Posted , 8 users are following.
Diagnosed with DD some 3 years ago however realise I had been suffering for some time prior to this however didnt like to discuss.
Had colonoscopy and 2 sigmoidoscopys which while did not identify any cancer did show DD.
I am now suffering from constant abdominal pain and nausea in the mornings. The pain keeps me awake at night .I also suffer constant diarrhea, and 'accidents' when working/shopping . So embarressing and due to DD I now have had to give up working etc
Recent 2 lots of antibiotics due to flare up however still got abdominal pain.
Recent visit to consultant who has now more or less told me to learn to live with it as nothing more to be done. Im only 57 and a young one at that.
Now have constant pain , faecal incontinence pads which are huge .
and poor quality of life . Cant discuss my problem with friends and family and embarressed about it .
Life not good but at least its not cancer and life threatening
0 likes, 23 replies
52331 caroline57780
Posted
Since that meeting I have had not one flare up and pain free. I take it twice per day.
Scouwegian caroline57780
Posted
Hi Caroline
sorry to hear of your problems, understand your your concerns and embarrassment. I am sure your family and close friends would be understanding if you chose to tell them. Your predicament does make me feel "luckier" about mine. I was diagnosed 12months ago after many undignified tests, colonscopy, cystoscopy, finger prostate exams, xrays etc,. Like you now I realise what it is, I believe that it is something I have suffered from for years but now the frequency and intensity is increasing. The abdo pains are a pain, but alternate between constipation and looseness but not to your extreme. My GP was all over this and had me off to a specialist swiftly. The Consultant himself has DD, so is more understanding, after the Colonoscopy and CTscan he offered me surgery to remove the badly "worn and torn" sigmoid colon. Having had the colonoscopy without sedation I watched the cameras progress with him pointing out each and every diverticular I had no problem accepting his advice. The CT Scan confirmed that one pouch is lying across a blood vessel so may cause issues in time.
I have been told it will be new year at the earliest for the op, because of the constant discomfort I would have it this afternoon if possible, as I find the Tramadol ineffective and do not wish to go on oramorph, found the antibiotics did not help. Suppose I am lucky in that my surgeon is a fellow sufferer and may has more understanding than your GP/Consultant.
Can you get a second opinion, nobody of any age should be told to get on with it and live with the threat of daily "accidents"
Keep your head up and ass down, take care
Steve
Guest caroline57780
Posted
Hi Caroline
I have been living with DD for 15 years and am now 66. I have been taking Fybogel (soluble fibre supplement like Metamucil) all that time and it does help to regulate the bowel movements (BM). My GP also advised me to go gluten free and low fat. Both made an enormous difference and I now realise these were trigger foods for my attacks and symptoms. If I slip up and have gluten I suffer within 24 hours.
My last attack was last August and this time the antibiotics did not help at all. After 10 weeks of constant pain I was referred for colonoscopy and CT scan for suspected bowel cancer. Like you I was relieved to be clear. I was first told I had very severe DD and needed a Colectomy, but the Consultant then discharged me without seeing me, saying no treatment needed - this is a benign condition. Not the word I would have used! The GP did not want to see me either - nothing further to add to the hospital!
So I joined this forum to get advice on pain control. Many people recommended pure Aloe Vera juice, which you can get from Holland & Barrett. It is just one tablespoon twice a day. Not nice tasting but it only lasts a few seconds. Within 5 days my pain had subsided to just first thing in the morning until the first BM. Many others reported similar results. I also take 1 mini bottle of probiotic drink. Others have advised against certain foods, like red meat, nuts and seeds and many recommend drinking plenty of water. I also find massage, osteopathy and an old fashioned hot water bottle helps relax the lower body and eases the pain.
Unfortunately there is no quick fix and it can take months for symptoms to subside. I still have 6 - 12 BM per day but now the pain is greatly reduced I find I can cope much better with life in general. It is a work in progress. Basically everyone is different and you have to use trial and error to find out what suits you and your body best. Best wishes.
52331 Guest
Posted
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.
alexandra62000 caroline57780
Posted
52331 alexandra62000
Posted
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.
caroline57780
Posted
ron16143 caroline57780
Posted
52331 ron16143
Posted
tee40171 caroline57780
Posted
Sorry to hear about the down fall of this disease. I think you need to see what foods are causing the accidents and maybe switch your diet up. I know stress causes loose bowels so try relaxing more and worry less. Aloe vera juice and gel is great for the intestines and probiotics 20billion and higher. A fiber diet should help with turning your bowels into a more solid form to eliminate it being running, which causes the accidents.
52331 tee40171
Posted
Tee40171 it's called the North American diet. We consume way too much red meat as humans. I was fighting the 25 grams or more per day of fiber and I was having flare ups every 8 weeks and couldn't take the meds anymore. I went to an outstanding surgeon five years ago ready to go under the knife and he recommended OTC Metamucil. I was shocked and couldn't believe it that an OTC product could stop it. By George the good old Dr was spot on and I never looked back. I still eat what I want but have cut down on the red meats and I stay away from any greasy foods and no fast food junk.
Hope this helps and best of luck to you.
tee40171 52331
Posted
52331 tee40171
Posted
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.
sally03642 caroline57780
Posted
sally03642
Posted
52331 sally03642
Posted
Sally please understand surgery is always last option and even my surgeon stated the same.
In fact it's called the North American diet. We consume way too much red meat as humans. I was fighting the 25 grams or more per day of fiber and I was having flare ups every 8 weeks and couldn't take the meds anymore. I went to an outstanding surgeon ready to go under the knife like you and he recommended OTC Metamucil. I was shocked and couldn't believe it that an OTC product could stop it. By George the good old Doctor was spot on and I never looked back. I've been pain free since that meeting and I still eat what I want but have cut down on the red meats and I stay away from any greasy foods and no fast food junk.
Hope this helps and best of luck to you.
sally03642 52331
Posted
Trust me. I have no intention of having surgery unless absolutely necessary. It wasn't the doctor who was pushing it but rather his nurse assistant. First words out of her mouth were "have you considered surgery?". I said no. Then she suggested I should just meet with a surgeon to learn about the surgery. I said no thanks. Had the doctor taken that approach, believe me I'd find another one for the colonoscopy
52331 sally03642
Posted
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.
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