Post Colonoscopy

[wb54]

I had a colonoscopy 7 days ago, I was diagnosed with Diverticulitis but they took samples for biopsy to be on the safe side. Since I had the procedure I have yet to have a bowel movement. I am eating normally and restarted my fairly high fibre diet straight away. I have no bloating or pain. Is this normal, or should I consider an over-the-counter laxative to 'kick start' my bowels again? Any advice would be much appreciated. Good luck to you all.

[265599]

Hi same probs here,have you tried prunes or grapes it helped me,are you taking antibiotics per chance?.Take care.

[wb54 in reply to 265599]

No antibiotics at the moment. I will try prunes which will bring back memories of school dinners. I went to the chemist and I thought Senacot might be okay. The pharmacist asked me why I needed them. She said with Diverticulitis I should avoid Senna, as though natural version of a laxative the natural colouring in Senna can aggravate the situation. So a near miss. I hope the prunes will do the trick. Thanks for replying so quickly. All the best.

[Blearyeyed]

If you have things like IBS , your body will often react in different ways to a colonoscopy.If you have IBS with constipation ( like myself) you will often get more abdominal pain and find the constipation can get worse.

If you have IBS with diarrhea it will often cause pain and more bowel movements or a leaky gut.

Many people get bloating afterwards or feel a bit sick for a few days.

IBS is also a nerve condition so you can have gut spasms or find you are constipated because things don't get moved through your intestines smoothly or quickly.

The colonoscopy can make the nerves react by shutting down their movement , or moving too much , for a little while until your body has settled down again.

Even the laxative powders the hospital give you don't usually work for me.

I am allowed Lactulose with my type of IBS but most people have to avoid it . You can take lactulose with Diverticulosis , in fact , in some cases it is used with a high soluble fibre diet to help manage diverticulitis but you will need to check with the GP if it will be safe for you and follow their recommendations in its use.

You must check with the GP if it right for you , I repeat this , in case you have a problem with lactose or it isn't suitable for your IBS , but they may even give you a prescription for it if it is suitable . You could even ask if they will recommend you to use it to help your Diverticulosis regularly along with the right fibre supplements.

Hope that helps , Bee

[wb54 in reply to Blearyeyed]

Thanks for your comprehensive reply. There is no doubt I have a lot to learn about my condition and how best to try and minimise its impact on my life. I am jotting down everything and when I get an appointment with my GP which is far from easy I will raise these points. Take care.

[edwangy]

Don't you mean diverticulosis? Diverticulitis is when there is infection, yo would be on antibiotics if you had this.

[wb54 in reply to edwangy]

Apologies just checked my colonoscopy paperwork it is pan colonic Diverticulosis. Well spotted and I had better remember it. I am still getting my head around this. Thanks again and apologies to those of you who have read my posts and thought what the hell is he talking about. Take care.

[edwangy in reply to wb54]

No I didn't think that, the two terms are often mixed up. Did you know that 50% of people over 50 have diverticular disease and it increases with age, so it is very common. Most people don't have any symptoms but some get pain and constipation because of thickening of the colon. I am one of those.

[wb54 in reply to edwangy]

I think with many things they just pass you by until you are the one affected. Thanks for getting back to me.

[265599]

Hi.It's worth mentioning that my surgeon told me if I have a flare up to avoid brown bread, and in his words eat a little often and you should be ok.

Best wishes.

[wb54 in reply to 265599]

Thanks for that, I will add it to my list to avoid if/when this kicks off again. Kind regards.

[Alloagirl]

Hi, adding to everyone else’s great advice, I also suffered constipation after my colonoscopy. I have diverticulosis and had polyps removed also biopsies which were clear. I used Lactulose which worked well. You have to drink plenty of water with it. I gradually reduced the amount I took and now don’t need it. I do have a high fibre diet, plenty of veg and fruit. Kiwis are good. Best wishes

[wb54 in reply to Alloagirl]

Thanks for your advice. I do eat a lot of fruit and veg, I think my problem is that I probably don't drink enough in a day. I get my head in a book and half the day goes by, then I start feeling thirsty which I know is bad. I will get some Kiwis. Many thanks.

[Superzob]

I think there’s a difference between being constipated and having no bowel movement because the colonoscopy prep has cleared you out. If you don’t feel uncomfortable, then you could wait. I’ve had up to 10 days between bowel movements, and then went perfectly naturally; but we’re all different and you’re in the best position to judge what’s right for you.

[wb54 in reply to Superzob]

I think I was being a little paranoid and impatient, I had my first bowel movement yesterday after 9 days, not my regular output but it is at least a start! Thanks for your comments it was very reassuring.