Concerned

[NewEnglander]

I was diagnosed by colonoscopy with diverticulitis in 2019 - and have had about one mild bout a year - treated with a 5 day course of augmentin (antibiotic).

My last episode was almost 2 months ago and I have not recovered - extremely constipated - I feel like I'm going to GO and know I will feel so much better, and mostly it is a very small BM, sort of yellow/tan with quite a bit of orangy mucus. Or just mucus!

Saw my gastro person and he said to eat normally and heal and in about a month he will do another colonoscopy.

I fear this is something different. Something sinister!! I've had hemorrhoids and some minor bleeding. I took Milk of Magnesia and went a little bit but no way am I clearing myself out.

I am weary... thoughts?

[Nikko5]

I have had similar issues. Also take Augmentin. I think u need to take it for more than 5 days. Usually I take it for 10 days. Also eat light for first few days. If necessary get CT . It will confirm if diverticulitis or something else. Good luck.

[binks]

Can I ask what were your diverticulitis symptoms?

[NewEnglander in reply to binks]

I had it diagnosed on CT scan. I have mild throbbing on my left side - can't even call it pain. Usually I take 5 days of antibiotics and I'm done with it. This time I could not poop - at all. I had all the urgings to go and nothing but mucus-y slime, to be gross about it. This was followed by days of diarrhea, which I welcomed - and then back to constipation again. I had nearly stopped eating so my specialist told me to eat normally, which I've done and the colon seems to have gone to sleep. The Milk of Magnesia slowly gets rid of everything. Now I must heal before another colonoscopy to see what is going on -

[Boxroad]

I take senakot to help with constipation and use haemorrhoid cream but have to use it inside and out you will find that stop the feeling of wanting to go all the time, don’t eat anything small that can get stuck in the diverticula like seeds from tomatoes etc.

[Frasina]

Your gastro has advised another colonoscopy and that is the only way you will know if anything else is going on. I would have thought a GP can prescribe something for constipation etc.. You are in the US so doubt you have the waiting times that we do in the UK; good luck.

[NewEnglander]

Yes, I only have to wait to heal before the test. I've heard that there is a big wait in UK - also in Canada. That would add insult to injury. I'm finally taking Milk of Magnesia, which is gentle but takes a long time to fully clear you out so I am housebound on this beautiful long weekend. I want my quality of life back.

[Jamok]

I also was diagnosed with diverticulosis, first through colonoscopy, and also more recently on a CT scan. I am having very similar symptoms almost exactly as you, but it has been taught to be a new medication I am taking. Please let me know what you find out. Thank you!

[NewEnglander in reply to Jamok]

Had to call the doctor today - a holiday here - and he called me back because I have just seen him. I was dropping fresh blood into the toilet - not from stool - and he said it is either internal hemmorhoids or a fissure (cut in the colon tissue) but he can't do another colonoscopy for 2 weeks until I am less inflamed. So, until then, keep "regular" by taking Mirolax (Purolax) and drinking a lot of water and eating "normally", whatever that is.

TY so much for this dialogue!

[Jamok in reply to NewEnglander]

I wonder why he’s not considering a virtual colonoscopy with a CT scan. It would probably tell a lot and not be invasive. What is your colonoscopy four years ago normal other than the diverticulosis?

[NewEnglander in reply to Jamok]

Yes, it was normal - one tiny polyp nowhere near the sigmoid. I also recently had a CT scan and that was all clear except for signs of diverticulitis - here they no longer do virtual colonoscopies I guess. The CT scan was with contrast so masses, etc. would have been seen.

[Jamok in reply to NewEnglander]

What is he looking for by doing another colonoscopy?

[NewEnglander in reply to Jamok]

to confirm it is not colon cancer or some other anomaly that needs treatment...

[NewEnglander in reply to NewEnglander]

he said 98% certain it is not anything cancerous but they always repeat when you have a flareup - I've said "no" to that before - not this time - gotta do it

[Sofaqueen21]

Hi there... all those symptoms are associated with a flare up. I too waiting for a colonoscopy, 10 months now. I usually have to take 2 antibiotics and they wipe me out. To keep things moving try movicol or fybagel from the chemist... orange juice, weetabix. I alternate white and brown bread as I can't do either all the time.

Try not to focus on these things which I know is VERY hard not too. But stress makes the symptoms appear worse.

Loads of people on here to offer help and advise.

Hope you feeling better soon. Take care x

[NewEnglander in reply to Sofaqueen21]

Thank you! I am going down the rabbit hole with all of this - can't sleep - supposed to be taking care of my new grandson in 15 days twice a week - I have to be well...

[winfong]

I was in a similar situation. Gastro put me on two osmotic laxatives, MiraLAX (polyethylene glycol) and Citrucel (methylcellulose). One dose of the former and two of the latter, every day. The Citrucel was bothering me a bit recently, and I switched to FiberCon (polycarbophil), which has been great. I am almost never constipated - which is a really good thing for my diverticulitis.

[Frasina]

Apologies NewEnglander.. I meant to say that in the US you do not have the waiting times, we do in the UK!