Diverticular disease anyone?

[LaineyW]

Just wondering if anyone else suffers with diverticular disease? I was told I had some 'small' diverticula after going for a barium enema a couple of weeks ago so I suppose it could have been a lot worse but I still have the horrid symptoms of bloating, soreness right across the top of my abdomen and the worry that the Christmas period will render me senseless if I indulge in all the bad stuff (too much wine, nuts, dried fruit etc.)

Anyone else have this thing?

I don't have it, but I am your friendly gastro-radiographer who performs barium enemas.

Have you tried keeping a food diary to work out what disagrees with you?

Most people find that having a diet rich in fruit, veg and fluids is helpful to keep things moving, but also try to avoid too many 'bitty' things as the bits can get stuck in the diverticuli and irritate them, giving you symptoms.

If you get symptoms, keep up the fluids, but if you start running a temperature it is worth a trip to the GP as you can get infection following inflammation of the diverticulum, which can make you feel lousy. Keep an eye on your bowel habit and mention any further changes to the team looking after you.

Hi vole3, thank you for your reply and my apologies for the ridiculous length of time it's taken me to acknowledge it. I also suffer form hypothyroidism and its resulting 'fuzzy thinking' and had completely forgotten I'd posted this!

I will keep a diary I think. The hypothyroidism has meant that my bowel is very slow at working and the high fibre diet I was on was just exacerbating the problem. The GI sister put me on a low fibre diet which I'm currently following. So far it hasn't really eased the problem but it definitely hasn't made it any worse so I will persevere. Catch 22!

I don't envy you your job...

At least I won't recognise your face in the supermarket queue

My DH had diverticular disease about 3 years ago. There are two books which I think you will find useful:
"How to cope successfully with Diverticulitis" by Dr Jean McClelland and "The yeast connection" by William G Crook.

My DH consulted a nutritionist who recommended acidophilus capsules, drinking lots of water and eating slowly/chewing well. Try and avoid stress, eat/drink healthily and avoid nuts (=difficult to digest), strawberries (seeds can get stuck internally), caffeine and alcohol. If possible, reduce/avoid wheat products e.g. rice cakes instead of bread. Good luck!

Thanks mummyandbaby. I do have the Jean McClelland book and it's very good so I'll look out for the other one.

Avoid alcohol...