Is this diverticulosis

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i have been on anti depressants and diazepam for three years and had gallbladder out.  Have had dreaded runs after that but has now settled into constipation since taken off anti deps.  I know they affect serotonin in stomach but what is going on.  I was in a and e with lh bowel pain last month, cleared up with antibiotics but cant get rid of constipation.  They gave me sachets to take but they make me nauseous so using lactulose.  Anyone had all this?

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8 Replies

  • Posted

    I recommend Miralax for constipation.  It’s the best out there and can be mixed with any liquid.  It has been a lifesaver for me.  I too have DD and avoid being constipated.  It really causes flare ups.  Good luck.  Watch fiber too!!!
  • Posted

    My years of constipation caused by not drinking enough water and not eating enough fiber resulted in a severe abdominal condition, diverticulitis. I now drink at least 10 glasses of water per day and make sure I eat oatmeal for breakfast. As a result, my constipation has disappeared. I'm still battling the effects of poor diet choices years ago, but I will never again let myself get dehydrated. Water, water, and more water!

     

  • Posted

    Both Madeleine and Pecan offer good advice.  It does sound as though you had an attack of Diverticulitis, although unless you had a colonoscopy or CT scan it can't be confirmed.  But if it cleared within a month on pills, then it would have been a mild attack.  Some take months to clear.  But I think you should look on it as an early warning and chance to get things right.  Constipation/runs are a common effect of DD and it is most important not to be constipated and therefore straining, as that makes the DD worse.  I am guessing the sachets may have been Fybogel, but they don't suit everyone.  Whatever means you use to avoid constipation you MUST have plenty of water, as the medication makes the bowels absorb lots of extra water to bulk and soften the stools to make them pass easily.  I always say with DD an empty bowel is a good bowel, less chance of trapped matter and infection. 

    You also need to look at your diet - DD is affected by the fatty, highly processed Western food, although there is also a suspected genetic component.  You should in the main try and avoid these types of food and keep a record of anything in particular that causes pain again.  You need to ensure you get enough soluble fibre (well cooked vegetables and fruit, all without skins).  Insoluble fibre (comes out as it goes in ie skins, pips, seeds, and roughage like All Bran) is harsh on the inflamed insides and should be limited.  One poster switched from All Bran to Bran Flakes.  Small well cooked, well chewed meals mostly, and moderation in the not such good stuff (I do have the occasional piece of KFC!!).

    • Posted

      Everything you said I agree with.  It’s hard to accept the restrictions and must dos but we have to.  Antibiotics and feeling terrible shouldn’t be necessary but sometimes it happens without warning and you question every single thing you ate the past week. 
    • Posted

      Everything you said I agree with.  It’s hard to accept the restrictions and must dos but we have to.  Antibiotics and feeling terrible shouldn’t be necessary but sometimes it happens without warning and you question every single thing you ate the past week. 
    • Posted

      Thank you for your comprehensive reply.  It makes complete sense.  I dont understand where this has come from for me as i have a very plain diet since gallbladdder removal.  Mainly fish, chicken, potato mash, carrots.  No gluten, no dairy.  I do sometimes have a piece of dairy free dark chocolate if i feel a bit better.   I am blaming the lack of gallbladder for all this as i had very infrequent ibs until,that went, now its much more serious nausea and bowel problems.  Am i going to have diverticulitis forever if thats the conclusion?  I am already depressed and the thought of it distressses me more.  I never realised that the pouches could get infected so easily and maybe often.  Is the only treatment flagyl?  I am now worrying it could be bowel or stomach cancer.  Never had any bleeding but nausea in mornings and achey bowels.  What hope is there for us?
    • Posted

      For some people it is genetic, and nothing you have done.  An aunt who died in 1953 (of something totally different), so always had a very plain diet, also had Diverticular Disease (DD).  DD covers both Diverticulitis and Diverticulosis.  "itis" is when it is playing up due to inflammation or infection.  If you take care of yourself and sort out your constipation you may go many years between attacks, as you already have a good diet.  "osis" is the condition of having diverticula in the bowel.  This is the condition for life and is usually symptom free. 

      I have been diagnosed for 18 years and lead a normal active life.  I played competitive sport until my hip gave out a few years ago, but I walk, garden, socialise.  Yes I had 3 flares in the first 14 years, and 3 in quick succession since.  Yes, while recovering from flares I had daily bowel pain first thing, and no appetite.  Yes I still do get niggling pain from time to time.  Yes I do have more frequent bowel movements than before.  Yes I do sometimes eat the wrong things and pay for it.

      But Pecan is right - in order to have peace of mind you need to have a colonoscopy or CT Scan.  I too feared cancer when I took longer than usual to recover from my last flares, but my doctor referred me, just to be on the safe side.  Flagyl is a nasty medicine with severe side effects, but there are others.  I just don't know what is available in the USA.  Here in the UK I had Metronidazole, Cefalexin and Doxycycline, but I have heard others mention different drugs.

      I don't know anything about living without a gall bladder, but others have posted on this forum.  It could be that some of your symptoms are related to that and your previous surgery.  It may not seem like it now, but you will start to feel better, less depressed and more positive, but it can take a good few weeks.  Best wishes

  • Posted

    Ann, your discussion was not directed to me, but may I respectfully suggest a CT scan and/or colonoscopy to rule out some of the conditions you're concerned with? Thereafter, continue to follow the DD blogs at this site. They are very insightful. But the above-mentioned diagnostics come first.

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