1. Community
  2. Gut, bowel and stomach
  3. Diverticula

Advice appreciated

Posted , 6 users are following.

eamon15607
eamon15607

Hi everyone I am new here and after reading some of the topics here thought it would be good to see if anyone can relate to the experience I am going through, offer thoughts, opinions or advice.

I am 33 years old and it seems  that the pieces are begining to slot together that show symptoms I went to the drs for since a child and in to my teens were in fact part of something going on in my gut. I always had "morning problems" as I would call them; stomach cramps, diarhea and nausea and later devloped psoriasis and chronic tiredness (i only found out recently that these can be related). Over time, all of these symptoms I learned to treat as "normal" as the Drs never made a diagnosis and somehow didn't make a connection between my various complaints. Then a few months ago I had what I thought was a stomach flu; Heavy fever, chills, diarhea, nausea and passing what seemed like quite a lot of blood. Health proffesionals advised to watch out for any emergency signs until I was able to see a Dr, which I did. It all started to ease off after about 5 days - 1 week and I had blood tests carried out. The results showed dvericulitis, which the Dr said quite casually without expressing any concern, explaining that it was because I had an underlying case of diverticulosis.

Since this bout of Diverticulitis, I have had much worse stomach symptoms. It has really begun to interupt my normal routine and I have had to take time off work because of it. I went to the Drs and after some more blood tests to rule out other more serious conditions (such as celiac disease), the conclusion was IBS. I was happy enough with this conclusion although I just can't help think that there must be a link between the Diverticulitis and my symptoms, which at times (especially recently) are constant from the moment I wake up until I sleep again; constant bloating and gas, quite a lot of discomfort and some occasional cramps/sharp pains, some nausea and frequent diarhea (the last 2, especially in the morning).

Something else on top of this, is that last week I found a lump in my groin which the Dr diagnosed as a hernia. I am scheduled to see a surgeon next week who will advise me on the procedure to fix it. I don't know if this is related to all the above, but something tells me it quite possibly is.

So thats a brief description of the problems  I've been having and I just wonder if other people may have any simillar experience that might help me work out what is going on and what I should do. Should I be asking the Dr to investigate the diverticulosis more thoroughly or is a more relaxed approach OK? I'm also interested if anyone has tips or advice on diet. At this stage it is all fairly new to me and I just want to get my life back in control.

One last thing I'm curious about is the following. I have had 2 examinations now where the Dr pressses on my stomach in various places and on my right hand side it is always very painfull when he puts pressure on and/or taps. I have a high pain threshold but during the last exam I was whincing and my eyes watering from the pain... is this normal?

Thanks for taking time to read this.

Eamon

0 likes, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • jacqueline01135
    jacqueline01135 eamon15607

    Posted

    Sounds as though a colonoscopy would be a good place to start .either to eliminate or prove the divuticulosis .Sadly this means that you have to go through the 

    tedious referal process. Good luck with that one.

  • Merryl
    Merryl eamon15607

    Posted

    Hi, I have diverticulitis and spent 7 days in the hospital 4 years ago on drips after heavy bleeding and diarrhea and horrendous pain. That was my first bad attack but I think I had it for a long time but did'nt connect it when I was having bouts of diarrhea. The consultant told me I could have IBS as well, so it seems you can have diverticulitis and IBS. I had an attack over christmas but not as bad as the first attack and no bleeding this time. It is an awful thing to have and make you feel weak. I am more constipated than anything else.

    When your Dr press on your stomach perhaps the inflamation is still there that's why it hurts.

    Hope your symptoms clear up soon. 

      

  • eamon15607
    eamon15607

    Posted

    Thanks Jacqueline, Merryl for your replies it ishelpful to hear these points of view.

    Strangely enough, shortly after posting the initial discussion I actually had a 'flare up', a day or so later. It came on so suddenly while at the office and the next day I was so ill. Everything was the same as the first bout I mentioned before except this time no blood and no diarrhea - just constipation which lasted a day and a half. 

    Something good though has come out of this in that I went to the doctor during the worst point (this was not easy) and he actually thought it was appendicitis so sent me to A&E. After examinations by several different drs and nurses the hospital staff concluded it was not the appendix but the colon and have recommended to my dr that I should see a specialist and have a thorough examination and colonoscopy. So still a little unclear what it is I am suffering from at the moment but should no more soon.

     

    • jacqueline01135
      jacqueline01135 eamon15607

      Posted

      as you were "in the building " I.m surprised you were not sorted with 

       the anti biotic drip regime instead of prolonging the agony ,you  

      wouldbe better by now.

      Don't know which hospital you attended, but their knowledge  appears

      sadly lacking.

      It's 7 days since you posted ,how far have you got ?????

    • eamon15607
      eamon15607 jacqueline01135

      Posted

      Although I am from England, I now live in Holland, so a Dutch hospital. I think their logic was that the dr had referred me for appendicitis, so they were more monitoring for that to determine if they needed to operate or not. It was Friday night and it was very busy, but still a bit of a joke... We were there for 5 hours in the end and left not knowing any more than when we stepped in

      So when I first posted I didn't have the fever or anything, but that happened Thursday afternoon. Four days on and I still feel bad, but much improvement. Very little energy!

  • marilyn64827
    marilyn64827 eamon15607

    Posted

    Hello Eamon just want to say dont take any chances get proper diagnosis of what`s causing you`re problems and get tested for diverticular disease.My husband  had heart disease and vascular problems.He had quadruple heart by pass 20years ago then had stroke in 1999 which left him partially disabled.He also had bowel issues for years which was put down to taking a lot of medication.He would take laxido on a daily basis for many years  to help with constpation but then also took loperimide for diarrohea on regular basis.He was never diagnosed with bowel issues but was on these medications for years.He was in hospital 3 times in last 4 months with stomach pain and bleeding which was put down to haemmoroids(he was 67  so had regular checks for bowel cancer)last check was only a few months ago.To cut a long story short I lost him on 1st Dec after being discharged from hospital 2 days previously.The coroner decided autopsy had to be done and i received post mortem report a few days ago,It was found he had severe diverticular disease and died due to peritonitis which they tell me is rare dont take any chances my husband was in and out of hospital many times over the years and saw his gp on regular basis yet no one even thought to check him for this disease.He had diverticulosis and had perforated diverticulum no tumour was present only severe diverticular disease they couldn`t find exactly where the perforation was as he had obviously had this disease for years which if diagnosed could have been managed.It`s only since I lost him and got post mortem results i`ve researched this disease and he had all the classic symptoms so many things clicked in to place in my head.I dont want to scare or worry anyone with this post just want people to be aware of how bad this disease can get if no one bothers to investigate symptoms.His problems were diagnosed as haemmoroids.Dont be fobbed off by doctors if you yourself have bowel issues get tested for this,I for one knew nothing about it until it was too late..

    Best regards,

    Marilyn..

    • Merryl
      Merryl marilyn64827

      Posted

      Hi Marilyn, sorry to hear about your husband. I don't know if you read my post above  but I ended up in hospital with this condition. Looking back I have had diverticulitis for years and just thought it was an upset stomach.The pain during an attack is horrendous. I had an attack over christmas and again a week later but no bleed this time. I did'nt know that it can cause peritonitis. I also take laxido when constipated which is very often. When I left the hospital a week later after bleeding quite a bit. the Dr didn't tell me how to manage the diverticulitis. She just said phone an ambulance straight away if you bleed again. It is an awful thing to have.      
    • marilyn64827
      marilyn64827 Merryl

      Posted

      Hi Merryl thanks for you`re reply.I still dont fully understand this disease but from everything i`ve read I now know my husband had this for years.As he had heart and vascular problems and also copd anytime we were at doctors these were the things they checked out most.When bowel problems were mentioned (which was quite a lot)the doctors never seemed concerned.Was all put down to medication or haemmoroids,I just dont understand why no doctor investigated further as he had ALL the classic symptoms for years.His death was unessesary if he had been diagnosed we would at least have known about this disease and his symptoms managed better over time and would not have ended up with peritonitis.He had bad bleeds regular and think he was examined on a few occasions but only doctor with his finger.He was never offerred any investigations like colonoscopy or scan.Was just given more laxido and loperimide.He was in agony last few weeks was practically  bedridden was rushed into hospital twice and was treated with iv anti biotics and morphine.He was so ill also on oxygen couldn`t move hardly they said he had infection in stomach.They took blood etc his blood pressure was so low it was very worrying,he couldn`t eat he had accidents with bowel and also had blood in his urine.Sorry to go on but I find it hard to accept he was seen by so many different doctors and not one ever tested him for this and he had all the classic symptoms.Everyone assumed he died f rom heart attack due to his history except the coroner he should never have been discharged from hospital.I have all the notes and records from coroner and hospital and also want gp files to as i.m taking this further.Its a very rare thing to happen and wont bring him back but I will prove medical negligence from numerous sources I have to do it for him.Not interested in compensation just want to do this to prove the incompetence and ignorance of certain people in medical profession.We had over 30 years together I have to do it for him and to let other people know how important it is to be properly diagnosed if they think there may be chance they are suffering with this disease and can be managed..His death was so unecessary and he suffered so much pain in the last month of his life.

      Best regards Merryl take care of yourself and hope you dont have to many flare ups and youre problems managed better.

      Marilyn.

    • Merryl
      Merryl marilyn64827

      Posted

      Hi Marilyn, I don't blame you for taking it further. I can't believe they did not do a colonoscopy. I had a colonoscopy 6 weeks after I left the hospital and was then diagnosed with diverticulitis. I was bleeding all night at home and should have phoned for an ambulance but left it until the next day. If it happens again I will phone for the ambulance straight away. The pain is dreadful, so I know what your husband went through. I had a few accidents with this too. When I left the hospital the staff did not tell me how to manage it, so I still have'nt got a clue. I know you should avoid seeds pips etc but that is all. By the way I am 68 near your husband's age.  

      You look after yourself too as you come to terms with losing your husband which must be very hard to do. Take care. 

    • eamon15607
      eamon15607 marilyn64827

      Posted

      Hi Marilyn,

      I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Thank you though for sharing your story, it really does highlight the importance of greater understanding of this condition. I have to say as well that so far my experience with these problems so far has never involved a pro-active approach from the medical proffesionlas I have sought advice. There seems to always be a "wait and see" approach from drs and if your symptoms dont exactly mirror whats in the oficial medical description of a certain condition, they find it hard to believe there's anything wrong at all. It seems a very strange approach to me and it sounds like your husband has been let down in this way. I am now waiting to see the specialist who will hopefully do a colonoscopy and I will make sure I push for them to do it if it seems like they might decide its not necessary for some reason (hopefully this wont be the case but you never know). At this stage just hoping its nothing too serious as really whatever it is I have, has been left undiagnosed/untreated for a long time. Quite some time has passed since I first started complaining to the doctor as a child about all the stomach aches and diahrea I was having.

      Marilyn, I wish you strength in coming to terms with your loss. Take care.

    • marilyn64827
      marilyn64827 eamon15607

      Posted

      Thank you Eamon and you must insist on colonoscopy as doctors dont seem to interested in this disease I only wish we had known about it I wouldve pushed for proper diagnosis.IBS was mentioned by gp a few times and would just prescribe more laxido and loperamide..He was on these for years and years,I now know that it was definately this he suffered from,always seemed odd to me he needed medication to make him go to toilet and then different meds to stop him going.Im just surprised at how common this is and disgusted at how the medical proffesion are so laid back about it and have the "wait and see" approach or diagnose IBS without further investigation.In the 3 months before he died he was in and out of hospital 3 times if they had done colonoscopy he would probably still be here but his problems just got worse and ended up with abcess in sigmoid region,he also had lots of other pockets of disease in his bowel as well.His last few weeks were awful and real agony for him could hardly even get out of bed,stopped eating was vomitting a lot,sorry if i`m repeating things ive said before but cant come to terms with whats happened as its manageable disease IF diagnosed.Please take care and I hope you get diagnosis and treatment you may need..He survived 4 heart attacks,quadruple heart by pass,Stroke,also had by pass in his groin and also carotid artery by pass to be taken by something like this.Take care Eamon and best wishes to you on getting diagnosis for youre problems...

       Marilyn...

    • tee40171
      tee40171 Merryl

      Posted

      That is soo true, the doctor do not tell you how to manage it.  This disease go undetected most of the time. I found out I had it through a flare up as well and was hospitalized for 2 days. Pain medication doesn't work. All that helps when a flare up occurs is a liquid diet and rest.

       

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.