My story.

Hi Kate . What had happened was i had been going to a gastroenterologist for years with symptoms that he kept saying we're IBS. I eventually had an infection that was diverticulitis and was diagnosed by CT scan. I was in hospital for a week and when I was released the gastroenterologist assured me that I was ok that my bowel hadn't perforated ,so I walked around for 5 months with an abscess because it had perforated and nobody had realised. My symptoms were terrible lower back pain and just feeling really really unwell. . Eventually I went back to him and insisted on a colonoscopy because I was leaking pus type stuff from my back passage. . I was then referred to a wonderful surgeon and then my journey began and I'm so glad that I went to this surgeon because he has been my saviour. I'm happy to answer any more questions you might have I'm only too glad to help other people .

tks for reply Rhianna, what a terrible time you went tru. so glad you are out other side now.

I'm not sure what's actually wrong with me, scared all the time. have such severe very low back pain for weeks, some left side burning pain on and off, had ct scan last may, all fine, also had colonoscopy 2 years ago and fine. but this pain is unrelenting day and night, also bowel not right. I suppose I'm finding it hard to believe if its diverticulitis, it cud last this long. I was diagnosed with it a few years ago. tks for your help.

You should go back to the doctors and ask for another CT scan you can develop diverticulitis really quickly even though your last CT scan was ok you may have it now . It's all a bit tricky at the moment though going to doctors with all this scare about this virus. Don't panic though some diverticulitis passes without even having antibiotics it may well be a very mild case. don't worry.

tks Rhianna, I'm having repeat ct today so hopefully all will be ok, really nervous.

That's good. Let me know how you go. I I know how you feel I hate medical tests but you'll be fine.

hi Rhiannon

well I had the repeat abdominal ct scan, all clear except for a fibroid,which doctor barely brushed over. I'm totally lost, I'm in so much pain every day, mostly lower back a nd legs. he wanted to do a colonoscopy but cant at moment because of covid, but surely anything sinister that might be causing this pain would show on a ct? I'm at my wits end with worry in case theres something in there being missed. bloods were done again and all clear. hope you are feeling well and staying safe. k

. .ct

Something sinister would definitely show up on a CT scan so don't worry about that . I do have lower back pain and leg pain but that was from my surgery I just have to take pain medication. Could it possibly be muscular because that can be agonizing and can cause the symptoms that you're describing.

tks for your reply Rhianna, I dont know where its coming from to be honest but it's awful every day. I'm booked for colonoscopy at beginning of June, but have to wait and with corona if it will still go ahead, cancelled twice already. Did you suffer back and leg pain before your surgery?

No just after. Because of damage from 1st op taking so long.

tks for your help Rhianna, it's great that you are feeling so much better. I'm on nerve pain tablets at moment so they take the edge off, are you in u.k. I'm guessing with time it's not America. I'm in northern ireland. everyone worried about covid so stay save and I appreciate you taking time to reply. maybe if I get my colonoscopy il be able to let you know how it when. k

I'm in Australia. I'm scottish, emigrated here with my patents at 9. My hubby is from northern Ireland . He emigrated as an adult . We married in the 80's. We're 64. We are isolating but we're not so affected here in oz, so far anyway. We are all trying to do the right thing so hopefully it will be contained. It's a worry though. Stay safe.

have relations in Sydney, have been over there for 5 trips to include two weddings, beautiful country. hope we all pull tru this awful virus and get some normality back soon. tks for the chat Rhianna.

We're in Adelaide. Lived in an area for 36 years that went downhill over the years, but stayed until the kids finished their education . Bought a new house last year, it's like heaven. Lovely neighbours etc. We're just ordinary people but have worked hard. Only downside was i wasn't well when we moved in, but feeling better now, so enjoying it. It's Autumn now so the weather is perfect. 29 today. Does get cold in winter though. Always here for a chat. 😊

I have been diagnosed with diverticulosis from CT and colonoscopy. it's taken 3 years. I have constant left side back and stomach pain which sometimes radiates down my left leg to the knee. My GP told me last Thursday that's its age (59). I have made the decision to investigate solutions myself through diet food choices and recommendations from other sufferers. Most days my stomach is like a beach ball and I get bad skin conditions on my legs. On investigations I am moving forward on trying things to improve good bacteria in my gut. I just want to do normal things like gardening and walking the pouch without pain. it does get you down some days but I am going to do this as GP says nothing more can be done unless severe attack which would then require hospital admission. I did have antibiotics a few weeks back but prefer not to again as the side effects were more bloating although pain a little less. I hope to feel better through food choices and I hope you feel better soon.

hi Debra,,

sorry you are suffering like this, can I ask if you have the back and leg pain every day? I have diverticulitis also and have had a terrible time for past 3 months, unbearable lower back pain left side and both legs every day. did you get any relief after taking your prep for colonoscopy ? most days I find it a struggle to walk, even sitting is so painful. now with covid it's very hard to even see a gp, let alone get any tests done. hope you get relief soon.

I have been having leg and back pain every day. it's mainly my left side but at night it can be both legs to the knee. I used to smother them in volterol but it didn't do much good. I do take co codamol which isnt great as they bung you up. I had a bad bout recently and find it hard to walk. it feels like dragging and really hurts my back. I have started from this weekend really trying to stick to food that is supposed to help your gut. so gluten free, high fibre and things I've never tried before from recommendation, mostly ordered from holland and Barrett. I did find the colonoscopy prep made my stomach feel better for a couple of days. I once went 4 days after feeling really bad just drinking water and felt great but that's obviously not sustainable or healthy. i was 10.5 stone 2 years ago and now 14 with no extra calories taken . i know they say its age but this can be very debilitating and depressing so I've decided I am going to do all I can to help myself. I'll let you know if anything works. i have noticed that a teaspoon of organic apple cider vinegar and a fresh lemon and warm water drink 1st thing takes that raw stomach feeling away. I am not a health freak just desperate and willing to try anything. Like you I just want to feel normal and not have pain everyday. thanks for your comment. It's sad to know you are a fellow sufferer but comforting to realise there are people with same symptoms that I can relate to.

Debbie

I feel for you. It's a horrible condition. It's good to explore food/ gut choices,but be careful. If you need antibiotics you need to take them to control the infection. They are brutal though, they've got to be heavy duty . I am always here for help or advice.

tks Debbie.

it is truly a horrible disease , I've had several colonoscopy tests done during past 5 years, I always felt huge relief after each one which I put down to the prep cleaning out colon completely, I'm 13 weeks in constant pain, legs, back and rectal. most days I'm dragging my legs like they are wet sodden tree trunks, do hard to walk.. i take solpadine and sleeping tablets, often the pain comes tru the sleeping tablet, i wonder if a change of diet would in fact help, to be honest i dont know what i should be eating. i take a fibro gel every day which definitely softens stool as it can hurt a lot to get bunged up, I would be very grateful to hear back from you if you find a diet or anything that helps take the pain away , it's really depressing. wishing you well. by the way i am same age as yourself. tks again. kate

Thank you. it's really helpful to know I can ask someone for advice.

I took solpadene Max for many years which I think may have contributed to the gut problems I have. it was very hard stopping them and I was horrified at how many I was taking and how much I was spending in the end. At the same time I was taking zopiderm which I had to increase the dose of as they wernt helping sleep just causing confusion and weight gain. When I finally told my Dr what I was doing to try to get some pain relief I had to have bloods to check for liver damage which thankfully I'd escaped. I had to stop taking both tablets which for about 10 days caused terrible headaches and diarrhoea also terrible nightmares for about 4 nights after stopping the sleepers. I do take double cocodamol now but only when the pains really bad which lying down can help. I have sleep problems its 3.36am when writing this but I use the time positively and am only awake about an hour. I usually sit in the garden and listen to the dawn chorus. If you can be honest with yourself and your GP or a trusted friend, talk about your meds . I was taking mine as a crutch as well as pain relief. I don't feel any worse not taking them but as I said I am still taking meds but only as a last resort. I hope you don't mind me sharing this with you. I just think it is very important to tell you how it is for me. x

Thank you for being so incredibly honest I really appreciate that . I am relying at the moment on what we call here( australia) Panadeine forte which i think might be the same as your co-codamol. If you read my story I've had lots of problems over the 2 years of my journey and now I have an incredibly painful sinus problem. I only take about 4 a day and take movicol and eat plenty of fibre but it's not ideal. . I'm very reliant on them and I'm finding it really hard to not take them but we get into such a bad patterns with our pain. Im so glad you shared your story.

tks Debbie for taking the time to explain all, I better find a way to get off tablets, I dont know how il manage without sleep tablet, it's the only relief I get from the leg pain . I remember a time when I could sleep like a baby before diverticulitis and acid reflux set in, but now it's a nightmare spending every day lining up various tablets to try help the pain and in hope if some sleep. I hope we all find some quality of life soon and normality. really appreciate your help. kate