Diverticulitus and diverticulosis: ... - IBS Network

IBS Network

48,836 members16,115 posts

Diverticulitus and diverticulosis

Amber307 profile image
12 Replies

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.

Written by
Amber307 profile image
Amber307
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
12 Replies
winfong profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
Amber307 in reply toheartmatters1

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 profile image
Angrybelly in reply toAmber307

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 profile image
Amber307 in reply toAngrybelly

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 profile image
winfong in reply toAmber307

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 profile image
Amber307 in reply towinfong

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 profile image
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 profile image
Chris2006 in reply toAmber307

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 profile image
Amber307 in reply toChris2006

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

Laxido21 profile image
Laxido21 in reply toAmber307

I was diagnosed with diverticulosis, and I do have left abdominal pain and back pain. No treatment. Confused as to what type of diet!

Boofers profile image
Boofers

I was diagnosed with IBS years ago and, via a nutritionist, that I had a lot of food sensitivities, which made me terrified to eat anything in case it set my IBS off. Recently I've been living on bread, potatoes and porridge, pretty much, because I was in so much pain and distress. Saw a gastroenterologist, got a colonoscopy, I have diverticulitis. Not IBS and no food sensitivities just a sensitive gut. *sigh* all those years, and I could have dealt with it so differently. The advice was - Diet: I was told to eat more fibre, but I've found too much gives me terrible wind and cramps, so I'm trying to find the right balance, but I'm getting there I think. Not sure about veg, yet, but I'm being braver :). I'm taking aloe vera tablets which, bizarrely, seem to help keep me regular, also probiotics to keep my gut healthy. No nuts or seeds as they can get caught in the diverticula and cause an infection. If you get a flare, switch to a low fibre, gentle diet (white bread, potatoes etc I imagine), or a liquid diet or don't eat for a few days - all to give your gut a rest and time to recover. If it's really bad you need antibiotics as your diverticula will be inflamed or infected and they'll need help. I was told I could get a pack of antibiotics from my gp to keep at home, just in case, which I did. That's all I was told, but it's more information than I had before. Good luck, I hope you are well

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Diverticulitus

Hi everyone, I have been diagnose with diverticulitus a couple of months ago. I was put on fodmap...
Lit27st profile image

IBS/Diverticulosis

I've suffered from IBS & Diverticulosis since i was a child, I am now 62. It's almost a daily event...
Lyndalee profile image

diverticulosis

well after 10 months of many laxatives for chronic constipation, 8 months since an X-ray showed...
Laxido21 profile image

A rest from IBS and diverticulosis!

I am currently suffering from the worst chest infection ?? I have ever had. Dr thinks it may be...
sammysmum profile image

Colonoscopy and endoscopy

Hi all, am going for the above tests next week, I have had them before but over 7 years ago, I...
LucyKris profile image

Moderation team

IBSNetwork profile image
IBSNetworkPartner

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.