Diverticular Bleed
Posted , 12 users are following.
I have had diarrhea and rectal bleeding for a month and discomfort (but not pain) lower left side. I went to see my GP and she ordered blood and stool samples. A few days later I woke up in blood stained sheets and when I got up blood was running down my legs. I called 111 and was told to go straight to A&E. They kept me in all day on an IV drip as I was dehydrated with sluggish circulation and later discharged with antibiotics Co-Amoxiclav and a letter for my GP saying Diverticulitis/IBD?
Flexible sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy/CT scan have been booked for 31 October. Despite the antibiotics, the diarrhea and bleeding continue and although I am drinking lots of water, I have a continually dry mouth. This is the first time I have ever experienced anything like this and am naturally very concerned. I don’t quite understand what is happening. Are the antibiotics to take away the inflammation? Will the bleeding continue until the inflammation is gone? I read somewhere that diverticular bleeds usually stop on their own. Is a month a long time for bleeding to continue? I am trying to be positive but feel very run down and 31 October seems like a long way away for the tests. Any advice please?
1 like, 40 replies
sunni13905 cjb106
Posted
I was in the same boat most of aug into sept.I was diagnosied with DIVI after a CT SCAN. A week after the scan went from Diverticulosis to Diverticulitis when I had a terrible flare up. I bled various amounts for over a month, runs, abdomen pain. Was put on Anti's right away for 10 days. Symptoms never went fully away. After 2 weeks of bleeding went to clinic and gp said it could be internal piles that bust when you have a bm. If you are having a flare up of Divierticulitis the best thing to do is go liquid for the first part to give your bowels a break. They will love you for it. Then slowly introduce small low fibre easily digestable meals (mashed eggs, mashed potatoes.. etc.) Then when that's going good high fibre all the way. Don't rush each stage, this can take a while so be patient. Also a good thing is to keep a food journal. I'd be lost without mine. It helps keep track of what can cause flare ups. Some of my triggers are red meat and any berries with seeds. I drink an enormous amount of water but I also drink peppermint tea and kefir probiotic milk. Probiotics are great for DIVI sufferers.
Another useful tip.. if your suffering from pain and stinging in the nether region from all the going..Baby bottom cream works wonders!
I've been scheduled for my first colonoscopy in November. The bleeding stopped near the end of september, but am currently on my second round of anti's as the gastro doc said I never got clear of all the infection from the first flare up. You have come to the right place for advice. I've learned soooo much from the people on this forum.
Good Luck
Sunni
cjb106 sunni13905
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I was given no instructions about diet either at the hospital or by my GP but haven’t wanted to eat much anyway. I don’t eat meat as I am a lifelong vegetarian. My normal diet contains lots of fruit and vegetables and I never have constipation so I am a bit puzzled as to why I suddenly have this condition. I am 60 so maybe it’s just age.
I have been under A LOT of stress lately and wonder if that triggered it. But from what you have said it could also be food related.
Since the diarrhea and bleeding started I have just been eating things like a bit of scrabbled egg or avocado and having a cup of vegetable stock each day to try to get some salt into my body plus lots and lots of water. I have cut out milk and milk products. I think the inflammation in my colon must be inhibiting water absorbtion causing the dehydation and continuing diarrhea.
I will take your advice about diet and start a food diary but wondering what liquids I can have that wlll give me some energy. I feel so tired. Would a powdered protein drink be ok do you think?
Jokuar cjb106
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Have you heard from GP on results of stool and blood tests? These alone are also not definitive but they can tell the degree of inflammation present.
Good luck and take care.
Pete
cjb106 Jokuar
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linda15751 cjb106
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about diverticula diesease.of your doctor.
it tells you a far amout about it.
i have not had bleeding but a lot of pain every where in my stomach'
i had to ask the doctor about it a bit more because it can be worrying.
try not to worry .if you are that worried phone the doctor and tell him it is worrying you and see if he can explain it better. i still have pain every where in my stomach .
it is from all the wind.that divercula dieases can cause.i think stress can make the pains worse
cjb106 linda15751
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jacqueline01135 cjb106
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admitted immediately ,put on intravenous antibiotics, and a blood test done to
see if is raised, as it shows how bad the inlflamation is.
There is normally LOTS of pain with a divi flare, so it may be something else
If you are feeling really awful, phone for an ambulance
And yes, stress is not good for you
cjb106 jacqueline01135
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MELEKIE cjb106
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cjb106 MELEKIE
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"What is diverticular bleeding?
Diverticular bleeding occurs when pouches (diverticula ) that have developed in the wall of the large intestine (colon) bleed. If you have these pouches, you have a condition called diverticulosis.
Diverticular bleeding causes a large amount of blood to appear in your stool. Bleeding starts suddenly and usually stops on its own. Abdominal (belly) pain usually does not occur with the bleeding.
If you have a large amount of blood in your stool, see a doctor right away. It is possible, but not common, to quickly lose so much blood that you become lightheaded or weak.
What causes diverticular bleeding?
The reason pouches (diverticula) form in the colon wall is not completely understood. Doctors think diverticula form when high pressure inside the colon pushes against weak spots in the colon wall.
Normally, a diet with enough fiber (also called roughage) produces stool that is bulky and can move easily through the colon. If a diet is low in fiber, the colon must exert more pressure than usual to move small, hard stool. A low-fiber diet also can increase the time stool remains in the bowel, adding to the high pressure.
Pouches may form when the high pressure pushes against weak spots in the colon. Weak spots are where blood vessels pass through the muscle layer of the bowel wall to supply blood to the inner wall.
Bleeding occurs when the blood vessel going to the pouch breaks open.
What are the symptoms?
Diverticular bleeding usually causes sudden, severe bleeding from the rectum. The blood may be dark red or bright red clots. In most cases there is no pain, and the bleeding stops on its own."
One of my concerns is that I do eat a high fibre diet and wouldn't appear to be a candidate for this condition but as I am 60 it could be an age thing. Or maybe it's something else completely. I'll find out in 11 days or sooner if things get worse.
sunni13905 cjb106
Posted
I could also be a case study for the bleeding. The amount varied from day to day but there wasn't any pain associated with it. I agree with thinking the anti's are causing the diarreha. Have had severe case both times I was on them so far.
cjb106 sunni13905
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MELEKIE cjb106
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jacqueline01135 MELEKIE
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to find a caring consultant. I have severe Diviticulitis,and left to cope
with it by myself. Have you had a Colonoscopy. ? That is THE
procedure that shows everything in your colon,CT scans ,I have been told do not show everything in detail.
There is no cure for Divi, only removal of the worst pieces.
hope your outcome will not be as bad as you are expecting ,
It is a serious problem,and cannot be ignored, plus, it will not let
you ignore it
Good luck, sounds as though you have found a sympathetic
consultant. AT LAST
cjb106 jacqueline01135
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jacqueline01135 cjb106
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drip fed kept the infection local, The camera job can be atad uncomfortable
but you can watch and ask questions No one was with me so I could not have the sedation, but the laughing gas is O.K And you can go home fairly quickly (after a cup of tea ) and, the nurse or doctor who does the job, usually tells you what is found . If you get a choice !!!!!!!!
ask for the flexi. which is only half way look,and takes very little time
Good luck,and don't worry
cjb106 jacqueline01135
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MELEKIE jacqueline01135
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MELEKIE cjb106
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jacqueline01135 cjb106
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we all have bits of advice to offer, that's why it's "Good To Talk ""
You will only feel a tad uncomfortable when they put the air in, Ask lots of questions about what you see,they don't mind
jacqueline01135 MELEKIE
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farts with the drinks and smokes. Age of course is an east get out answer
but I do believe that stress contributes to the condition.
You are quite depressed which doesn't help. May I suggest that you ask
your G.P for a referal to the Stress management department ,I have been going for a few months now, and find it really helpfull, it can't
hurt, and you will be able to whinge your head off, as I do sometimes
One thing M you have us now to "talk" to and help where we can
I think veggies and fruit don't help the condition, so read up on the
goodies, and the baddies, and some cereals are frowned upon by our colons.
jacqueline01135
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jacqueline01135 MELEKIE
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MELEKIE jacqueline01135
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jacqueline01135 MELEKIE
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I gave a few yelps as he poked his way around before coming to a dead
end. Don't know if a doctor would have had more experience
dealing with problems. Had to take Paracetamol for a few days as the
internals were quite sore, O.K now No call back to see the cosultant
so, whatever is up there will remain a mystery ,to me anyway.
Working on the theory that no news is good news !!!!!!!
cjb106 jacqueline01135
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jacqueline01135 cjb106
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result.
Out for a pint and a curry tonight then , ????????????
cjb106 jacqueline01135
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jacqueline01135 cjb106
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us unless they are cooked to disintegration YUK I am braving up a bit I
had one of Lidl's ready curries ,Tikka Masala thoroughly enjoyed it
What' not good about coffee ??? That is my Starter for the day---- every
day.
cjb106 jacqueline01135
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jacqueline01135 cjb106
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and bits get back to normal ,usually for a couple of weeks 'I don't eat
red meat ,but I do eat lots of fish I even go to the chippy, but i remove
all the batter .Cheese is good, milk I never use ,I have coffee mate for
tea and coffee.
Will you be on the steroids for long ?? That weight will come off
quite quickly once you stop taking them
I love potatoes ,mashed. roast new ones and chips occasionally
remove skins off all of them
Maybe probiotic capsules will help .they certainly help me, and lots
of the D.D crowd use them
cjb106 jacqueline01135
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jacqueline01135 cjb106
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At least you have a follow up appt, none for me , As I have severe D.D they probably think there is no point in seeing me
cjb106 jacqueline01135
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MELEKIE cjb106
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jacqueline01135 MELEKIE
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to be good for you Are you evevtually going to get better or is it
a life long issue ??
michelle_59615 MELEKIE
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Melekie ,
Have the found relief for you ? I have been suffering for two years now and they think I'm nuts because I keep saying it's the same pain and same place where my diverticulitis was found . I have had many infections since 2009 and was left with a small amount of pain but since February 2015 no end invite constant pain and attacks they kept giving me pain meds that don't work so I recently stopped them because of long term use 2 years and many procedures at pain management but they are not getting this is my diverticulitis nothing else I'm a 43 year old female . My life has come to a complete stop
michelle_59615 jacqueline01135
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