Diverticulitis stories

This section is for personal experiences of diverticulitis.

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Please do NOT ask medical or dietary questions in your story - these should be directed to your doctor, and from now on won't be published on this page. This site is for sharing personal experiences ONLY.

Please note: I cannot give any sort of medical advice - I am not a doctor and have no medical training. This page is for sharing stories only.

The story of... Charles

40 year old male with no history of digestive troubles. Decent diet and reasonably fit. 4/12/08 I was out in the field all day with daughter and dog for some dog (hunting)training. Felt great. 4/13/08 Woke up feeling aches, early afternoon chills with a bit of fever, and by evening felt abdominal pressure. 4/13-14/08 Late night- early AM excruciating pain - really 'crazy' bad doubled over pain that made me dizzy and nauseus and drenched in sweat. I felt very gassy but nothing was moving. 4/14/08 Morning wife convinced me (it wasn't hard) to call doctor. Set appointment for late afternoon. Doctor thought it might be bad constipation or blockage. Very tender belly. He sent me to hospital for xray and blood work. Just got to hospital in time for xray and lab. Doctor said no blockage, prescribed laxative, sent me home. He called back several times in evening to inquire and was getting more worried because lab work showed infection. He called at 22:30 and told me to be safe should go to emergency room for cat scan. Drove myself. Arrived 23:30, ED doctor guessed it might be perforated diverticulitis. I drank contrast, and around 3am on 4/15/08 did ct scan. Doctor immediately saw 'free gas' = perforation = emergency surgery (=crap bag). 4am call to wife to say 'goodbye???' (scary). 5am surgery. Advice: If doctor offers epidural - TAKE IT!!! Woke up in recovery room. Doctor said 4-6 inches of sigmoid removed. He thought things went well. I stayed 7 days in hospital and was standing by first night. Lots of walking. Digestive system shut down for 4-5 days. Occasional morphine but not much pain. Tearing off tape with hair etc. almost tickled compared to previous pain. Back at work on 5/5/08. Still not used to bag. One surgeon said 12 weeks, my doc said he prefers closer to 24 weeks. For those of you who had surgery, how long was it before the plumbing was reconnected? My father had same thing when he was in mid 60's and after almost dying, he has been pain/symptom free for over 10 years. I really hope that I will suffer with bag for next few months, and then be done with it! Did I mention that if the doctor offers the epidural, that you should take it?

cflutz[at]gmail.com

The story of... Julia

Hi,ive just been told i might be suffering from diverticolitis.Having yet to see a consultant,im still at the early stages. Reading all these stories has really been informative,as the symtoms of bloating,left side pain,severe cramps and fatigue correspond with the possible diagnosis. I felt that nobody really could understand the sense of despair one feels as an attack comes on,i just thought it was IBS and that was that.Now im prepared and ready to fight this annoying and unpleasant disease.Everybody sounds so brave and i know that i can beat it too. Thankyou for sharing your stories and tips,im not so afraid now. Looking forward to go to war!

julia5tuart[at]hotmail.com

The story of... Mitch

I started getting cramps and pain under my rib 4 years ago, I saw my local GP only to be told it was just Cholic, I'm 47 years young now, 43 when I started to get this pain. This lasted for 4 weeks, then I started getting these odd sore throats and acid reflux and the Diarrhoea. went to the local GP only to be told it was a virus, and this increased over 4 years! Last Year (2007) I went to A & E about 20 times, it was the same pain, under my right side under my rib, according to me GP it was nothing to worry about, then on the 21 st attack I collapsed at home we rang for a Doctor and a Paramedic turned up to assess the situation, I begged for pain relief only to be told "Sorry I'm not qualified to give you anything", so we had to order a taxi. I was in hospital for a week while they conducted tests, they found that my gallbladder was so full of stones it was a miracle I could stand, I was put on a strong morphine drip to ease the pain, after August 2007 I had my gall bladder out, everything seemed OK till January 2008. Now I have had Diarrhoea every other day, then bloating and trapped wind and pain in the same area where the gall bladder used to be. When I went back to see my local GP it was pointed out that I've made far too many appointments to see doctors. From the other stories I have read it seems that I'm suffering from Diverticulitis so I have made a private appointment to get this sorted out, hopefully.

creators[at]ukspecialists.com

The story of... Yvonne

Four years ago I was taken into hospital for diverticulitis which had almost perforated my bowel. I was on holiday in Italy when I started to bleed and in excruciating pain. Upon return home, I immediately went to my G.P. who referred me to see a Consultant. As I had private health care, I was seen and operated on within 2 days. For four years I was back and forward to my G.P. with pain, bloatedness, wind, constipation and diarrhoea. My life seemed to resolve around the loo and my G.P. said that I had irritable bowel syndrome. I just put up with it, but the flare-ups made me miserable. After the surgery, a small hole in my navel led to a fissure which had to be packed daily and was getting bigger. After three months, my Consultant took me back into hospital where a section was opened and cleaned out as I had contracted MRSA. Some four years on, the symptoms are back, I have just been to my G.P. who has confirmed that. I am a very active women, who works full time, eat healthy and try not to let things get me down, and am at a loss why this very debilitating condition is back. As far as the surgery is concerned, I was fortunate that my Consultant could re-join my bowel, but if I knew that to go through all the post op discomfort with the surgery genrally and added to that the MRSA, I would not have had it done. The problem now is, am I going to end up with yet more surgery which would upset me immensely, as the mere thought of it frightens the life out of me. If anyone has found aything to take other than the usual Mebeverine that helps, I would be truly grateful.

evecolkett[at]msn.com

The story of... Sylvia

HELLO TO ALL, I HAVE SUFFERED WITH DIVERTICULITIS FOR 3 YEARS NOW. I HAD SEVERAL ATTACKS AND YES TWICE IN THE HOSPITAL ADMITTED FOR 3 TO 4 DAYS. I FINALLY HAD TO HAVE THE SURGERY PREFORMED TWO YEARS AGO, I HAVE SINCE FELT BETTER UNTIL RECENTLY I STARTED BLOATING, AND LOWER LEFT PAID AGAIN, IT IS VERY VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO FEEL THIS WAY, ESPECIALLY WHEN I HAVE GONE THROUGH SURGERY. I CHOSE TO RIGHT TO TRY TO HELP ANSWERING ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING OR THINKING ABOUT SURGERY. I EXCERSISE DAILY I EAT WELL I TRY TO DRINK LOTS OF WATER, I DRINK WINE 1 GLASS EVERY TWO DAYS, I EAT LOTS OF VEGGIES AND FRUITS, AND WORK OUT DAILY. IM A FULL TIME EMPLOYEE AND MOTHER OF 3 TEENAGERS I AM 41, NOW IF PEOPLE SAY THIS IS RELATED TO STRESS THEN IM ASSUMING HALF O THE WORLD WOULD HAVE DIVERTICULITIS, TELL ME ONE PARENT, EMPLOYEE AND WIFE WHO IS NOT UNDER STRESS. I PERSONALLY THINK I HANDLE MY LIFE WELL AND I DONT FEEL I AM STRESSED COMPARED TO OTHER PEOPLE. I HONESTLY THINK DIVERTICULITS IS SOMETHING THAT UNFORTUNATELY WE THE PEOPLE ARE BORN WITH AND IT EXPANDS THE OLDER WE GET. UNFORTUNATELY IT IS PAINFUL AND FRUSTERATING ALL I COULD SAY IS IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING SURGERY, AND HAVE HAD SEVERAL ATTACKS YOU HAVE TO BE PREPARED TO ACCEPT THAT YOUR DIVERTICULITIS MAY RETURN, IT HAS FOR ME, AND I REFUSE TO HAVE SURGERY AGAIN, NO WAY, IT WAS VERY PAINFUL AND TO THINK THEIR IS NO GUARANTEE, IM WILLING TO ANSWER OR TALK TO ANYONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. MY SYMPTOMS ARE LOTS OF GAS, BLOATED, LOWER LEFT PAIN AND MY LEFT LEG HAS PAIN GOING DOWN. I GET VERY VERY BLOATED, I WOULD LOVE TO SHARE MY STORY WITH PEOPLE AND HAVE PEOPLE TELL ME WHAT THEY EAT. THANK YOU FOR READING MY STORY. EMAIL ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR ANSWERS. THANK YOU

sylviamondragon[at]hotmail.com

The story of... Charlotte

Hi All,

I've just been reading ALL your stories and I'm amazed at how brave you all are. I'm off for a colonoscopy on Friday to see if I have the diverticulitis that the consultant suspects. My story may seem a little irrelavant to begin with...

I'm 29 and in 2000 I was diagnosed with Endometriosis on the left side of my womb and abdomen which was incredibly painful but treatment made me depressed. After going back and forth to my GP and several on off years of treatment and anti-depressants I chose pain management instead. The depression lifted and I was soon feeling more like myself. The pain management continued and over the last eight years due to the pain fluctuating I have been treated for various water infections or told it's just the Endometriosis', then they would try and offer me the same treatments I was on previously. Eventually I stopped going to the Doctors and continued with the pain management as best I could. In Novemeber 2007 however, the pain increased more than was normal for me. My lower back had been hurting and I had very slight, but noticeable (if only to me) swelling of the left side of my tummy, it also felt strange, more like jelly than the right half. Is this something experienced by sufferers of diverticulitis? I decided to go and see my GP, he referred me, unsuprisingly to the obs and gynae dept at my local hospital where, after a consultation and two scans of my ovaries and kidneys (each 6 weeks apart, I was given a laparoscopy.

The result was no Endometriosos at all! Not even any scar tissue from the previous diagnosis, this puzzled me as something is causing the pain, the Doctor then told me that they had found an adhesion of the small bowel to the abdominal wall but hadn't taken any pictures, they referred me to another consultant. After a discussion in January this year the new Consultant suggested that I might have or have had diverticulitis that has caused pressure on the small bowel causing it to adhere. I've been trying this high fibre, more fluid diet and to be honest I feel worse than before. I used to get the pain about once a month with increased pain during my menstral cycle but now I just feel bloated, full of wind all day everyday and increasingly tired. Is this likely to settle down as my body adjusts? So here I am today looking towards my colonoscopy on Friday and hopefully some answers.

Your stories have been inspiring and I do share many syptoms with many of you. However I don't suffer with diarrhoea but have been treated in A + E for constipation. I will update you on what I find out on Friday.

Archetypalaries[at]aol.co.uk

The story of...Marilyn

I have also suffered with Diverticulitis , I was in agony in and out of hospital for months , I finally had an illostamy and have now had it reversed , I can say it wasnt plesant but i managed , I have now started having the pains and cramps all over again, I dont know if anyone has had it after having part of your bowels removed , as i have , i would love to hear from any 1 who has, I know and understand the pain we are all in, it is hard for us and our families please if any 1 has been through this let me know thankyou

marilyn.williams2[at]btinternet.com

The story of...John

I know how frustrating it is to try and find help on this topic because I was looking for help 18 months ago and got confused. I think that's because this disease has totally different symptoms for different people.

My father is in his 70's and he gets the bleeding some mention. The hospital keep taking him in for scans but can't find the exact point of bleeding. 3 days in there and then he's out again. Sounds scary but apart from the attacks, which come when he's stressed, he's OK just a little weak after the bout.

I'm 47 now and 16 months ago I had incredible pain which doubled me up but I never bled. It was diverticulitis which led to surgery. I had the whole of my large bowel removed. I was lucky enough not to need a colostomy bag - my surgeon was brilliant. I'm not going to give dietary advice because I no longer have the problem - it hardly ever appears outside the large bowel which I no longer have so I should be OK. If you are about to have surgery or have just had it I can tell you it's not nice but the hospital staff were brilliant at dealing with pain - there was virtually none and compared to the pain of attack it was a breeze. You simply have to accept that it will take time to recover.

I took 3-4 months to feel somewhere near strong but I managed a full round of golf after 8 months and 12 months on I played 5 a side. I eat normally and drink normally, I just go to the toilet a bit more often than some people - don't worry about the first few weeks where you feel as though you're constantly going it does ease off and I'd say 2 or 3 trips a day which is a small price to pay.

Occassionally I feel bloated but that's because I only have the small bowel now. Other than that I feel great. So, if you have pain get it checked out. Even if it leads to surgery it's miles better than suffering the pain - nothing comes close. If you've just had or need surgery take time to recover, don't go back to work too early - it's not as important as your health - and remember it does get better!

Good luck!!

The story of...Michael

Hi, I'm 40 years old and have suffered from bouts of diarrhea for as long as I can remember (my early teens). Having had a working career in sales, I've always had stomach cramps, abdominal pains and butterflies ahead of the usual sales presentation, meeting etc, and like most people, had picked up a leaflet from the doctor's surgery on IBS, as they were the same symptoms. Eating certain foods also led me to believe I was an IBS sufferer.

It wasn't until recently though, and after two hospital in-stays within two months (first one five days and the second four days) that I have been diagnosed with sigmoid diverticulitis. The first hospital visit was abdominal pain which turned out to be a perforated bowel plus a kidney stone; whilst the second visit was an acute pain to the lower left hand side of my stomach.

I've been prescribed Co-Amoxiclav as an antibiotic and Mebeverine for stomach spasms. Buscopan has also been prescribed in the past too for the cramping pains. Following two CT scans, a barium meal x-ray, a colonoscopy, colon biopsies, numerous blood and urine tests, I have now been referred to a gastroenterologist. Hopefully, I will learn more about the workings of the gut, the digestive system and nutrional support. I'm not keen on the sound of surgery and will do anything I can to ensure it doesn't get that far. I've also been told to increase the fibre in my diet...oat, wheat based cereals, brown/wholemeal bread, leaving the skin on potatoes & apples, and to drink more water than I do.

I have been recommended to try the natural vegetable remedy called Isagbol (psyllium husks) by several people which aids the digestive system. Hopefully my experience may sound similar to you and look forward to reading more of your stories.

The story of... Patricia

My husband had his first outbreak of diverticulitus two weeks ago. He's now recovered from the attack, thanks to the info I got from this website. So I want to give something back: In addition to what our docor prescribed - two antibiotics and a painkiller- we tried to adhere to a liquid diet and took two to three tea spoons of aloe vera liquid supplement. our experience is that everytime he deviated from the liquid diet and tried something solid (for example, on the third day he ate a bagel with chicken salad), the pain returned to torment him for hours. SO PLEASE DO STICK TO A LIQUID DIET FOR AT LEAST THE FIRST FIVE DAYS AFTER THE ATTACK!

To make the liquid diet more fun, we alternated between chicken soup with carrot,rice and greens from a local gourmet store, chicken soba (Japanese noodle soup with some chicken strips and a hard boiled egg in it. I tore up the chicken to many small pieces and didn't give him all of it), and Chinese beef chowder (we added some white rice). We made at least three meals out of each of the above-mentioned dishes. So, definitly, mini-portions are the key. Also, steering away from coffee, I gave him apple juice througout the day. To avoid too much glucose, try diluting the juice with spring water.

We benefitted greatly from the "Personal Stories" as well as the "Treatment" and "Diet" sections of this webwite, especially the ones recommending multiple small meals instead of three full meals througout the day, the warning against any food with nuts and seeds, and the tip with regard to the benefits of aloe vera. We also took comfort in knowing that so many people suffer from the same illness and that, at least according to some of the stories here (and now we have our own experience to confirm it), THERE CAN BE A HAPPY ENDING. So, whoever you are, if you are reading this, keep your spirits up and may God bless you and/or your loved one.

The story of...Mary

I don't remember a time when I didn't feel bloated, constipated, etc. But back in April of 2006 I ended up in the hospital and was told that I have diverticulitis. I stayed for six days and came home on antibiotics - Levaquin and Flagyl

I felt better for about 10 days, then the bloating etc all came back. I just had a colonoscopy and an EGD. The doctor said that I'm still having spasms, which I knew, and that it looks like I also suffer from IBS.

I've lost almost 40lbs since April and everyone just keeps telling me to get more fiber in my diet, which is hard to do when there aren't a whole lot of foods that will stay down or stay in. It's so frustrating.

E-mail Mary: battist[at]centutytel.net

The story of...Jonna

My husband was just diagnosed with this condition today. He was in excruciating pain while on vacation but was sent home diagnosed with abdominal pain. I didn't worry too much about it since it seemed to be cured by antibiotics, but after reading these articles I am scared that he will always be in constant pain. Is this true? Does diet really help? It seems he should eat lots of fiber.

This diagnosis now explains a lot about the heartburn he has always experienced. I feel for all of you that have this. After seeing what he has gone through this week, I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. Any information on how I can help him would be appreciated.

E-mail Jonna: jonnashields[at]yahoo.com

The story of...LeAnn

I just came home from an ER visit followed by a three day, three night hospital stay on heavy IV antibiotics. I knew I had diverticulosis, so whenever I got the abdominal pain and diarrhea, I would just stay home, take some over-the-counter pain medicine and suffer. But this time it went on for three days and it felt like labor pain. When I got to the ER, they did a CT scan and found the diverticula were inflamed.

All the doctors I saw suggested surgery to remove the effected colon. I asked for diet suggestions and they gave me the usual no nuts and high fiber. I am 34 years old and have two children. Any suggestions would be appreciated. The CT also found an ovarian cyst on my left ovary. I'm not sure if this is related.

E-mail LeAnn: ikejr[at]netzero.com

The story of...Barb

I have just returned home from hospital again with another flare-up of diverticulitis. Nothing like morphine to numb the pain. What medications does anyone else take? I am taking Flagyl and Cipro but have severe diarrhea.

E-mail Barb: bmkenny53[at]yahoo.com

The story of...Stephanie

I was diagnosed with diverticulitis in June 2005 after a night of excruciating abdominal pain and a visit to the ER. I was on antibiotics for two months and despite massive amounts of these drugs my sigmoid colon abscessed and perforated my colon. To say the pain was unbearable is an understatement. If help was not available, I would have chosen to die.

I ended up with a hospital stay of 16 days and then home for four weeks to reduce the inflammation in the colon. Followed up by a two foot resection of the sigmoid colon. Fortunately I do not have a colostomy bag.

I am a 46 year-old woman and am a healthcare professional. I tire very easily now and feel exhausted almost every night around 6pm. I exercise, ride a bike, etc. I have always been very athletic. Don't smoke. Not overweight. Does anyone else have this exhaustion?

E-mail Stephanie: tigerzz[at]alltel.net

The story of...Eileen

I've just found out through a barium enema that I have diverticulitis. I am concerned as my doctor says it's in the large bowel and the colon. I didn't seem to get much advise from my doctor, but I go back to the hospital in May as a follow-up. I have been given mebeverine tablets to take when I need them.

I don't understand when people say they have had several attacks. My pain is in my left side constantly and my stomach is bloated constantly. The pain is like a ball of wind under my left ribs. I have had these symptoms for seven months now.

I don't drink a lot of fluids which I have been told I must, and I'm wondering if it's through eating a lot of bread which is my main diet. Besides fruit and veg has anyone got any dietary tips.

E-mail Eileen: eileenw2[at]hotmail.co.uk

The story of...Jim

I was recently diagnosed with diverticulitis. I am 41 and have always had bowel issues, although nothing that has affected my lifestyle at all. Even now I have had my second bout of pain from the diverticulitis and the antibiotics clear up the pain by day three.

However I had a scare about five days into my antibiotic treatment as I passed blood, about a tablespoon, at the conclusion of a bowel movement. It hasn't happened since and my doctor tells me that it is a symptom of my diverticulitis. He also told me not to be concerned about the bleeding unless it continues. Has anyone else had bleeding like this?

E-mail Jim: jfricejr[at]comcast.net

The story of...Debra

For years I suffered with upper left flank back pain. I went to the doctor time and time again, and I was told it was my back, but then I lost a lot of weight. One night I just doubled over in pain, went into the ER and a surgeon decided it was my appendix. The next day I was still no better.

After a few more days the surgeon decided to take a look at my bowel, and when I woke up he said I had had a severe attack of diverticulitis. I have had an attack now for over a week, I know it was probably something I ate last week. It has been helpful reading some of your stories, as I was never told exactly what I could or couldn't eat.

E-mail Debra: sas_pur[at]msn.com

The story of...Ronnie

I just got diagnosed with diverticulitis last night. I have had five attacks within the last one to one-and-a-half years and never saw anyone about it because the pain would only last about two days. But after having an attack just last month and another in the past couple of days, I was annoyed enough (and doubled over enough) to go to the ER.

By using the internet, based on my symptoms, I had narrowed it down to an ovarian cyst or diverticulitis. After having a trans-vaginal ultrasound, the possibility of an ovarian cyst was ruled out. So it was onto the CT scan w/contrast.

I had to drink three large glasses of some substance that they mixed with peach iced tea - still tasted yukky, but it was tolerable - anything to get rid of the pain. They gave me Toridol in an IV and three Tylenol tablets orally.

The CT wasn't bad either, and it was quite a relief to finally have an actual diagnosis for the pain and learn that it wasn't cancer. I do know that one of the things that I am guilty of is not drinking enough water - I am so busy that I often let myself get dehydrated. Now my concern is having to pay close attention to my diet and trying to figure out the food triggers for this pain. Wish me luck.

E-mail Ronnie: brianandronnie[at]aol.com

The story of...Eileen

Hi everyone. My sister has diverticulitis, and has had all the tests, and was on antibiotics by IV. Her first attack was early in December, and she has been in and out of the hospital since then. She is now at home, and is not improving that much.

I have been searching on the internet for things that might help her. Has anyone tried aloe vera, and has it helped? What about papaya? She told me that she doesn't seem to be healing that well, and I would like to know if anyone had tried aloe vera or papaya, or any other treatment, as to help the intestine to heal. Any information will be appreciated.

She eats small meals through the day, and finds that this is better than trying to eat a full meal. She is allergic to milk and rye, she has soya milk, and uses this on cereal, and is going to cook with it. I have found some recipes for cooking with soya, and am going to send them to her. Thank you.

E-mail Eileen: Brysea[at]telus.net

The story of...Dotty

I also have diverticulitis and this is my second bad bout. No pain meds helped me. I just came home from the hospital and now have to see a surgeon. I am 56 years old and need to have surgery. If anyone has had the surgery please let me know, thanks.

Update...Well, I had the surgery. I had a foot of the large bowel and a foot of the small bowel removed. He said it was really bad. I came home on a Monday and was rushed back Tuesday from my incision opening up. I had an infection and I was really sick. Well it's been three months now and I have this terrible pulling on both sides of my belly. I've got to go for a catscan to see what's up.

E-mail Dotty: dottyann49[at]msn.com

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If you need help with your treatment, medications or diet please ask your doctor - it really isn't safe to rely on advice from people you don't know, who may have no medical training, and entirely different symptoms from your own.

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