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My backstory is complex, as always.
Had what I thought was IBS symptoms for years, but have been getting progressively worse. In short, periods of intense pain very lower left side of stomach with fatigue,nausea and either the constant need for the toilet or the opposite. My doctor hasn't been much help except to say change diet and get stressed less. I definitely felt stress was a driving factor and have even working on this.
Tried low fodmap diet for 6 months. I have cut out all alcohol, gluten, dairy, any other commonly known foods that cause IBS symptoms (onions, garlic) and other food which seem to go though me badly. Symptoms still persisted.
Had a bleeding stomach ulcer in November and as a consequence had a endoscopy and colonoscopy which was really good fun and also showed that I had extensive diverticular disease. Apparently this is very common in older people and 99% of people have no symptoms.
However, I'm early 40s and the symptoms I get seem to fit exactly with diverticulitis and are really horrible.
My doctor has basically told me I'm on my own as there is no cure and little know about it. To just manage it with change of diet and exercise and praying or something.
I've changed my diet, I'm still ill and it seems to be getting worse and a current flare up has progressed to the point I've not been well enough to go to work and my worry is at my age it will just get worse and worse.
It's hard because outwardly I seem fine, but my insides feel like they are falling to pieces. My work
So, anyone else have this, or am I on my own? Is it diverticular disease that it making me like this, or is it IBS? There just doesn't seem to be any info where people are successfully managing DD and things that I have found people are saying that they have a couple of flare ups per year where as I'm having it every month or two.
My brother has had it for years. Now in his late 40’s he had an operation about 2 years ago to remove some of his gut. He says it has completely changed his life. All his symptoms have gone and wishes he had it done years and years ago.
Thanks for the reply Woody. My doctor has said that he doesn't consider my symptoms bad enough for an operation, and to be honest it does scare me. But, I do feel like my doctor doesn't particularly believe that I have diverticular disease and it's just IBS.
Right now,if I could take the operation, I probably would. I need to start feeling better.
Try and find a specialist and ask to be referred to them. GP's are just 'jacks of all trades' so you really need to be under a specialist.
I've got an appointment today so I'll ask if there is someone I can be referred to.
I've got/had it but mild symptoms only and no pain . Now seems to have dried up but it was lucky it appeared in the form of blood in the Poo as I got referred for an endoscopy ( 2 actually...long wait due to covid) where they discovered a very large polyp that was nearing cancer stage and duly snipped off)
Sorry I can't be of more help but you do need to keep pressing for more help. I was fobbed of by the GP saying likely nothing. My bro who is a retired Doc said ignore that and request referral which I did and eventually got and glad I did.On a side note I didn't find endoscopies too bad really and I'm hightly anxious. Just asked for max meds and sucked deep on the gas which got me high...I mentioned that to the consultant whilst he was snipping and he said "Well hurry up and pass it over!"
The only pain was like you get during stomach cramps and soon passed when each bend is negotiated and inflated.
Sorry to go off on that story. Good luck and keep on hassling as so many are waiting and often it's only being a nuisance that gets you anywhere .
Thanks Kaiser, helpful advice. I had another doctors appointment where I was basically fobbed off again despite me asking for help and referral, but was given blood and urine tests and a tummy exam.
They did give me antibiotics tho as the pain has been bad for 12 days now and no sign of it easing so possibly there is an infection going on.
I just want to add tho that both my endoscopy and colonoscopy were absolutely fine as far as these things could go. Had some sedation for the colonoscopy and it was practically pain free start to finish, went with just a spray up the nose for the endoscopy (they went up the nose) and this was fine too. If anyone is ever feeling anxious about having one, no need to worry it's very manageable.
I've got it. I only found out I had it 3 years ago when I came down with Diverticulitus. Was agony and was admitted to hospital for a round of hardcore IV antibiotics. They diagnosed it with a CT scan.
All I did was increase bran in my diet. I now have a large bowl of all bran every morning without fail. I did start with another flare up when I ran out of all bran for a week, recognised the pain and got antibiotics straight away.
So I'm pretty lucky that All Bran seems to be keeping mine at bay. I dont have any other stomach / bowl issues to deal with though.