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No bowel movements while recovering from Div. attack

Posted , 4 users are following.

dee88278
dee88278

I have had diverticulitis about 5 times the last 10 years. First time admitted for small perforation. Have always been feeling better within a few days of starting meds. This time, I am still in pain about 5 days after meds, plus I have not had a bowel movement during this time (have been mostly on liquid diet). Don't know whether to take something for the constipation, which I know is bad for div. but afraid not to. Anyone have this problem and what did you do - thanks.

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • sharon88167
    sharon88167 dee88278

    Posted

    call your Doctor i ended up getting constipated after those drugs as well i went for a CaT SCAN because i thought the DiV came back . But it had not.I was just constipated so the doctor told me to do fleet enemas and a super strong stool softener. That cleared it up and i felt better

    • dee88278
      dee88278 sharon88167

      Posted

      Thanks - that's encouraging, because I know constipation can lead to on-going div. Seeing doctor tomorrow - I have used glycerin suppositories before but don't know if that's safe or not. Would think that would be similar to fleet enema. I still have another week of the meds. so have to figure out something. I know I'm not suppose to eat much fiber right now.

  • 1231Pecan
    1231Pecan dee88278

    Posted

    I was told that sometimes it takes a second round of antibiotics to feel better. Those antibiotics are awful; I've often felt they make the patient feel as bad as the condition itself. Insofar as the bowel movements, I had them even when I was on a liquid diet, so I'd definitely follow up with your GI doc to see what they have to say about that. Constipation is the absolute worst thing to have; I'm convinced that my first onset of DD was caused by constipation. I eat plenty of fiber and won't hesitate to take a stool softener or insert a glycerin suppository to hopefully prevent constipation from EVER happening again. Best.

  • 1231Pecan
    1231Pecan dee88278

    Posted

    The glycerin suppositories are very safe. They contain nothing but pure glycerin. I've used a stool softener on occasion, and I think they're safe too, but I prefer the suppositories. Of course, once you're able to get back on a fiber diet, that's better than anything. As long as I am religious about my fiber, I really don't need any help, but I have a history of not eating enough fiber; that's how I got myself in trouble originally. I'm trying to do better.

    • dee88278
      dee88278 1231Pecan

      Posted

      Pecan - can I ask you - do you use a fiber supplement - and if so, what kind? Also, do you use a suppository any day you don't have a regular bowel movement? I think I wait too long hoping my body can do its own self-correction. I also have IBS, causing me to sometimes have diarrhea and sometimes constipation. Thanks .

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