New to service need support

[Cavvie]

Hi all

I've been having bowel issues since July. Never knowing when I'm going to need to get to a toilet.

Been off work now for 5 weeks, ended up in hospital for 11 days as my phosphate levels dropped dramatically to 3% and started fitting.

Had a colonoscopy and have been diagnosed with diverticular disease and suspected IBS.

Severe stomach cramps and diarrhorea.

I've been told to get more fibre into me and take fybrogel daily.

Has anyone else got similar. What meds and foods help, as I really need to get back to work

Thanks

[Hidden]

HI Cavvie, first and foremost I'm so sorry you are suffering like you are. Secondly I cannot believe all you've been told is to get more fibre into you and take Fybrogel daily. Fybrogel is normally for constipation so that I cannot understand at all. How on earth would you know what to eat!

Anyway, the only thing I can suggest is to keep a food diary. For example, I know I cannot eat raw carrots or onions, I can only eat broccoli and cauliflower in small amounts and cannot eat sweetcorn. There are other things but I will be under a Dietician some time next year as my doctor has put me on the waiting list (I live in the UK).

Have a look at soluable fibre (see below):

prebiotin.com/prebiotin-aca...

The above may help you and is the kind of diet you would have followed before your Colonoscopy (I had a Colonoscopy last year, my second one, and I felt so much better following that diet before I had the Colonoscopy).

All the very best.

[Cavvie in reply to Hidden]

I have been referred to a dietician also. I'm in Scotland.

They gave me no info on my discharged from hospital.

I will look at the info you sent

Thank you

[Hidden in reply to Cavvie]

I'm so glad you have been referred to a Dietician as well, at least they will be able to guide you and know whether you are getting enough nutrients.

All the very best.

[MeredithW]

Goodness! I'm also surprised at how little information you've been given.

Unfortunately when it comes to food, it's such a personal thing (and that's where the dietitian will be a big help when you get to see one). I find it helps to keep meals quite simple, relatively small and not eat too fast. Did the hospital/specialist suggest you try Imodium (or loperamide which is the unbranded version) in the short term? It sounds like you might need to go back to the GP and get some more indepth advice based on your particular symptoms.

One of the triggers for me is stress and I now meditate daily. When I was first diagnosed I was also given access to CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) so it might also be worth speaking to your GP about this too.

I hope things start to get a little better for you soon.

[MeredithW]

Just another thought... you might find the NICE guidelines on dietary and lifestyle help: nice.org.uk/guidance/cg61/c...