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28 year old Male with diverticulitis anxiety has been out the roof

Posted , 12 users are following.

jcab89
jcab89

Hello im completely new to this but I have been dealing with this for about a month or more. I got diagnosed with diverticulitis 3 weeks ago. It all started with just irregular bowel movements but I honestly was not the healthiest eater so I paid no attention to it untill I had severe abdominal pain on lower left side and slight fever I went to the doctor the next day he immediately thought it was diverticulitis so he ordered a ct scan and metronidozol (flagyl) antibiotics. A week later I got the ct scan came back showing acute diverticulitis and some fluid in pelvis. Doctor didnt seem to be to worried I did feel alot less pain within a few days after taking antibiotics and then he also added cipro antibiotics. Although my pain has reduced it has been awful because I just feel so weird and my anxiety is out the roof bc I lost 20 pounds in 2 weeks and I cant remember the last time I had a normal bowel movement I dont see any blood in stool however I feel like i cant fully evacuate my bowels when I go to restroom and its has been like paste /diarrhea with alot of mucus consistency I have been eating alot less however I recently started feeling well enough to add some sort of solids but I still get such bad anxiety bc it feels like its swollen I been taking probiotics and cbd oil but i have been getting better slowly but today it has been very uncomfortable it feels like its swollen or something and i sometimes even feel it against my bladder I just want to know how long this will take before I can eat normal and have a normal bowel movement. I have gotten to the point where my rectum feels like I have a small cut or something i guess its from all the diarrhea? Im just so overwhelmed with this bc I have never really had health issues before I'm 6'1 was at 256 pounds now I'm down to 235 which is awsome and all but I am ready to be healthy again and I want to go back to the gym, but ever since I have been diagnosed I feel lack of energy fatigue and loads of anxiety bc of the drastic changes. I have a follow up next week with the doc. He also had said that when I'm completely back to normal that he would like to do a colonoscopy and that gave me more anxiety. Will this ever get better ? How long does it take?

0 likes, 33 replies

33 Replies

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  • Guest
    Guest jcab89

    Posted

    I stopped eating much for weeks because i was scared of the pain that was worse at night when my bowel was full and lost lots of weight. Specialist said the infection would be causing the drastic weight loss. Beginning of the year i had flu n lost weight and had fatigue so i guess its all part of bern ill. Even the anxiety and depression are probably a normal response yo physical illness. But im just as puddled as you and i am a bad patient lol
  • vic_07103
    vic_07103 jcab89

    Posted

    Hi Jc

    here’ s a  positive twist on your letter....

    Vic

    I got diagnosed with diverticulitis 3 weeks ago. It all started with just irregular bowel movements but I honestly was not the healthiest eater so I paid no attention to it untill I had severe abdominal pain on ..............................Doctor didnt seem to be to worried I did feel alot less pain within a few days after taking antibiotics and then he also added cipro antibiotics. Although my pain has reduced, THANK GOODNESS BECAUSE I KNOW IT WILL COME BACK IF I DON’T EAT HEALTHY it has been awful because I just feel so weird and my anxiety is out the roof BUT I LEARNED  THAT ANXIETY DOES NOT HELP BOWEL DIGESTIVE STOMACH ISSUES 

    bc I lost 20 pounds in 2 weeks and I cant remember the last time I had a normal bowel movement ............. I have been eating alot less however I recently started feeling well enough to add some sort of solids but I still get such bad anxiety bc it feels like its swollen I been taking probiotics and cbd oil but i have been getting better slowly but today it has been very uncomfortable it feels like its swollen or something and i sometimes even feel it against my bladder BUT I REALIZE THAT IT TOOK MANY YEARS OF UNHEALTHY EATING TO GET ALL OF THIS DIAGNOSIS AND PAIN AND SUFFERING so to  just want to know how long this will take before I can eat normal and have a normal bowel movement IS ASKING FOR A LOT, SO ILL FOCUS ON EATING HEALTHY INSTEAD. I have gotten to the point where my rectum feels like I have a small cut or something i guess KNOW its from all the diarrhea? Im just so overwhelmed with this bc and I am SO FORTUNATE THAT I have never really had health issues before I'm 6'1 was at 256 pounds now I'm down to 235 which is awsome and all but I am ready to be healthy again and I want to go back to the gym, but ever since I have been diagnosed I feel lack of energy fatigue THAT NOW ILL BE TAKING 10 or 15 minutes a day EVERYDAY and GO WALKING  and loads of anxiety bc of the drastic changes WILL BE HELPED WITH THE WALKING!!!I have a follow up next week with the doc. He also had said that when I'm completely back to normal that he would like to do a colonoscopy and that gave me more anxiety BUT THE WALKING WILL HELP WITH THAT!  AND THE COLONOSCOPY WILL GIVE AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS!!Will this ever get better ?  I KNOW IT WILL ...How long does it take?  ALTHOUGH IT MUST BE DIFFERENT FOR EVERY ONE, ITS GOTTA BE SHORTER FOR ME , IM ONLY 28 !  I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE FASTER, GET STRONGER, ALL BECAUSE OF MY YOUTH (younger!!!!) WOW IM SO LUCKY...IT COULD HAVE BEEN SO MUCH WORSE, IM ONE OF THE YOUNGEST ON HERE... DO I have 20 YEARS TO TURN THIS AROUND BY EATING HEALTHY AS MOST PEOPLE HERE ARE OVER 50 AND HAD TO HAVE SURGERY TO REMOVE A FOOT OR MORE OFF THEIR COLON?  I HOPE I DO.  My colonoscopy will show the results....

    • ellen_46197
      ellen_46197 vic_07103

      Posted

      unfortunately this is a lifetime disease you can do things that work for you to prevent a flare up but DD does not just go away I agree you have youth on your side but unfortunately it's not like a cold that passes after time Keep eating well and please let the stress subside I had a foot of my large intestine ( sigmoid) cut out but I have diverticulotis thru out the rest of it so I still could get a flare I am eating what seems to work 4 me probiotics and always lots of water I don't know how far back you can look at this forum but vegetarians who eat tofu super healthy diet end up with DD I hope you get answers your looking for after colonoscopy I'm glad your eating healthy and are getting to a comfortable weight

    • vic_07103
      vic_07103 ellen_46197

      Posted

      Hi Ellen!  I had more than a foot off my colon, due to diverticulitis over five years ago.  My doc told me the chances of you ever getting it again are SLIM.  I’ve moved 600 miles away , have all different doctors—they say the same thing.  I have not had any symptoms in five years, I’ve had no flare ups.  I eat anything I want, but I eat healthy 80% of the time.  My healthy lifestyle doesn’t hurt but the docs all have said this and I’ve read other postings here where other people say the same thing. But they just get off the forum—and they don’t stay on it and keep writing over and over that they’ve never had any symptoms but unfortunately those that do—-like you——keep writing over and over that you do have symptoms!!!!  But NOT EVERYONE DOES😇😇😇...I have diverticulitis and I have no symptoms AT ALL FOR FIVE BEAUTIFUL YEARS.

    • Guest
      Guest vic_07103

      Posted

      Great positive reaction.  As you are USA based I guess, the surgeons are chop happy (and want your money).  You really need to avoid the knife, particularly at your age.  Here in the UK it's totally different - no surgery unless an emergency or absolutely no quality of life.  I have managed fine on pills and diet for 18 years.  Yes, I've had a few flare ups, but that's because I've been complacent and eaten wrong.  So you do need to guard against that.  Also you do need to keep your weight in the normal range for your height.  At 235 pounds you are on the obese range and should normally aim to be below 190 pounds for your height.  But it does also depend on your body type, build and your amount of exercise and muscle - your doctor would advise.

    • vic_07103
      vic_07103 Guest

      Posted

      Hi felinia, I weigh only 145 lbs, I think you have me confused with someone else .  AND, —CHOP HAPPY— LOL 😂 this time we’re glad they did.  It was emergency surgery, life threatening, perforated bowel, sepsis.  Oh without ‘chopping, I would be dead.  I think you have not followed this thread to carefully before you wrote to me?

    • Guest
      Guest vic_07103

      Posted

      You're right - sorry - the message was intended for the poster who was 235 pounds and 6'1".  But in the UK surgery is only ever the last resort, not an elective procedure as it is in the USA.  This forum tends to give people the impression that surgery is far more common and necessary than what actually happens.  This is because the people who get over an attack without surgery stop posting, but those with ongoing problems continue to post and share.  Sadly, like yourself, there are people for whom surgery is the only option, and of course all input is valuable.  But I have come across posts where surgeons are pushing for surgery after just one attack, with no attempt at management with diet and lifestyle changes.  I feel that people need to be aware of all the options to make informed decisions, as it is major surgery, and there are also posts here about complications arising after surgery.  I'm one of the lucky ones, and have managed without surgery, but my cousin was an emergency surgery with complications.

    • vivienne43523
      vivienne43523 Guest

      Posted

      Hi felina, great advice, I have suffered for years too, UK resident and glad I have avoided surgery...it is a life long illness, it does seem in America they like to put you under the knife...not sure this if the best option unless absolutely necessary, I do like this forum it reminds me I am not on my own
  • jtp10243
    jtp10243 jcab89

    Posted

    I had the same thing. took 2 rounds of antibiotics to get better and still felt bad for weeks after.I had a colonoscopy and everything came back clear. after 1 month i still have not had a normal bowl movement. Docs say after DIV, and Antibiotics can take months to get back to normal. worrying about it will make it worse

    try to be calm. 

  • jcab89
    jcab89

    Posted

    I want to thank you all for the responses I have been eating Normal again with no pain just slight pressure and bloating still have diarrhea, I am down to 230 pounds I do have athletic build so I hide my weight well I could use some more weight loss tbh but I want to do it the right way not by starving my body. I went Monday on October 1 to my follow up and doc didnt say much other than to keep taking my antibiotics for another week and to eat whatever I wanted just nothing to unhealthy I still have been keeping away from nuts and corn and most seeds I mean I ate a salad with tomatoes the other day without thinking about the seeds and some zucchini as well buti havent really had any flare ups or anything I do feel it however when it gets to the sigmoidal colon I can hear alot of gas and noises but no pain just slight bloating. The doctor also said that in two weeks he wants another blood test and ct scan and is trying to avoid surgery at all cost due to my age. I started exercising again slowly, he just advised I don't strain with abdomen. Still feeling slight lack of energy and from time to time I get nauseous but over all I am feeling better ! I will keep posted if any changes occur. God bless you guys ! The motivation has helped me tremendously especially from vic! I still get anxiety every morning I really dont know why but I'm fighting it! And this has definitely changed me but I want to say its for the better!

    • Guest
      Guest jcab89

      Posted

      Glad to hear you have a sensible doctor who is taking a conservative approach.  It sounds from what you are describing that you are recovering well.  The lethargy, nausea and tummy rumblings are all part of the recovery - it does take time.  If it helps you to know, I have managed with diet and medication alone for 17 years now.  In the UK very few people have surgery for this condition - only in emergencies.  You will have to be careful for life and it is easy to forget and become complacent - I know the hard way.  It might sound strange but you have been given a warning to get fit and healthy whilst still young, before other nasties can develop.  You will need to keep your bowels well emptied so you might want to ask your doctor about daily Metamucil, or something similar.  I have taken the UK equivalent Fybogel daily for 17 years, prescribed by my GP.  I also take an Aloe Vera gel capsule and probiotics to maintain my gut health.
    • vic_07103
      vic_07103 jcab89

      Posted

      Jc-

      Excellent!  Sounds like you are working hard and making good decisions.  And, congratulations; glad you are on your way to a healthier lifestyle.  

      Vicki (Vic)

  • jcab89
    jcab89

    Posted

    update !so I have been feeling pretty much 100% better been off antibiotics for a little over a week and like a complete idiot I ate some junk food two nights ago and I'm starting to feel a flare up coming on , I'm having trouble with bowel movements again and a constant urgency to urinate not much pain yet. but I have gotten another ct scan done and blood work went to doc today for follow up. and he seemed to ignore it he said I have to eat high fiber diet from now on and I have a scheduled colonoscopy the week after Thanksgiving but that's it I really hope I dont have to go what I went through before again -_-

  • jcab89
    jcab89

    Posted

    does anyone have any suggestions for the urgency to urinate ?

    • Guest
      Guest jcab89

      Posted

      Hi

      A lot of people, me included, find that the the urge to wee goes hand in hand with Diverticular Disease. I used to think I was getting a bladder infection, but mostly the dip strips were clear of infection. I can't offer any suggestions on how to handle it - I just ride out the urgency and it clears up in 48 hours or so.

      You've learned the same hard lesson that most of us do - junk food = inflammation = pain and bowel problems. Hopefully what you have is just an irritation causing inflammation without infection. If you are inflamed, it could be causing pressure on your bladder, making you want to wee. The best way to treat that is give your bowels a rest by following a liquid only diet for 48 hours and give things a chance to calm down. Of course more fluid will make you want to wee more as well!

      If you have an actual infection, they won't do the colonoscopy. But when you first get DD it's very natural to think each pain is an infection, not an inflammation, which is why the 48 hours of fluid helps you to know. If the pain gets worse or you get the fever/chills, passing blood etc you MUST go back to your doctor.

    • vivienne43523
      vivienne43523 Guest

      Posted

      Hi feline, yes I get a lot of urgency to see when the Dd is at its worse......best to get that checked out all the same, hope you well soon

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