Just been diagnosed with diverticulitis

[titch114]

Hi everyone I wonder if anybody has been diagnosed with diverticulitis and can give me tips how to manage it

What they thought was IBS Is now diverticulitis

[Huston]

Had the exact same journey .First diagnosis was IBSC leading to straining resulting in Diverticulitis ,Diverticula found with virtual colonoscopy .Diverticulitis can slow passage of material through gut leading to ........ constipation leading to straining so both IBSC and Diverticulitis have exact same symptoms . NOw because of persistent gut pain getting worse insisted on a ct scan which has revealed small intestinal adhesions( probably caused by historic gut inflammation ) leading to angulation of loops in the small gut leading to, slow passage of material through gut leading to constipation type symptoms even if not actually constipated .So avoid to much of anything that will cause too much bulk in gut including fibre which is the opposite to every thing we are told about managing constipation ! But keep well hydrated which in my case is problematic as my Blood pressure medications are doing there damdest to reduce the fluid volumes in my body and relax smooth muscle, which not only relaxes arteries but also the gut wall weakening peristalsis,.The GP I saw last week chose to ignore my 20 year experience of managing my predicament and having consulted her computer decided the answer was a course of laxido .laxido is basically salt which sucks fluid into the gut so softening stools .It also ,being salt ,has driven my blood pressure through the roof ! How do I know this ? Bcause my GP suggested I home monitor my Blood pressure for a week because she thought it a bit high when I visited the surgery .She will review the results on this friday .What she will discover is that salt raises blood pressure, a fact I did mention when she was writing out the laxido prescription ,and something presumably she was taught in med school .But then what do I know ?I am just the patient to be in and out in 15 mins during which time she was mostly looking at her computer and ignoring me. .You will gather my experience of medics in matters of the gut is not a happy or useful one .Ps as of today I have stopped laxido .yes it made me go but so did the magnesium that I have always used .The GP appeared not to think Magnesium was up to much .I have news for her .In my case it beats laxido every time .

[DM14 in reply to Huston]

So I have had bowel problems for 13 years. Had every test and medication and nothing showed up so was told it was ibs. Nothing has helped.

I had a laparoacopy earlier this year (suspected endometriosis-but it was negative) however my surgeon said that my intestines were HIGHLY inflamed and 'not on a good condition'

I am aware thay with ibs you do not get inflammation of the intestines so could this be Diverticulitis???

[Huston in reply to DM14]

Could well . Diverticulitis can produce gut inflammation if they become infected .But your surgeon should be able to tell you if Diverticulitis is your problem .I presume you have had a colonoscopy which would have revealed diverticula in your gut if you have them . Sounds like you need to get your GP to find out more from the surgeon for you .

[DM14 in reply to Huston]

Thanks for your help.. Yes, I had a colonoscopy about 7 years ago.... but I definatley want another as over the years my symptoms have just gotten worse and worse. So what was severe constipation could now also be diverticulitis (thats what im feeling)

I also have Anismus... which is a rectal dysfunction condition where my downstairs muscles work backwards to how they should x

[Huston]

A Ct scan of your abdomen area will show if you have Diverticulitis and also show inflammation etc .Not invasive .No tubes and cameras in you ! just a period of fasting and a couple of minits in the scanner .I was in and out in half an hour when I had a Ct scan recently that found the adhesions that I now believe are at the basis of my gut pain and constipation .Diverticulitis was diagnosed years ago with a colonoscopy .That has got more prevalent in the intervening years .

[DM14]

Ok! Does diverticulitus recur or once treated never comes back? Ive been trting to read information but irs all very confusing (sorry for pecking your brain) x