Diverticulitis stories

This section is for personal experiences of diverticulitis.

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... Gloria

I had my first attack of diverticulitis in June,I am 59 and I never had any symptoms before. I was having a nice day, my husband and I had gone for a short ride and grabbed a coffee and when we returned, I started getting a nagging pain in my left side and a back ache. I thought I was getting a bladder infection. After a couple hours I started getting more pain and I went to bed and tried a couple heating pads and Tyneol, which didn't help at all. It felt like I had swallowed a bumblebee and it was trying to get out. After a terrible night of pain and no sleep, I called my doctor and I got right in to see her and she gave me a prescription for Cipro and a shot and sent me to the hospital for a x-ray. I had a temp and she gave me blood work also.After all that running around I just wanted to go home and go to bed as I was just worn out. With the antibotics she had given me I was feeling a little better, but I had no appetite at all. My pain was still there but not so intense, I couldn't sleep on my right or left side and I had to sleep on my back, which I hate, even the bumps on the road would hurt my side and I would hold my side to try not move it at all. The next day, off I went to the doctors again for another check up to see if the "bumblebee" had left and it was still there and she sent me to the hospital for a Cat scan, so I had my husband drop me off for the test, not knowing that you drink this nasty stuff and have to wait a couple hours,my husband had left and here I am the hospital thinking, this really stinks...now what. So I sat and drank all of it and went outside and to my relief, my husband was out there, I took him home which is 30 minutes away, as he had to be home to be there for our granddaughter got off the bus and I went back alone, which I didn't want as I felt really terriable and I had my scan done and then they sent me to a surgeon right afterwards and he said he had good news and bad news, the good news was that he thought he knew what I have, "diverticulitis" and explained what that was and the bad news was that he wanted me to stay at the hospital for about 3-days and have a IV and antibotics so I would get rid of the infection. Of course, I agreed, but I wanted to cry as I was all alone and was afraid what was happening to me. But I put on my brave face and followed them to my room. After they got me settled, I called home and told my husband that I had to stay. I spent only day and half there and started to feel alot better, my blood count came back up to where it was suppose to be and no fever. I still had no appetite at all, I could care less if I ever ate. After I left the hosptial I was on Cipro and Flagyl, for 10 days. I think the medicine made me dizzy and I couldn't focus well. I really was happy to get off them. It's been 4 weeks and I still feel really fatigued and I am trying to eat more fiber and drink a lot of water and I still have some feelings of pressure in my left side and diarrhea. As I never had this, I am not sure what your are suppose to feel. I feel somewhat bloated at times and I just don't have the get up and go as I used to. After reading all these stories it has helped me understand some of this diverticulitis and I will be going in this month for a colonscopy. Each day I hope I will feel like I used to and get back on my feet, I have lost 20 pounds and I am trying hard to stay active. I thought I was active before but I didn't eat the right food, I am taking Metamucil daily and hope that will help me.Thanks for all the storys as I was looking for some personal experiences to help me see what others are going through. I hope everyone gets feeling better soon. I never thought I would have something like this. Your stories are a inspiration to me.

The story of... Paul

Hi, Ive just been diagnosed with this at 36 as have been bleeding for months now, and had loads of tests. Not sure how bad mines is, the doctors seem to think the bleeding is from piles (I had 2 banded a few months ago but didn't stop the bleeding). I have very smelly gas (sorry!) I can cope if its just the piles and a little bit of diverticulosis, but I think I've had this for years. About 6 years ago I had a sudden cramp and very temperature. I went to the doctor the next day as the stomach cramps were fading and he sent me to hospital for tests regarding my appendix. Nothing showed up so was sent home. Also, had a couple of bladder infections, which I was told is unusual for a man. Problems with my guts years ago were put down to IBS without any examination. And I even went to the doctor 4 years ago as I thought I might have been bleeding a bit but he just dismissed this as nothing to worry about. Now, I have been bleeding 7 months now, and although I can be pretty confident it isn't the big C as have been checked in that department, if I'd known this might happen, either with piles or diverticulis, I would have changed my diet years ago. As it is, I have now - brown bread, fruit and veg, but may be too late to stem these problems. Mad thing is my dad has just had surgery for bowel cancer, which was successful so looks like problems in the rear could run in our family, although the scottish diet may not help that.

The story of... Kit

I was diagnosed with diverticular about four years ago. It followed several years of abdominal pain and erratic bowel movements. It took a barium enema to clinch the diagnosis. Last summer (2008) I had an attack of diverticultis. I didn't realise it at the time and, thankfully, after a week of fever,stomach cramps and constipation I improved by giving my bowel a rest by refraining from eating. About seven weeks ago I had, what I thought, was the mother of all attacks. I went to see my consultant, after a few days in bed. He gave me some anti biotic and slapped my wrist. He firmly told me that I should immediately go to my ED if I ever had those symptoms again. I never made a full recovery from that bout and then early last week I had another one. My wife took no time in reminding me of what the doctor advised. We went to the ED. Within four hours I was on intravenous anti biotic and pain killers. A CT scan confirmed diverticulitis. Luckily I was discharged a few days later. The docs reckon that if the problem carries on then an operation, to remove the offending piece, is the way forward.

The story of... Bets

Just found this site and think it is great. I have suffered with right side pain since having gallbladder removed in 1991. Have had colonoscopy every few years with nothing showing up. Last one showed leasion in lower right side. It would come and go. For last four months seems pain was there all time, but used to it and not paid to much attention. A couple weeks ago it revved up to a unbearable pain radiating from groin to rib and finally across entire back at kidney level. Went to gp and was tested for kidney infection-none-found tenderness in right lower side as well. Suspects diverticulitis and put me on amoxicillin. After two days pain eased up to almost gone. Starting yesterday the pain is back, not the breath taking type, but constant. this site has been so informative for me. Thank you all for sharing.

The story of... Shelley

Wow there are a lot of us out there! Each of our stories is a little different, but overall there is one thing that rings true for each of us. This disease of diverticulitis has had such an impact on our lives that we have taken the time to write about it. After reading 65 entries, I realize that I may not have it so bad at this point. I was diagnosed 4 years ago after I had a complete hysterectomy due to being diagnosed with cancer, including cervical cancer. After recovering from that (It was one of the best times I have had with my husband, who was laid off at the time. We would sit on the porch in the morning enjoying our coffee, and visit with my parents in the afternoon. It made me realize how nice retirement might be.) I returned to work. Of course I had returned for my check-up before I went back and complained to the obgyn that my left side really hurt. I was told I exercised too soon..even though he told me I could. I ended up leaving work after a week and a half and being sent to the hospital by my nurse practioner (who I contacted because I no longer trusted my obgyn).

She sent me for a catscan after actually listening to me, and diagnosed diverticulitis. I was given Imipromen(sp) and Flagyl for 20 days. It took a while, but it finally did the trick and I felt like I had more energy than I had ever had! I also lost some weight and returned to work. Then wham, at Christmas 6 months later, it hit again. Then again in May, and again in July. Each time I took the antibiotics. I would get more bloated. I was sent to a gastroenterologist who did a colonoscopy. The report was very confusing; it said I had diverticulitis and if I had any more bouts that year I should have a resection done. What? So I began to search on-line for answers. I discovered Serovera AMP, then when it came out, the Probiotics. Has it kept me pain free, bloat free, no. Has it managed this illness so I can function, yes! I spent three years eating rice, yogurt, and applesauce...........and ended up in the hospital last summer after collapsing at a store where I was with my daughter. Scared the heck out of her as they took me away in the ambulance. Diagnosis was very low vitamin D levels; I was put on mega-dose weekly by my nurse practioner. I then requested to go to a nutritionist to try and come up with some other diet; her suggestion was fresh fruits and vegetables (which were my favorites before all this). If I could eat those and be okay, wouldn't I? Anyway, she offered no solution. In the mean time, I kept taking my Serovera AMP and probiotics. As I ate less and less, I did not lose weight, in fact I began to gain back the weight I had lost. Part of this was due to inactivity........I had stopped doing Pialtes and ballrrom dancing because I had no energy and it hurt!!!! Recently, I have decided that this disease has affected my family, my job performance, and my joy of life long enough. I stopped talking about how I feel to anyone........hard to do when you feel the dead weight in your side and the nagging pain in your groin. I then began to start exercising, at first just a few leg lifts on each side, and this week Pilates every other day. We actually went dancing and it was great! I also have spent the last few years sleeping more on the couch than in bed, as this disease makes me feel so isolated and feeling like I don't want to be near anyone, even though I love my husband very much.

I now have made myself be there, and even when I am a little uncomfortable, I find that having relations relaxes me and makes me feel emotionally more connected! In other words, attitude is a lot of the cure. The other parts are taking Serovera AMP and Probiotics, and then also finding out what foods work for you. Sounds like we are all a little different in that area. I can no longer tolerate any raw fruits (except a bananna occasionaly), and also have to cook all vegetables. I find that when I am having trouble with constipation, if I mash califlower or eat boiled cabbage, it helps. The trick is to do it for a day or two, then back off. Otherwise I end up with pain from going too much. And no, a little bit does not give me really bad gas. I also find that if I feel like I can't go, don't push! That causes the groin pain and the left side follows suit. I try and drink enough water; with my job it is a little tough, but I am learning how to make that happen. Currently I am due for my routine colonoscopy, and just had a catscan. I also stopped taking the antibiotics over a year ago...........when I took them it would make it feel better for a little while, but then I would end up having residule effects from the antibiotics a month or two later. It even gives this as a warning on the drug information sheet! I would then feel like I needed the antibiotic again. Then the vicious cycle would continue.I also have considered having the surgery, but at this point have been advised by friends and two doctors to avoid this, which is what I have been doing since I just had major surgery when this all started. I was also tested at the beginning of all this for Celiac Disease and told by the specialist that she was 99% sure I had it, but tests were inconclusive.........so on her advice I have also been gluten free for the past four years, which has for me meant less fiber.....until recently when I started cooking veggies mentioned above. I just wish that it was less expensive to take the Serovera; that it was covered by prescription. I don't understand why something that clearly helps can't be approved by the Food and Drug Adminstration.....and no side effects! I think we all need to lobby for a cure to be found, for more research to happen. While this is a disease we can "live" with, it clearly has affected all of our quality of life! I start each day with a prayer and end it with thanks for living another day. I will keep praying for a cure and a relief for all of us from the pain, isolation and frustration this can cause. I truly am not making light of all that most of you have already gone through..........on the contrary, I hope this can be of help in some way to someone. Blessings.

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