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Stress and Diverticulosis

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Gem0124
Gem0124

I was recently diagnosed with mild diverticulosis. I had a CT that showed nothing and my colonoscopy says that my DD is mild.  I don't have any bleeding or fever but I have a lot of pain on the lower left side of my stomach.  My doctor says that my symptoms don't match my test results but I'm starting to wonder if the pain is made worse by stress.  Is this possible?  My doctor prescribed dicyclomine to help with the pain spasms and I'm watching what I eat but the pain comes quite often and lasts for days.  Anyone else have the same type of experience?

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • amia1
    amia1 Gem0124

    Posted

    Hi, although I have recently been diagnosed with acute multiple diverticulosis  following a colonoscopy, my consultant did say that stress is often a key contributor to flare ups. I was advised to try and reduce stress where possible and to take things a little easier.  It's not as easy as it sounds though! 

    We can't completely avoid situations that are stressful in life. It's all around us I find.  But as I'm now recovering from this sudden first attack and trying to introduce and stick to a high fibre diet and reduce the amount of things I do at work and at home, it is slowly beginning to help with feeling abit better.

    I haven't been prescribed any drugs for pain spasms. Does the drug you mention work well?  Have you changed anything in your life to reduce being in or around stressful situations?

    I have stopped cramming in lots of stuff at weekends which can be stressful and tiring.  I don't really know yet how effective this is - time will tell.  But I do feel a bit calmer and less bothered that I haven't got everything done that week I wanted to. I would rather feel better and have less pain.

    • Guest
      Guest amia1

      Posted

      My GP prescribed Mebeverine for the spasms, to be taken when needed, not regularly.  It does take the edge off.
  • madeline27614
    madeline27614 Gem0124

    Posted

    My doctor said sometimes some people feel it more than others but I'd get to see a gyn to rule that out. Any pain isn't good. Pursue if it bothers you.🙏

    • Gem0124
      Gem0124 madeline27614

      Posted

      Been there done that.  She found nothing to be wrong and it's definitley food and stress related.  My stress level is really high and the pain goes away when I don't eat.

  • susan95516
    susan95516 Gem0124

    Posted

    Stress is a factor in DD I end up with a flare when I get myself stressed. They say to try and stay calm within yourself I find this hard to do when I need the toilet 5 times in a morning. I don't go far just incase I need the loo. I am glad you only have it mild. I have multiple diverticula. I hope your pain gets better for you

  • Aveybsby
    Aveybsby Gem0124

    Posted

    I am just waiting to have a CT scan as my specialist thinks I have diverticulitis . I have pain lower left and upper left also sometintimes lower right is this typical? Also I have awful nausea
    • madeline27614
      madeline27614 Aveybsby

      Posted

      Yes. It all depends on where the inflammation is. Glad you are having a CT scan. That will show if that area is infected . Good luck.🙏

    • Aveybsby
      Aveybsby madeline27614

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply so stressful at the moment I have never had any symptoms like this before thanks
  • laureen01562
    laureen01562 Gem0124

    Posted

    All of this sounds so familiar. I was recently diagnosed with an acute flare up of diverticulitis and was also wondering about stress being a factor in flare ups. I have been feeling a lot of stress at work and I feel like this brings on the cramping, pain and nausea.
    • kat813
      kat813 laureen01562

      Posted

      I am also looking into this. I have had 3 flare ups since May 2017. Moved and then my 2nd flare in August, my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer and 3rd flare up now , not a burdened, but I take my sister to ALL her appointments and chemo. Her last chemo treatment went poorly with and I was staying stoic through it. Sorry for tmi, but I have been high fiber, probiotics and drinking plenty of water. All my flare ups have been around stressful events. Prior to this year it had been 3 years no issue. Which was when I was first diagnosed. 
    • susan95516
      susan95516 kat813

      Posted

      It sounds like you could also have IBS I would ask your DR to look into that 
  • lori20415
    lori20415 Gem0124

    Posted

    I too have been diagnosedwith diverticulitis, i have never been prescribed pain meds but have had to take 2 different antibiotics which keep me close or in a bathroom for days, i get severe diahreha and nausea, anyone else have these awful symptoms?
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