Diverticulitis

[Wolowl]

I've just been diagnosed with diverticulitis after having back/hip pain for a couple of weeks which then included excruciating abdominal pain. At that point I went to A&E and ended up being diagnosed after a CT scan.

I got been given the bare minimum of information at the hospital so just wondering whether there's any online info, other than the NHS site, where I can be pointed to to help me navigate this.

I got 2x2 types of antibiotics in the hospital and got sent home with more to take. I'm still feeling rough & exhausted although the pain has definitely lessened. I feel some of it was from the A&E experience as well as being ill.

I'm in my late 30s & don't have any of the markers that are normally suggested for diverticulitis.
I do have a Drs apt at my GP in a couple of weeks in case they can help going forward, but just trying to get better at the moment.

Many thanks.

The antibiotics will clear the pain. I have suprax and metronidazole to start whenever I need to. It isnt a hurdy gurdy vague syndrome that can be helped with herbal cures or anything much else like irritable bowel. When it flares up, it flares up. Just try to eat reasonably sensibly and make sure you can access medical care when it does flare. It can be life threatening if not treated when there's a severe infection. There is no pain like it, I do sympathise, I find Buscopan and Panadol are helpful when I am waiting for the antibiotics to kick in. Where I live Metronidazole is OTC and the most effective of the two, I dont know if it is in the UK but it is essential to have meds on standby.

When its really bad, regular coca cola really helps as well, it seems to be the one thing I can tolerate and it gets some energy in

Thanks for this. Yes, very aware it couldn't be managed with anything other than medicine etc. I was just surprised with how little information I've been given considering the potential seriousness of it.
Also around the eating sensibly element of it, just a lit to take in I guess.
Thank you

It is a lot to take in and I think people whondon't know just think its a lifestyle thing like IBS and belittle it. The pain is scary sometimes isn't it, as if it shouldn't be safe to feel this level of agony. I ended up having an ovary removed because the adhesions were so severe. I get a couple of infections a year now and normally its when I have been really constipated rather than food although eggplant is not my friend! Its worth buying some buscopan and using when you get twinges, it is almost instantly helpful if you need it. Usually thats enough to see off a full blown attack. Don't let people minimise it, you have been diagnosed with a really serious condition that could need surgery! Take care x

Thanks very much for this, it was really scary but at the same time had my Mum & DH thinking I was exaggerating, so definitely something I need to be aware of before it gets to that point if possible.
Thank you very much

Hi
Just to come back to this. Can I check how long it normally takes to feel normal after a flare up, obviously taking into account it's probably different for everyone?

I was signed off for a week, back in to work now and still not feeling 100%. Just want to see if I'm being unreasonable in regard to how long I'm going to feel exhausted and run down for.
Thank you

I was diagnosed a few months ago after a trip to A&E and a CT scan. The antibiotics worked really quickly to reduce the pain, but it was a good 4-6 weeks until I really felt better.

I had a week off work and struggled with tiredness when I went back.

I think you should be feeling better by now, usually the antibiotics clear things up. It is worth having a very careful diet for a while, bland and take fibre, the powder type like benefiber along with an antispasmodic. See if buscopan makes you feel better. I feel.for you. I remember how hard it was to get momentum back in the early days x

Thank you, that sounds like me at the moment. I got back in the office yesterday and cried, so not ideal. Will see how things go.

Thank you. I think the antibiotics have done their job + I've never had so many antibiotics before, so they really threw everything at it! I am being very careful with food, still not eating loads as I'm not feeling like it, but that may well be contributing to the tiredness.

It can be managed with diet in most cases - however, for some weird reason, that is not an option offered in UK. However, Australian health services are all over it:

I think this is exactly it. I didn't eat at all for about three days then ate a restricted diet for a couple of weeks, I had no appetite. So with that, plus the impact of the antibiotics and your gut still healing, it takes it out of you.

For me, I was also badly affected by anxiety for the first few weeks, scared with every little twinge that the severe pain was about to happen again. So that didn't help how I felt either.

Yes, diverticular disease can often be managed by diet, but a diverticulitis flare will likely need antibiotics. I had a fever and chills along with the pain - an untreated infection in the bowel can lead to very serious complications.

The fear is so real! I have a set of antibiotics at home now and he said start as soon as I need to, that has really helped.

I was diagnosed at 38 following hospital admission. Then five years later I was admitted again with a pelvic abscess secondary to a diverticulitis flare.

my question for you: How are your stress levels?

On both occasions I was working in a highly toxic environment. I resigned in 2018 and returned in early 2024. On reflection, I believe that stress is a BIG contributing factor to my diverticular disease.

I’m 45 and was diagnosed with this 13 years ago with a ct scan and colonoscopy. I try to eat a healthy diet and avoid nut and popcorn. The last 8 years I’ve had 3 flare up and use co-amoxiclav which gets me well again. It can be the worse pain and can sympathise.

Can I just ask those who suffer, does it make you vomit and constipated. And are the pains similar to contractions?

I am so stressed! Work and home so if that's a factor then that isn't ideal.

I’m sorry to hear that, truly. Whilst not wanting to add more pressure, and stress, I would recommend looking at some self care options to build your resilience (and how I hated being told this!).

Gentle movement (walking), finding out if you have trigger foods ( I can’t handle sweetcorn and popcorn) and Yoga with Adrienne (YouTube) all give me pockets of peace.

wishing you a speedy recovery and sending some peace your way

I agree with this. I've been really struggling with anxiety in peri menopause and in the months prior to my flare up and diagnosis I was even more anxious and stressed due to a failed house move (chain collapse).

I could feel it was making me ill, I started getting terrible reflux and other stress related symptoms. Then within weeks of that the sudden onset of what turned out to be diverticulitis.

Thank you all.
I've also had a build up of reflux & vomiting over the last year. Had a gastrocopy + abdominal scan and all were clear so wonder if it's all just been building up.

I’m going to echo this. High background stress I can get a flare if I get sudden acute stress.
However also drinking enough water - I take a litre a day almost medicinally and enough fibre seems to hold it off.
A Lot of veg, not just wholemeal bread. It grumbles but I haven’t had a flare for a few years now. The last time my Gp signed me off for 2 weeks.

You poor thing! I remember my first flare, it was horrific. I was on my hands and knees on the hospital bed vomiting. I’ve had a few flares since but none as bad as that. I keep a stash of antibiotics at home and always take some with me on holiday. I avoid popcorn, nuts and seeds and drink plenty of water.

I'm awaiting an appointment with gastro for suspected diverticulitis. Was referred in May and it's probably a year waiting list.
I saw a consultant privately and that was his suspicion. Had two flares which lasted two months and three months.