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Effects of stress and Diverticulitis

Posted , 24 users are following.

janie03549
janie03549

Hi, I'm new to this group and just thought I would ask what fellow sufferers think about the implications of stress on Diverticular Disease?

I'm 49 and have been a sufferer of this nasty condition for over ten years. Been hospitalised twice because of it. Unfortunately, I have multiple health issues which I fully believe have mostly been caused by stress, including breast cancer.

Just had a very bad week due to family problems and after not having a flare up for nearly a year, I've been in agony for last 3 days... constant stabbing pain in left lower abdomen,feeling nauseous,exhausted and night sweats. Been hoping it would settle down without antibiotics, but looks like will have to see a doctor tomorrow.

Anybody else find stress brings on a flare up?

1 like, 34 replies

34 Replies

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  • sam52768
    sam52768 janie03549

    Posted

    Yes.. there is for me a connection for sure. If your immune system is off whack from stress it would make sense.
  • lyn98093
    lyn98093 janie03549

    Posted

    Hi, I have suffered from this horrible, unpredictable disease for almost three years and I truly believe that stress can be a trigger.
  • sam52768
    sam52768 janie03549

    Posted

    I wish there was more research done on this disease. It seems so drastic to cut out parts of our colon or intestines. Maybe if they caught it earlier on then something could be done so we don't end up like this.  I know I have had for at least 30 years....getting worse with time. I was told it was IBS and up my fiber... yeah ok..thanks. We have to all figure out what works best for ourselves.

    • mnisbett
      mnisbett sam52768

      Posted

      Sam I’m with you, I’ve been suffering myself for 25 years and I’m hoping that I’m finally getting some help. My left side has gotten to a point where they’re finally going to do a resection, and I’m still not sure if that will take care of it. Stress is the culprit for me as well. Do you know of any other sites besides this one that has good information? The colitis and Crohns diseases seem to be represented well but I’m not finding much for DD.
  • Guest
    Guest janie03549

    Posted

    Janie have you been taking Metamucil and probiotics daily? How was you first diagnosed like what test ? Do you ever have any blood or muscos with yours? 
    • janie03549
      janie03549 Guest

      Posted

      Hi, no Metamucil but I take daily probiotic. The condition was first diagnosed by a CT scan around 2006. I had gone to see a GP with crippling lower abdominal pain,fatigue,sweats and on examination he was really concerned as he said he could feel a mass present and I was admitted to hospital asap. Scan revealed multiple diverticula and I was put on intravenous antibiotics/fluids and bed rest. Whenever I get a flare up it's usually bad and this time is no exception. GP normally give me Metronidazole and Clauvanic acid. Never had blood or mucus, just acute inflammation and pain and constipation. My mum had Ulcerative colitis but that's very different as my partner also has it and he lost lots of weight and also had bleeding and very loose bowel motions. He takes Pentasa for it and Gabapentin. I just take Tramadol as it's only painkiller that takes edge off. Not had any sleep tonight due to the pain.

    • janie03549
      janie03549 Guest

      Posted

      Yes,can't remember its actual medical name but yes that's what I normally get given plus metronidazole. Just hoping won't end up in hospital again. I'm thinking of trying peppermint tea to soothe it. Hate taking lots of chemical stuff as I already take other meds and you end up with stomach problems and side effects. Another big reason I think I may suffer from this is because I had Peritonitis as a child and I've always had stomach related problems since.

    • jeanette30495
      jeanette30495 janie03549

      Posted

      I would definitely recommend taken Metamucil as well.  My doc says constipation can definitely cause a flare.  I also take daily probiotics and recently added the Metabucil.
  • Guest
    Guest janie03549

    Posted

    Yes I'm sure getting stressed out doesn't help which is hard not to before you get the proper diagnosis.Even though I'm well at the moment I seem to be constantly warm and sweat at night even though the weather is cold,don't think it's the menopause either, does anyone else have this problem ?

    • Guest
      Guest Guest

      Posted

      I been getting these sweats too since my diagnoses wasn't sure if it was the menopause or this DV plus feel light headed and nervous feeling . Last night I finished the 10 days on Bactrim will continue the Metamucil and probiotics.

    • karen42581
      karen42581 Guest

      Posted

      Yes, I get hot all of a sudden and then turn cold. This is not menapause, even thou my doctor tells me it is, I dropped him as my doctor to.
  • caroline57780
    caroline57780 janie03549

    Posted

    Hi, sorry to hear about your suffering. Stress defo plays a part with this condition and my original specialist confirmed this when I was first diagnosed . Unfortunately, I had a stressful job however one I enjoyed ,it caused me to really suffer and with regret I had to give this up . I cant say it has stopped the problems however I dont have to worry about being unable to take time off when feeling absolutely dreadful which was regular. Unfortunately, some people dont suffer at all with DD however others seem to really have dreradful symptoms and the consultant I last saw said they dont understand why. Ive been told nothing more to be done and learn to manage around it . Good luck and hope you feel better soon x
    • Guest
      Guest caroline57780

      Posted

      I think the ones that don't suffer is because it doesnt go into diverticulisis meaning they dont get the infection. 

  • jacqueline63261
    jacqueline63261 janie03549

    Posted

    Hi Janie,

    Yes, I am just realizing it now that STRESS is the number one trigger for my flare ups. I have been struggling with this since fall of 2012. And every November I end up in the ER with a flare up. (stress entering into the holidays) I love the holidays so it's not like I'm depressed, but I realize that when I am trying to process too much information at one time or too much on my plate, it causes stress on my body. I am sitting here in pain with another flare up (the 3rd in 4 months) and was quite discouraged thinking it was something in my diet. I eat very well for the most part. Then as I looked back, I saw the distinct pattern of stress. UGH! So, I am on another dose of antibiotics and am going to talk to my doctor this week about possible solutions. I am open to surgery at this point and I am going to talk to her about anti-anxiety meds. I'm 55 years old and have never been on medication (except thyroid) but I really don't have another solution. My friend said her doctor said that a low dose of zoloft (25 mg) is great for anxiety. I'm just tired of dealing with these episodes! Does anybody out there have a good med/natural supplement for anxiety that works?

    • janie03549
      janie03549 Guest

      Posted

      It's well documented that stress plays a big part in bowel disorders. The diverticula can become infected due to a variety of reasons. I'm seeing a doctor again this morning for second flare up in 4 weeks. I can't say hand on heart it's all due to stress, but in my humblest of opinions stress aggravates bowel conditions.

    • janie03549
      janie03549 lyn98093

      Posted

      Years ago, a doctor told me that people who bottle things up often end up with stomach/bowel problems as he said all that pent up emotion has to come out somehow. My problems began after my first caesarean section and in total I've had 9 operations on my abdominal area. I'm seeing a specialist on Saturday and going to ask him more about this horrible illness. All the best to you Linda xxxx

    • Guest
      Guest Guest

      Posted

      Hi crosodo,i recently saw a programme on tv about digestive problems and apparently we have lots of nerves in our bowel and they are the equivalent to the size of a small brain and this is why when we are stressed it causes bowel problems ie diahrroea etc,i dont think it directly causes an infection but the diahrroea or constipation could.
    • jacqueline01135
      jacqueline01135 Guest

      Posted

      There appears to be two of us (Jacqueline ) I'm the one that started Divi  Diners, three years ago.. Stress

      ,is responsible ,for a good many bodily functions, or causing malfunctions, It triggers off messages to every part of your body and organs ,throwing them into panic mode, Iv'e read loads of articles about this unseen trouble maker, It's a bit like your soul ,you know about it ,but don't know where it lives ,or what it looks like. You can't rub it better, or put a plaster on it, you have to talk to it ,verbally, or silently. It can take over ,and make situations worse, but taking charge of this unseen demon, has to come from yourself, and I started to do this by doing thing s that I enjoyed ,for me ,that is getting in the car and heading towards the countryside , I took over my D.D almost three years ago, and now I have no

      pain ,flares , I use Probiotic capsules twice a day, eat small meals ,and take no prescription drugs, but do take certain vitamin and mineral supplements ,My bowels are in perfect working order, but if I do feel a slowing down ,I take one dose Of Lactulose.  my expression to any aches and pains I may get i,, SOD OFF .Try and not get upset about anything,, bit difficult at times, but doable    

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