Diverticulitus and diverticulosis

[Amber307]

Diverticulitus and diverticulosis. Just been diagnosed following colonoscopy and CT Scan and am very confused and anxious about it. I am 85 years old and gather it is very common in elderly people but is incurable. Anybody help.

[winfong]

Diverticula are small pouches that form outside the colon. Simply having them is diverticulosis, and is pretty benign (you won't even be aware that you have them). Diverticulitis is when these become inflamed and can be serious (and very painful).

[heartmatters1]

Hello

I was diagnosed with the same 2 years ago at the age of 68. As you say it is very common as we age.

At least you have a diagnosis & thankfully nothing worse was found. I am sure you must have been given an information leaflet after your diagnosis, just take the advice from it. The only time you need to be concerned is if it turns into diverticulitis, which of course is a little more serious, but can be treated.

If you were not given advice then speak to the department where you had your colonoscopy & they should be able to help you. If you are able you can find all you need on the internet too. Good advice on diet etc. Of course there are always good people on here who are always ready to help with advice.

Best wishes Ally

[Amber307 in reply to heartmatters1]

Thank you Ally. It is diverticulitus and diverticulosis. However I was discharged from the hospital yesterday with no suggestion of treatment. Very confusing. Love Mxx

[Angrybelly in reply to Amber307]

You most likely will get antibiotics and be on a liquid diet followed by a low residue diet for a few weeks. Do not add fiber for awhile to let you colon rest and heal. Taking bone broth and collagen is great for your healing. You may have changes in bowel habits diarrhea or constipation so keep an eye on that. It's not a fun disease and you must watch what you eat.

[Amber307 in reply to Angrybelly]

thank you for your comments but I really have little or no pain, bowel is working well. I take one sachet of fybogel every night. My main concern is so much flatulence. When I asked at the hospital the doctor had no comment. I am going to make an appointment with private doctor as still seems impossible to get nhs gp face to face in under 3 weeks. So will see what happens. I think it is the increase in fibre that has made it so much worse.

[winfong in reply to Amber307]

Diverticulitis is usually quite painful.

As for gas, I'd search on this site for "gas" and "flatulence." Personally, I really like products (non-prescription) with simethicone in them.

Also, there might be a little period of adjustment with any kind of osmotic laxative.

[Amber307 in reply to winfong]

Thank You. I have virtually no pain so cannot understand why they said I had diverticulitus. I think also I suddenly took too much fibre going from very little to30 grams a day!!

[Amber307]

As I have no real pain I am totally confused as to whether it is diverticulitus. My pain problem is severe wind every evening until early hours of the next day. Think I will get an appointment with private doctor early next week and see if she can sort me out. Expensive but may put my mind at rest. Still can’t get appointment with GP for days and then it’s barely 10 minutes. They don’t seem to know much anyway. Will keep you posted. Amber 307.

[Chris2006 in reply to Amber307]

Something like 70% of adults have diverticulosis by the time they are age 70. It is due to our low fiber diets. It really only becomes an issue when it becomes inflamed and diverticulisis, and becomes serious when they become infected or bleeding. Follow the instructions given at the hospital, give it time to heal, and follow up with your GP.

[Amber307 in reply to Chris2006]

Thank you Chris - I can't un derstand why the hospital said I had diverticulitus when I have no pain and poo normally. Maybe they meant diverticulosis. Am so confused and GP is as usual useless. Amber 307