New and scared

Hi

really difficult to describe what to expect as it seems everyone has different experiences. I was diagnosed in February this year and it's been hell trying to come to terms with the symptoms, bleeding,pain, trying different foods etc. I have had several very painful flare ups and unable to identify what triggers them. Good luck with your tests my best advice is keep positive as it's not the big C and make the most of life between flare ups.

Rob

Ella ,As for the colonoscopy ,they will offer you various sedation ,,I suggest you ask to be asleep as its quite uncomfortable even with gas and air ----Dont be worried because this procedure isnt to torture you and with luck they will find and repair the problem during the colonoscopy -------Indeed you must concider yourself lucky to be offered the camera as i know most doctors avoid it due to the cost !!!!...you will be fine x x

Hi

Sorry to hear you have suspected Diverticular Disease (DD).  This Forum is full of people who are sharing their experiences to help others.  It's got lots of tips to manage the condition, from diet to pain relief.  I suggest you browse through all the current posts as it will give you so much help.

I was diagnosed 15 years ago after suffering the same symptoms as you - swamping pain, the runs and passing blood.  Passing blood is quite common and may go on for some time, until the infection (Diverticulitis) and inflammation (Diverticulosis) subsides.The pain is usually but not always on the low left side.  I expect you have been given antibiotics and told to follow a liquid diet until the symptoms subside.  I take chicken consumme, apple juice and herbal tea at first, no fibre.  Then I move to meal replacement drinks, home made well blended soup, purees, steamed white fish, plain yogurt.  Then I slowly introduce good soluble fibre in small amounts.  It is a good idea to keep a food diary to see what, if anything triggers pain.  I find a good old fashioned water bottle, and pain killers that the doctor considers suitable, help control the initial pain (depends on any other medication you are taking, or allergies).  I also wear loose clothing.

I have only had 4 flares in 15 years so consider myself lucky.  The letter sent to me by the hospital described the condition as benign - not the word I would have used, but I suppose in a way reassuring.  However once you have the disease it is there for life and has to be managed.  You will need to make some lifestyle changes, and there are things to look at.

Julie1040 made an excellent post about her changes which others have added to.  I made a post about my experiences with Colonoscopy and CT Scan (particularly the home prep beforehand) and others have made similar comments.  Once you are over the acute stage, you are usually recommended to follow a diet high in soluble or easily digestible fibre, but avoiding certain things like nuts, seeds, pips, popcorn, spicy food, which can get trapped in the pouches in your bowel (Diverticula) and trigger the inflammation and infection.

I suggest you start a regime of psyllium husk soluble fibre powder, which your doctor might recommend anyway.  Most of us take it - I get mine on prescription from my GP or it can be purchased online.  Brand names include Metamucil and Fybogel (I think it depends on if you are USA or UK based).  It is taken 1 or 2 times a day in water and bulks/softens stools to make them easy to pass.  Many of us also take pure Aloe Vera juice and probiotics which help fight internal infection naturally and put good bacteria in the gut.  I also went gluten free and low fat.

This is a very manageable disease if you are sensible.  You may go many years without flare ups and should live a normal lifestyle.  I played table tennis to a high standard and walk daily to keep fit.  Yes, there may be hiccups along the way, but you will soon learn what your body is telling you.  You are welcome to ask any questions - in fact you may well be swamped with advice!  Best wishes.

Hi EllaElla. I just read your post and am looking for Julie1040 to read her posts but putting her name in the search bar brings no luck! 

This is Christmas Day and for the last two days I have had pain from DD and a suspected urine infection. The pain from that was awful. I have never had a flare up until now and I suspect it was popcorn I ate about five days ago. 

I really need need to take stock of my diet as I have a medium size gallstone too. and Ann under active thyroid. And The cold I thought I had got rid of has returned with a vengeance making things worse.

This is has been a real wake up call for me and I am determined to look on the junk I eat as poison. 

I have to cut down on carbs and eat more protein so that my fatty liver doesn't increase and I am hoping to reverse that. 

I managed a 'no boozevember' and plan to do a 'dry January' although I've already started. 

Any tips on finding Julie's post would be gratefully received

Elle get on a regiment of psyllium every day. It acts like a laxative and will make you regular and will push all out of your colon. When your colon is clean your not going to get Diverticulitis.

Psyllium is mainly used as a dietary fiber to relieve symptoms of both constipation and mild diarrhea and occasionally as a food thickener. Research has also shown benefits in reducing cholesterol levels.

The plant from which the seeds are extracted tolerates dry and cool climates and is mainly cultivated in northern India. Psyllium products are marketed under several brand names, such as Metamucil, Fybogel, Konsyl, and Lunelax.

Merry Christmas🇺🇸

Ella I have a colonoscopy every 2 years based on my genetic history. The hardest part is the prep and to make it easy for yourself just get next to the bathroom because once you start taking all the laxatives and prep solutions. Your going all the time until your cleaned out. The biggest fear you will have is the unknown and zero experience with it and that's why you are here to get some advice and feel relaxed. Your Dr will give you some great pics of your infected area of DD and also show any polyps that they will remove. I can tell you I have been pain free for six years all because of taking psyllium products and my colon has no longer any scar tissue in the area I had my flare ups.

Best of luck to you and don't worry your going to be fine.