I'm awaiting tests to see if i have diverticulitis (bowel infection) as I seem to have all the symptoms of a nasty flare up. I've not been diagnosed with this before and was told I just had IBS 2 years ago when I first became ill.
I've now been incredibly ill for the last 7 weeks, in so much pain in my lower left side, feeling sick, spinal pain, ice cold shivery and night sweats and a whole lot more symptoms like alternating diarrhoea and then not 'going to the loo for about 4 to 6 days. I'm trying to work and look after the DCs but am not sure how to manage the pain and the general feeling of being so ill I could pass out at any time.
I'm avoiding any painkillers as I think Ibuprofen might have contributed to me being ill 2 years ago and my doctor said take nothing for now till I'm diagnosed.
Fellow sufferers, presuming it's diverticulitis - after nearly 7 weeks feeling extremely ill, is there anything I can be doing for myself that might help? At times I've been so nauseous I've not been able to eat for days and then when it subsides and I eat, I feel worse - especially if I then have a poo. It's always so much worse after that. However, if I don't eat, I inevitably feel ill and weak through lack of fuel and nutrients.
My consultant has told me to carry on eating just bland foods - and I've lived of tiny meals of chicken, cod, white rice, mashed potato and rice cakes for 7 weeks now. I've therefore lost almost a stone in weight. But should I stop eating again for a longer period, as I've read that the bowel needs a rest from food if you get a diverticulitis flare?
Any advice from fellow sufferers would be welcome. Two years ago, I think I also had this - undiagnosed - and it took 4 to 6 months to get better. Not sure how I can be in this state for that long again.
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General health
Diverticulitis - how to cope?
17 replies
Whoremoan · 17/01/2017 17:15
OP posts:
jason777 ·
11/07/2023 19:19
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