RA and Diverticolosis

[Jackie1947]

For years I thought I had IBS but a CT scan has diagnosed Diverticolosis which is flaring and about to start 2 kinds of antibiotics.That makes 3 family members with it. Possibly hereditary or possibly having a immune disease. Anyone else had this diagnosed with immune disease. Tips on handling please.

[medway-lady]

Yes after a sigmodoscopy and told half the western world have it and no worries just make sure to eat fibre. I never knew and it’s not the same as diverticulitis. Apparently the bowel consultant said mine is healthy so no polyps but diverticulosis can rarely bleed a bit and that was picked up as I never saw it. So it’s bran flakes or porridge, and I’ve just forgotten about it. I hope your inflammation goes with treatment and you’re not in pain. I did see the pockets on the camera but no inflammation so I am lucky so far.

[Jackie1947 in reply to medway-lady]

Diverticulitis is an inflammation of Diverticolosis desease. "itis" meaning inflammation.I'm on low fibre as high makes it worse for me.Im waiting for a colonoscopy and an appointment with Gastroenterologist. Started two different antibiotics so 🤞

[medway-lady in reply to Jackie1947]

Yes I was told that but no need to medicate as not inflamed. I got called for the sigmodoscopy as they saw blood in poo but nothing to worry about so far. The siggy was quick and didn’t hurt and around her they do that rather than the colonoscopy. I hope the antibiotics work. Xx

[helixhelix]

I so wish they would change the names as so confusing. I have diverticula, which very occasionally causes problems so I guess flips between diverticulosis and diverticular disease?

NHS explains fairy well

Diverticula are small bulges or pockets that can develop in the lining of the intestine as you get older.Most people with diverticula do not get any symptoms and only know they have them after having a scan for another reason.

When there are no symptoms, it is called diverticulosis.

When diverticula cause symptoms, such as pain in the lower tummy, it's called diverticular disease

.If the diverticula become inflamed or infected, causing more severe symptoms, it's called diverticulitis.

[Jackie1947 in reply to helixhelix]

So confusing

[sylvi]

I have had diverticulitis while on drugs for RA and also with it i had sepsis which nearly killed as i had 2 cardiac arrests during it. thankfully i knew nothing about it. I was in icu for three days after having isotopes put down my main artery to bring me back. I do remember the dr saying to me what ever you do don't move. Thankfully i didn't and i am glad to say i am still here.xxxxx

[Jan101050 in reply to sylvi]

I have this problem and some biologic meds make it flare. Have been taken off two medications because of this.

[helixhelix in reply to sylvi]

so are we!,

[Jackie1947 in reply to sylvi]

I started biological drugs over a year ago. I recently had a CT scan because recent tests showed enzyme deficiency in the Pancreas. That's when it pinpointed divert disease. For years on and off it was thought I had IBS. I'm the third member of my family with this diagnosis with my Son in hospital having had part bowel removed. It can be hereditary as my Mum also has it.

[oldtimer2]

The changing pressures in the gut as it pushes the food through tend to find any weaknesses in the gut lining and over time small pockets develop. It tends to be more common as you get older as a result. The pockets on the side of the gut are called diverticuli (plural of diverticulus which is Latin for a small wandering on the side of a path).

It used to be thought that eating a low fibre diet would stop fragments of food getting stuck in this little pockets until some work showed (I thought quite conclusively) that eating a high fibre diet lowered the risk. High fibre diets also tend to reduce the pressure in the gut as the muscle wall has more to grasp (that's how I think of it anyway).

It would be more helpful if they explained that these pockets on the side of the gut are common, that they can get inflammed sometimes and that makes the gut contract painfully and give you colicy pain. Occasionally this can cause a lot of pain and inflammation making a small abscess and this usually requires antibiotics.

Unfortunately antibiotics upset the healthy bacteria and the lining in the gut - so eat plenty of things like yogurt and other fermented foods, and try to keep to a regular diet based on lots of fruit and vegetables. (You might, as an individual, have to avoid specific things that you know affect you.)

[Doughnut61]

I have it, catches me out and have to rush to the loo at times (embarrassing)

[Jackie1947 in reply to Doughnut61]

I get that