ibs and diverticulitis

[Squidge44]

I’ve been diagnosed as having ibs and diverticulitis via a ct scan. I suffered periodically for years but the last two years have been horrendous. The ct scan picked up large ovarian cysts and I’ve since had both ovaries and cysts removed, but I’m getting diarrhoea every few days now. The doctor doesn’t seem to worried and just gives me loperamide, but I get myself into such a state and keep thinking I’ve something more serious. I know I’m being silly and at 74 years old I should have more sense, but when I’m on the loo I come over all maudlin. Does anyone else feel this way.

[BabsyWabsy]

Hi Squidge, it is really easy when you are sitting in there for a long time, of necessity, to start having negative thoughts. Because I too spend a lot of time in the smallest room some days, I have a good supply of reading material, magazines etc. which diverts my attention and gets me reading. Something I don't normally have time to do. Might as well make these intervals productive.

[LokiX]

Hi there Squidge 44

In answer to your question "does anyone else feel like this?", well, I can answer with a resounding "YES!" I've just turned 73 and although I've not undergone the sort of awfulness you have, IBS & I have been acquainted for many years now, during which time I've often wondered if it's more than IBS. I'm lucky enough to be part of the home screening programme to detect bowel cancel & although the results come back negative, it doesn't always alleviate the "yes, but, what if.." Like you, my "maudlin" often gets at me when I'm on the loo, particularly if it's on a day of multiple visits, like you, I think I'm old enough "to know better" & the more "sensible" side of me fights the "down in the dumps" but doesn't always win. At least there's two of us in the world, Squidge 44,& probably more!

Perhaps we can take some little comfort in the thought that at least one other person can understand?

Take care of yourself.

Love from LokiX

[Squidge44 in reply to LokiX]

Thank you so much LokiX. It’s comforting that others are around and I’m not just “being silly “ as my husband says. Bless you x

[Squidge44]

Cheers, will try reading etc x

[Neil119]

Very Very Hard to cope with- they say grin and bare it. For me 4 + years of home/ self colonic irrigation EVERY DAY- horrible. WE BOTH NEED TO BE SRONG !!!

[chubbylover78]

I was diagnosed with ibs at 14 and divertivular disease at 31, im now 40. I have good days but as I've gotten older my symptoms are worsening and I'm in a constant state of flare ups from one or the other. My Diverticular disease has turned into diverticulitis more times than I can remember and put me in hospital once but the doctors refuse to do anything because of my age. Over 80% of people over the age of 65 will have some diverticular present(mainly age related acording to my gp) but because of my ibs I ended up getting it early because of the amount of trips to the loo I was taking when I was younger. I spend most of my days in the loo, it's the first place our dog comes looking for me if I leave the room and the first place family mention of I don't answer the phone or door! I'm thinking of moving just so I can have an en-suite with a tv and bookcase in for entertainment when I'm in there lol

Both illnesses will get you down but you can rise above it and hopefully find a way to make it better for yourself. I'm in the middle of a flare now but it's gotten to the point now that I can say "stuff it, I need to carry on no matter how bad I feel, I can suffer later when I know I'm home and with a loo close at hand!"

Sending hugs your way ((hugs)) x