Diverticulitis stories - page four

The story of...Wendy

I am just in the middle of a a bout of diverticulitis at the moment, hoping that I do not have to go into hospital. In November last year I was hospitalised for eight days, luckily missed out on having surgery.

I have had massive bowel surgery previously for bowel obstructions (I was hospitalised for a month) which was a result of an operation for gallbladder removal which went horribly wrong. I am very tired a lot of the time, and find eating small amounts often throughout the day is easier.

Because of previous obstructions I am not able to eat any high fibre foods, so it is very limited what I am able to eat. I enjoy a lot of steamed vegetables and tinned tuna in olive oil, rice bread in small amounts and smoothies with rice milk (I am allergic to dairy, gluten also), eggs and banana for breakfast.

It is extremely hard if I want to travel etc as I also get fairly regular bouts of severe diarrhea with very severe pain. I am 55 and try not to let this interfere with my life too much, which I usually enjoy when not ill. It is really helpful to hear from other people with this problem.

E-mail Wendy: wendybrighton[at]hotmail.com

The story of...Martha

I was diagnosed with diverticulitis tonight after having probably three or four attacks over the last six weeks. The first attack I thought may have been an ectopic pregnancy as my menstrual cycle had been out of whack - this was a rare possibility as I have had a tubal ligation.

I managed the pain throughout the night and then went to my GP. After an ultrasound, it turned out that I had had a 5cm cyst on my left ovary that had burst. I began to feel better over the next week, but I was constantly drained of energy and nauseated, vomiting or retching most days.

The ironic thing was that I thought I had depression, as I just seemed to lose that get-up-and-go that I normally have. In a weird way I am relieved that it is a physical illness, although it seems that it is a lifelong one. It is amazing to read through all the stories and find out what others experienced is exactly  what I have been through for the last six weeks.

The story of...Jean

I am 70 years of age and I have suffered from diverticulitis for 12 years. I am able to control it most of the time mainly by watching what I eat and drinking a lot of water. The last bad attack I had was about 16 months ago, the pain was very bad and my temperature soared. My doctor sent me to the hospital where I was put on intravenous antibiotics for about five hours. That got rid of the temperature and I recovered very quickly after that.

You learn to live with the complaint, and I know when I am going to have an attack, and telephone my doctor immediately for antibiotics. I don't wait until I can't stand the pain to get treatment, because by acting quickly I can prevent the attack all together.

E-mail Jean: happyhawk[at]btinternet.com

The story of...PE

I have just returned from the out-of-hours doctor at Chase Farm hospital. I feel great in that he has made a diagnosis of acute diverticulitis, but I still feel like....but you know that!

I have had pain since April 2005, when I was diagnosed with a kidney infection. I took the antibiotics and the pain came back two days later. I have managed the pain basically since then on my own. In the last few months the pain has been getting more consistent, but again I just got on with it and managed it on my own.

Last week I finally got to see my doctor (again) and I told him that this pain in the same place, lower left-hand side, was getting bad. He referred me to the hospital and gave me something for indigestion.

Since last week the pain started to keep me up at night and I realised this was bad. I rang the out-of-hours doc and now I know what's wrong. All of your letters to this site just confirm what I have been going through, maybe not as bad as some of you though. I have been given Fybogel and mebeverine and some antibiotics.

I'm now gonna get started on life with a high fibre diet. I had some serious surgery last year, I'm not going there again. It's just so good to get a name at last to this worry. I did the "thought it was cancer" thing too and began to sort out my affairs, you know, insurances and all! I will still get those things in order but trust me, I'm not going anywhere!

Thanks for reading, I feel so relieved!

E-mail PE: ttmada[at]hotmail.com

The story of...Lyn

I have had diverticulosis for several years, and every now and again I get a flare-up, with lower left-sided abdominal pain which is sometimes so bad I can't walk easily. My own experience is that when it is really bad I have to avoid most vegetables, as they seem to irritate my colon and make things worse. Also seeds and wholegrain bread are a no-no.

I find it really helps to take it easy for a day or two, drink lots of tepid water (easier on your system than cold water), eat small easily-digested meals, and avoid stress. I always get to see my doc when I have a flare-up, and get antibiotics.

E-mail Lyn: lyn[at]windycreek.plus.com

The story of...Rebecca

I have been home for three weeks since having an ileostomy, first stage of reversal. Has anyone else had reversal surgery? I am petrified and have not coped with this ileostomy at all well.

E-mail Rebecca: becksisbetta[at]yahoo.com.au

The story of...Ian

In July 2003 I was operating my own landscaping company. I was very busy, ate on the run, fast food Rotten Ronnies (McDonald's) mostly. I thought it was a great deal, $5 and I get change back, fantastic!

I began to have lower abdominal pain and frequent urination. I visited my doctor, and after a urine test he gave me some antibiotics. I felt better for about two months. Then I had another attack, and my doctor prescribed more pills, telling me not to worry, "It's only a bladder infection".

Little did I know my abdomen was slowly filling with abscesses. I remember crying in bed wishing I was dead, it was agony. This went on until January 2005. I had not urinated in 36 hours from my bowel pushing on my bladder.

To make a long story short I had to get a colostomy bag for six months. After six months I returned for reversal surgery, but it was unsuccessful, and I needed an ileostomy for a further three months. I then had another surgery to reverse this.

I now eat a high fibre diet (25 grams a day) and at least eight to 10 glasses of water a day. My stomach muscles are wrecked, my back gets sore often. My former family doctor I am going to file a lawsuit against, after being my doctor for 10 years.

My doctor did not realize I was in the hospital, he was there to visit another patient, when I was at my worst and thought I was going to die he turned his head and looked away. Sorry I rambled, good luck and contact me if you have any questions.

E-mail Ian: iacrowe24[at]yahoo.ca

The story of...Paul

I was diagnosed with diverticulitis in 1982, and for the best part of 15 years I tried to control my symptoms with a high fibre diet. It didn't work very well, but I knew that the frying pan was my enemy.

On a holiday in Tenerife I weakened and had steak and chips, expecting a reaction. There was none. The reason was that the meal had been cooked in olive oil. Since then the only thing I avoid is vegetable oil and I rarely have any problems.

E-mail Paul: paul_brighton[at]tiscali.co.uk

The story of...Mark

I had diverticulitis in 2004. I had over a week of constant pain deep in my left side. I was on an antibiotic and it helped, but I started passing blood. I had a CT scan and they saw that my colon had ruptured and I was full of infection!

I had surgery and had to wear an ostomy bag for three months. After the three months I had the ostomy reversed and now I can use the potty the regular way. I have cut out everything that uses to even give me stomach pain from my diet, I don't want to ever risk this condition again.

I have lost over 65 pounds and feel better. I cut out all corn, seeds, beef, and stuff with hulls. These things always uses to hurt my stomach. I also switched to lactose-free milk because I am also lactose intolerant. I don't want to ever get this stuff again. E-mail me, I would love to talk with you and hear your story and diet ideas.

E-mail Mark: Gaylord67[at]webtv.net

The story of...Sonja

I am 28 and I have a lot of the symptoms that you have all spoken about. Like some of you they always check my ovaries. But I have diarrhea all the time, as well as being constipated and feeling like I have a large ball of something in there, with side pain, and the constant fatigue, as well as worsening with the onset of my periods. Sex is just way too painful during this time.

I too have blood in the stools, and they always tell me my white cell count is extremely high, but never once have they checked me for anything like diverticulitis, or anything to do with my bowels. My husband and now the doctors seem to think I am an over-exaggerating hypochondriac!

Yes they have done an endo-vaginal ultrasound and found nothing. I constantly seem to end up with vaginal discharge, and feeling like I have a yeast infection! So am I crazy like I am beginning to feel or is anyone out there feeling my PAIN I'm even taking anti-depressant because of this!

E-mail: esor1sdog[at]hotmail.com