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Is it diverticulitis?

Posted , 2 users are following.

Lydia1960
Lydia1960

Had to see a gastro specialist because of abdominal pain and a gerenal feeling of unwellness. She suspects that I might have diverticulitis as I have a lot of faeces needing to be passed in my stomach. Have been told to try for a daily movement, so use more laxitives when needed. The discomfort in my stomach feels better after I have passed stools.

Am worried about this disease, as to whether I need tests, like a colonoscopy  to diagnose this condition and rule out other possibilities? Worried about complications related to this disease. Infections too. Do they diagnosed this by urine samples? White blood cells in the sample? Had that recently so worried as to what to do to prevent this occurring again and how to prevent it from developing? Any advice on any of this.

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • linda822
    linda822 Lydia1960

    Posted

    You need to have a CT scan to diagnose Diverticulitis. I had blood in my stools and then during the day and then that night had to go but only passed bloody mucus, then pain started, white count up. Doctor sent me for a CT scan right away the next morning and diagnosis was diverticulosis. I keep telling everyone on this site get the CT scan so you stop wondering what you have and treat the correct problem. I am in week 4, feeling better but not 100%. Doctor wants me to have a follow-up CT tomorrow. I will be getting a colonoscopy end of March, they can't do it until the colon is healed. If it's Diverticulitis you need to do a liquid diet for 3 days then a low fiber for a few weeks so it can heal.  Hope you feel better soon.

  • Lydia1960
    Lydia1960

    Posted

    Thanks linds823. How serious is diverticulitis? My doctor implied that it wasn't such a serious disease, not something to worry about? Haven't seen any blood or mucus. Can a bleed be internal and, if so, what would be the symptoms? What tests would diagnose this? 

    what is the long term prognosis for this condition? To be taken seriously, surely? Would that urine sample that I gave, which showed an increase of white blood cells needing antibiotics to clear it up, would that have indicated that this might be diverticulitis?

    Suffer from IBS and quite a few other ailments, so difficult to know which symptoms are indicating which possible condition, but I will speak to the manager of my GP practice because the GPs appear to be neglecting my health..  thanks again for this answer...

    • linda822
      linda822 Lydia1960

      Posted

      As far as I know you must have a CT Scan to confirm Diverticulitis. It is serious and frequently requires surgery. Some people only get one episode but usually there are flare ups. Mine was serious and required antibiotics and i am having a follow-up CT this morning. Not sure who I said this to before but I would insist on the CT scan to confirm what you have.
    • Lydia1960
      Lydia1960 linda822

      Posted

      What are the symptoms? I have a discomfort in my stomach and have been prescribed additional laxative to try and have a daily movement. 

      What happens if if you have this disease and it is not diagnosed? The GP s seem reluctant to put me forward for further tests even though the gastro specialist suspected this disease. How can it affect you long term? Especially if not monitored?

    • linda822
      linda822 Lydia1960

      Posted

      It may not be DD if your only symptom is stomach discomfort.If there is an infection and it goes untreated it can be dangerous.  I was very sick, out of work. The doctors should not be guessing what you have, but ordering test to figure it out. Are you in the US? I have noticed here that people outside of the US seem to not be treated agressively for Diverticiulitis or even sent for testing to get a diagnosis.
    • Lydia1960
      Lydia1960 linda822

      Posted

      I went to the gastro specialist because a doctor felt a swelling in my stomach and there was quite a bit of discomfort and pain there at the time. The gastro specialist said I had a lot of faeces to get rid of and gave me an additional laxative to try and have daily movements.

      My stomach feels quite full until after a stool movement when it improves. The specialist also suggested I had early satiety which, again, I am not sure how serious that is because the doctors appear reluctant to give any proper advice on this. I also had, about a month ago, white blood cells in my urine sample.. given antibiotics for that..

      What symptoms would indicate DD? I'm based in England and do not have good relations with my local GP surgery as they have been neglecting to act upon the serious symptoms, on other matters too, that I have been reporting. Just wondering if there are notes in my medical records that warns them I am a 'difficult patient..?'...

    • linda822
      linda822 Lydia1960

      Posted

      Mine started with blood in my stool in the morning by that evening pain in lower abdomen with the feeling I had to go but only mucus with blood would pass , constipation for a day or so then loose frequent bowels, fever, chills, fatique, no appetite. Put on a liquid diet for first 3 days then a low residue until I finished 10 days of antibiotics. I was in bed for 6 days then a slow recovery mostly due to fatique. It has taken 6 weeks for my digestive tract and bowel to recover. I am currently taking a probiotic to help that per my doctors orders.My doctor had me come in the day after it started and immediately ordered a CT scan which confirmed Diverticulitis and another scan 4 weeks later to make sure it resolved which it did. I don't understand why this disease is handled so differently between the US and UK. Doctors here are aggressive in treating it.

    • Lydia1960
      Lydia1960 linda822

      Posted

      Is that the normal way that this disease is recognised? Starting with

      blood in your stools? Is a urine infection with white blood cells an

      Indicator of this too? I have spoken to my doctor before and

      Requested a test but was told there was nothing to worry about

      As it wasn't a serious disease. I think I'll make a request to the

      Manager and see if she can prompt things. As you illustrate it

      Definitely is a very serious condition that needs attention...

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