Is there any connection between gastro-intestinal problems and CLL?

[accordio]

Shortly after CLL diagnosis (two weeks before lockdown), I suffered (and still do) from severe abdominal pain. Following colonoscopy, finally have had a diagnosis of diverticulosis. Is this purely coincidental?

[Horatio2]

I'm not sure if it is coincidence or not, but I have had diverticulosis since my early 30s, and was diagnosed with CLL when I was 52. When it flares into diverticulitis, it can be very painful and usually needs treated with antibiotics. Hope you feel better very soon.

[accordio in reply to Horatio2]

Thank you! You’re right it’s painful!

[GMa27]

My nodes caused gastroparesis ( severe digestive disease). Fortunately after chemo and nodes shrunk - the gastroparesis disappeared. Nodes, enlarged spleen- all of that can effect our digestive system. But not everything is related to CLL. Always check with your hematologist and follow up with gastroenterologist (as you have done). Diverticulitis is a very common disorder for many without CLL. 💕

[accordio in reply to GMa27]

Thank you - I’ve a lot to learn about this!

[cllady01 Former Volunteer in reply to accordio]

This Mayo Clinic article on this subject is quite good to get familiar with what to do to avoid flare ups, symptoms, causes, treatments .

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

[accordio in reply to GMa27]

Thx - I’m on the case.... watching how things go

[Ironj]

I suffered from bad diverticulitis for about a years off and on. Then I was diagnosed with CLL/SLL so I believe in my case it’s connected that’s just my opinion backed by zero facts.

[accordio in reply to Ironj]

Also got zero facts, but have a gut feeling there is a connection! Thx

[Ironj in reply to accordio]

I agree .. in my case I believe that started my SLL. The Dr’s say there not exactly sure how people get cll /sll but I’ve seen articles that say infections, rheumatoid arthritis can cause it. I guess if there was solid truth to this there would be absolute evidence of it.

John

[LeoPa]

I suspect the link between gastro intestinal problems and diet is much stronger than to CLL. Depends from what stage CLL we are talking about of course. Since it's inflammation, an anti inflammatory diet might help.

[accordio in reply to LeoPa]

My diet has always been healthy ..... so not sure at this point! Thx

[LeoPa in reply to accordio]

Healthy as in anti inflammatory? Then it must be something else...

[blowinginthewind]

My gastroenterologist told me that most people have some level of diverticulosis by the time they are about 50. We found about half a dozen in my colonoscopy which is apparently "very very few for a women my age - I was about 58 I think. Mine don't give me any trouble at all, thankfully.

My mother had it, and she had it very badly (according to her). She completely ignored ALL the dietary advice given by her doc to help prevent it flaring into diverticulitis. And she had all kinds of problems but she still refused to follow advice. My friend has it, with no problems because she follows the advice given to her. Following advice, and noting things that cause you a problem is worthwhile I think.

[Big_Dee]

Hello accordion

I have never had a flare up diverticulosis until one year after I was diagnosed with CLL. I suspect after looking at a recent colonoscopy video showing about 6 diverticuli, I had these for many years. I only had diverticulosis in about two of the diverticuli, which is an infection. The diverticuli could have became infected due to poor infection response because of the CLL. I took an anti-biotic prescribed by GP and resolved infection in a week. I now drink glass of water with clear soluble fiber powder every morning and have not had anymore diverticulosis infection for two years. Blessings.

[Blueaccordion]

I was told I had enlarged lymph nodes in 2016 that showed in a CT scan for suspected diverticulitis. Treated with antibiotics and then the follow up CT scan 6 months later showed still enlarged lymph nodes. Discussed with my family Dr., and since I didn't show any other symptoms, didn't think anything about it. I've had 2 other diverticulitis flareups and treated with antibiotics. Fast forward to August 2020 and suspected 4th bout of diverticulitis. The good news/bad news phone call I received from my family Dr. after the CT scan was: Good news-not diverticulitis, Bad news-suspected lymphoma. I did have an appt to schedule partial colectomy surgery to remove diseased part of colon, but went to that appt to set up lymph node biopsy instead which confused the surgeon!! Now I've been diagnosed with SLL with unmutated IgVH as well as trisomy 12, and straight into treatment, started ibrutinib Oct 5. Since the first bout in 2016, I've been eating healthy-no red meat, caffeine, or fried foods and have exercised daily for years.

I have wondered, too, are my SLL and diverticulitis related? Like Ironj, I suspect yes, but have no facts.

[dianejoyce]

Good morning, I find this very interesting as I also have both. When I get a diverticulitis flair up, it’s painful and I also end up taking antibiotics.