Kit's Story

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.

Bets's Story

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.

Paul's Story

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.

Gloria's Story

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.

Nick's Story

Hi, Well like others I thought I just had gas with pain on the right side, I stopped eating but after 4 days I had to call an ambulance (quarter to 12 sat night!), they took me off in so much pain I could no longer walk. Eventually I had emergency resection of sigmoid colon for perforated diverticuli. Had a few calls since then - in fact I'm not good right now - I'll hang on until tomorrow & then ask for antibiotics....Been 5 yrs since the first attack, would recommend regular colonoscopy - and always carry broad spectrum antibiotics on your travels...

Eric's Story

I am a 42yr old male in pretty good shape. I am not obese, nor even overweight and have an excellent high fiber diet. Ha, what a cruddy couple of weeks it has been. The mother in law was visiting and did some cooking. I ate a bit of her dinner (beef soup) and started feeling punk a bit later. It got worse the next day but I still thought I had the stomach flu. Well Monday at work I had a sore left side. I didn't worry to bad till a sharp pain bowled me over. Well, after spending the evening in the ER with lots of drugs, ct scans, and tests the ER said I had accute diverticulitis. I am just coming off my 10th day on the BRAT diet. My doctor has given me a long term diet almost mirroring my normal diet. Hope it doesn't come back but I really have to wonder where this came from in the first place. Folks are right, it is hard to explain to the people at work why I was layed up for so long. Most folks asked me if it had something to do with scuba diving and the ones who have actually heard of diverticulitis kept telling me horror stories about their 86 year old aunts, uncles and grandfathers who now use colostomy bags.