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Diverticulitis Diagnosis at 25

Posted , 5 users are following.

kate59077
kate59077

Hey 

I'm fairly new to this! After years of suffering with bowel problems, I was hospitalised with a sever colon infection in May, I suffered from sever pain for a week one week ago, treated with bed rest and strong pain killers, luckily - no infection again. Today,  I was told I had multiple diverticular (so I guess the infection from May was Diverticulitis!)

As I said, it's all new right now, I know I must eat a high fiber diet and drink lots of water. After some internet searching I'm learning it's highly unheard of in my age group, I guess I am hoping for any general tips and advice on diet/ how likely surgery will be in the future - and to know if there are any in my age group out there with 'funny insides!?' 

Thanks for your time! 

Kate 

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • stacy48013
    stacy48013 kate59077

    Posted

    Hi, I was diagnosed with diverticulitis back in February. I'm 41 but the doctors told me my case was so bad that it was rare even at my age.

    Have you recently had a flare up?

    My doctor told me soft fibre diet for 6 weeks (mind you, I've been in hospital three times this year, including once for a perforated colon).

    I know drinking lots of water is a must, but not sure about hitting a high fibre diet so soon.

    Not sure if anyone else has any ideas on that.

    Regarding surgery, as I've been hospitalised 3 times for it, the doctors think it's pretty likely that surgery is in the cards, but they will consider it when I'm well.

  • linda346
    linda346 kate59077

    Posted

    Hi there, sorry to hear all your problems. There are lots of young people with this disease, more now for some reason. You will hopefully get replies from them (I am older!!) but just to say if you have just had a flare etc you need to go on low residue diet for a while as fibre would be too much for a recovering colon to deal with. Lots of water, at least a litre a day, white bread, white pasta, - I have had this for 12 years, it takes a while to discover what suits you - everyone is different so others may find they can eat things which would be wrong for you. Take it gently, lactulose from chemist twice a day which is not a laxative, it just softens everything so it passes thro colon easier. Mayo Clinic has a low residue diet if you go on their website. I am now on low residue permanently as it suits me and I have hardly any flares (touch wood!) gassy foods are a no no as they can inflame the pockets so I don't eat any root vegetables but again you may be fine with these. its all trial and error I'm afraid but the main aim is for everything to pass through easily so constipation is avoided. We're all here for you, we all know what you're going through - best wishes.

    Sent from my iPhone

  • michelle269
    michelle269 kate59077

    Posted

    Hi Kate, I too am young to have this horrible disease sad not as young as you though (I'm 34). I was diagnosed in Feb but before that I had 4 hospital admissions with infections (each time they thought it was a gyni issue so I was probed and prodded in the most horrible places!). I was told by my consultant that as I am so young and have to live with the disease for so long that surgery at some point will be necessary. I am currently on a 9 month waiting list for a colonoscopy to find out the severity of the pouches I was supposed to have been put on the list back in Feb but they forgot! (I had another infection in July). Apparently with each infection scarring can occur in the colon- if there is too much scarring then it can cause complications (blockages and ruptures) and this terrifies me! I have had 6 flare ups in the last 2 years sad I can't believe how little info docs and consultants give you. I struggle with a high fibre diet as it causes a lot of pain and bloating so I just make sure that everday I have some veg and fruit and I take lactose to keep things moving. I have also started to have probiotics to try and balance the bacteria in my gut as I have had so many antibiotics- not sure if it's helping yet though xx

    • madge07350
      madge07350 michelle269

      Posted

      The advice about high fibre is not nuanced enough and is probably making the condition worse for a lot of people. Fibre comes in soluble and insoluble forms. Too much insoluble fibre from wholewheat bread an bran type cereals will give large stools which put pressure on the colon walls leading to worsening of problems. Soluble fibre found more in veggies is better. The main thing is to avoid constipation and find a diet that works for you. Keeping a food diary can help to see if there is a pattern to flares. Probiotics are important as the microbiome is severely compromised by the antibiotics and having good bacteria will help keep infections in check. Since my diagnosis I have reduced the amount of wholewheat bread I eat. Adequate magnesium intake will also help prevent constipation.

  • madge07350
    madge07350 kate59077

    Posted

    You need to stay on the low fibre diet for at least a fortnight . Avoid hard to digest foods. I find that tough meats, pork and anything with gristle can bring on a flare. I also avoid seedy stuff like berries or kiwi. Aloe Vera juice can help with inflammation.
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