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...
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in the UK is now in the process of developing a clinical guideline on diverticular disease. It is intended to assist patients and clinicians when making decisions about treatment, diet and other methods of alleviating symptoms. I am one of the two lay members of the guideline committee and would be interested in the views of patients on how they have managed their own symptoms and what advice they would give to other sufferers. This seems to be a useful forum and I'll be reading it regularly.
More detail can be seen at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/gid-ng10064/documents/final-scope
. I think the first thing to do is distinguish between what is now called Symptomatic Uncomplicated Diverticular Disease and Diverticulitis. The former presents with symptoms more or less indistinguishable from IBS. The latter is the one where there is major inflammation of the diverticulae with fever, severe pain and nausea. In fact some publications suggest Symptomatic Uncomplicated Diverticular Disease may be more common than Diverticulitis
My symptoms are essentially identical to IBS C/D. i am now nearly 69 and clearly had intermittent problems for several years before it became chronic. I was diagnosed 6 years ago after a full colonoscopy and lab investigations (by a Colo-Rectal Consultant). My GP manages me as one would IBS. i permanently have problems with gas, some bloating and discomfort - mainly during the night. Sometimes these can last nearly all day and I find wearing tight trousers makes it worse and triggers spasms.. I have never had bleeding.
I find Mebeverine helps the colic spasms but doesn't stop the wind. I have tried the FODMAP diet under a NHS Dietitian. It didn't stop it but at least I know what makes it worst. It seems to be mainly fructans as in the onion family and all grains except rice. I have tried Fybogel/Mebeverine but the Fybogel just made the wind worse. Probiotics (and Prebiotics) had no effect.
To date I have never had the Diverticulitis Symptoms which begs the question do I have Symptomatic Uncomplicated Diverticular Disease or Late-Onset IBS (the colonoscopy revealed only a few scattered diverticulae)
Hope this helps.