of 1 eye much at all & can't walk properly etc.
It is hard to prioritise which I get looked at - eyes, ms crap, abdomen & bowel issues, or just ignore the lot & curl under a good blanket (cold here) & watch my favourite things on tv & try not to move LOL.
Still got my sense of humour at least.
I know adhesions can cause a lot of pain but think it may be more than that but hoping thats all it is. Started with adhesions as a problem when I was very young due to appendix & hernia operations so been living with that most of my life (appendix at 2 & hernias from 17 on - have had 6)
At the moment I am mainly constipated even taking movicol regular & drinking heaps of water.
It is a fairly constant pain now with twinges & stabs at other times & actually worse when I have had a bm no matter if it is easy or not.
Having ct scan this Friday & see surgeon next Wednesday for results of it all.
I know I should be paying more attention to getting it looked at but it is all too hard at the moment & that's not a cop out but just too much else going on. Still almost blind in one eye, other one varies, struggling to walk much & fatigue is through the roof. Its all juggling at the moment with Dr appt's, tests & physio etc.
Will update when know any more.
Thanks for all the support here.