Diverticulitis Flare Up
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I was diagnosed with diverticulitis in October 2014 after an emergency admission which had been misdiagnosed for 3 days as a bladder infection.
I had complications with an abscess and a small perforation.
I was kept nil by mouth for 4 days in case they needed to operate and fit a stoma, which I narrowly avoided.
I had a sigmoidoscopy 2 weeks after leaving hospital but it had to be terminated at my descending colon due to the amount of pain it was putting me through.
Apart from the initial debriefing after this I haven't heard a thing, no follow up appointment. Unassuming everything was ok.
Anyway, 6 months on I have been ok until this week.
I have pain, nausea when I eat, feel drained and tired and I also have diarrhoea as well as bad reflux to the point it is burning my throat.
I have been given antibiotics to ward of any infection.
The worst thing is the feeling that you are on your own because it really gets to you.
I am trying not to panic as this makes the symptoms worse.
Is what I am feeling normal? It's really getting me down even after 2 doctors have told me that my bowel seems to feel ok in that there are no lumps and bumps that shouldn't be there.
Any help would be appreciated.
0 likes, 11 replies
hydro andyglavesy
Posted
tee40171 andyglavesy
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Unfortunately many people with diverticulitis is left feeling like they are on there own because outside of the antibiotics the doctors really don't know what to do. This blog is the best place you could have come because people on here can give you there advice based on there expericence. Me personally had to figure it out on my own through trial and error. I will say that first you will need to do a short term liquid diet whenever you experience pain or a flare up. Your system is very sensitive during that time and needs rest from processing food. Drink plenty of water and slowing introduce you system back to fiber and solid foods. Take probiotics everyday to restore the good bacteria because antibiotics distroys the good bacteria which is needed in your gut. As you eat certain foods and you notice it doesn't agree with you then you must eliminate them. I hope this is at least a start to helping you understand this condition.
alexandra62000 andyglavesy
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Sally2904 andyglavesy
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I was experiencing dreadful pain recently and my GP said it was just a "flare up" but I knew the pain was worse than that
Straight to A&E and got sorted
Seems my GP got it wrong
Don't wait....get some help!
Take Care
appendectomy andyglavesy
Posted
I agree if you don't feel right go a and e. Especially if you not had your bloods checked. They will do set of bloods, pending results ct with contrast or MRI if they suspect perforation or abcess. This is what I do when I feel flare coming on. At least I know from bloods if I ruptured or not. A flare is not necessarily something that will respond to antibiotics. Two separate studies have shown no signs of reduced period of sickness in uncomplicated diverticulitis when antibiotics and place bo were used. The time frame for recovery was the same for both antibiotics and placebos. However if you have complications you might run fever, above 38 degrees. You will have raised inflammatory markers on your blood test. This warrants antibiotics and even surgical input. With complications I mean perforation, abscesses, fistulas. This is the complicated stage they speak of.
There is a condition referred to as smouldering diverticulitis where you have ongoing symptoms for 6-12 months. Pain, fatigue, nausea. In a study they resected some of these patients, surgery. Took out affected part. Disection showed both acute and chronic inflammatory changes in the colon. One even had a hidden abcsess! None had clinical signs of diverticulitis! No fever, normal ct normal blood levels. But as you said you been fine for some time I don't think this is applicable to you right now.
I also get constipated , not realising. Its not difficult to go toilet, normal in every sense but my intestines must be slowing down. Make sure you look after that area too. Watery diarrhoea can be owerflow. If there's mucus it might be IBS or a infection. Another thing, I walk bent over. Can't sit up or lie stretched out. It hurts just to rest my arm on stomach. Stomach swells up. Nauseated. Low grade fever, below 38.
It sucks to have this divertricular disease.
jacqueline01135 andyglavesy
Posted
Probiotic capsules from the Health shop . Fills your colon with good guys that
keep the bad guys under control I started taking the pro--- last August No More Pain,. So, off you go to H&B and tell me how you feel a month from now
appendectomy andyglavesy
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andyglavesy appendectomy
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It was sent to the lab and came back completely clear of any infection, blood, protein etc...
sam52768 andyglavesy
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andyglavesy
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sam52768 andyglavesy
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