Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: Nas on August 01, 2023, 01:40:32 PM
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Does anyone have diverticulitis?
If so, what were your main symptoms?
In February this year, I noticed a dull kind of ache in my left side.
Fast foward to now and the pain is excruciating and tender to the touch.
Pain also radiating into my back.
I have also had lots of abdominal pain and bowel issues (loose and incomplete at times).
Just had a blood test for everything known to man.
2 stool samples done and waiting for one in the post.
CT scan in June revealed nothing but a bulky uterus.
Pelvis scan last week, revealed a 6cm fibroid on the left side somewhere.
I have a mirena which is in situ apparantly.
No clue what to do at this moment in time.
Painkillers do not appear to work.
My fear is a ruptured diverticula ( ?)
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I haven't had diverticulitis but I would assume at the point of rupture you'd have more systemic symptoms akin to an infection?
Is the scan last week the one you were waiting for and worried about? Did they say it explained the bulky uterus? Glad for you that it was just a fibroid they found.
Has anyone actually felt your stomach? My colon surgeon palpated mine before colonoscopy (also lower left abdominal pain going into my back) and said if there were any diverticular they'd be small or he'd feel them.
I reckon you should try and see an osteopath to see if it could be muscular. My actual pain turned out to be my QL muscle. Where it joins the spine it links to the nerves in the abdomen and colon. It's not out of the question that it could be something functional like that.
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Thanks Penguin.
I think you are right, a rupture would present with infection and related symtpoms. Maybe it isn't that.
The fibroid they found, is subserosal and growing outside the uterus. I was wondering, if at 6cm, it is pressing on an organ/nerve?
Only the GP has felt my stomach. Will have to wait for the blood and stool results I guess. Referal to gynae has been done also.
Would an osteopth be able to figure out the source of the pain? I find it hard to believe that such intense pain could be muscular, but you never know. Process of elimination I guess.
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Hi Nas I have diverticulitis and I'm still recovering from a nasty bout of it,I've had 3 flare ups in the past 5/6 years.
I think the only way they can diagnose it,is a colonoscopy or Ct colonography.
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Thanks jaypo
Yes I recall you telling me about your experience a few weeks ago. Will the stool samples be able to reveal if a colonoscopy is required?
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If there are traces of blood they will automatically put you for a colonoscopy.
Your symptoms do sound like diverticulitis,my left side gets super tender to the touch,even now after finishing a course of ABs weeks ago, I can still feel it :(
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Hi Nas,
My husband diverticular disease and diverticulitis which is where small bulges or pockets develop in the lining of the intestine, and diverticulitis is where these become inflamed.
He got his diagnosed with a colonoscopy. He now has to be very careful what he eats especially dairy products.
Take care xxx
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Jaypo, my left side is very very tender. It hurts to press on it. Awful nausea and abdominal pain for weeks now. God I hope something comes if these tests.
Hope things improve soon 🌸
Disco, thanks for sharing.
It sounds a nasty condition for sure. What were your husbands initial symptoms? X
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Hi Nas,
sorry I tried replying last night, but I had problems getting on MM.
Anyway, my husbands initial symptoms were pain in the lower quadrant of his abdomen which radiated round to his back and he was very very tender in that area. He had a colonoscopy to confirm diverticular disease.
He controls it really well with his diet, for him mainly avoiding dairy products and he doesn't have any real problems, apart from having IBS really xx
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Nas can you ask your GP when you get your stool results re diverticulitis. If it's that, a gyne referral surely unlikely to pick it up and you'd need a gastro one for colonoscopy. With the amount of pain you're in, I would hope you'd get a referral regardless of stool results.
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Look up the symptoms on the NHS site Nas,keep away from random sites,one thing I would tell you to avoid is seeds & the like,like seeded bread etc,these are the little blighters that can cause a flare up.
This last flare up I had , I was physically sick and not only was my side sore to touch but I woke through the night with pain on that left side. I would advise just asking the Dr if you need ABs,it's the only thing that will shift it
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My friend has diverticular disease and when she has a flare up she always has a high fever. She did have to go into hospital for antibiotic treatment the first time it happened as she didn't realise the seriousness of it and she had quite a bad infection in one of the pockets. It took hold quite quickly - only a couple of days. Since then she has acted promptly if symptoms happen and also follows the diet recommended by her GP. As has been said colonoscopy is the way to diagnose this condition. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diverticular-disease-and-diverticulitis/
Taz x
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Thanks everyone.
Well the pain continues. It’s either gasto or gynae related.
The gynae referral was done yesterday, because of the fibroid growing outside the uterus wall. GP thought it may be pressing on a nerve/ bowel.
I’ve got one more stool sample to do ( the postal one) and that’s it. I don’t feel as though I have an infection, but crikey the pain is piercing.
What to do? Email surgery and ask for anti biotics? I wish I’d done that yesterday now.
If it is the fibroid, then that’s going to need to be removed asap, as I can’t sustain this level of pain for much longer.
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Hi Nas,
Daft question I know but, is there anyway you can have a face to face appointment with a gp, sort of an urgent one?
At least the gynae referral was done yesterday and heres hoping it will be quick and that scans can be arranged from there.
I really hope something gets sorted quick for you xxx
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Yes disco, I may need to.
Feeling a bit ropey today. Luckily I’m on school holidays, but dreading how I will cope when back in September.
I do have pain radiating into my back. This is new, within the last few days.
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With a flare up I don't always get a fever, I have in the past but didn't this time. I agree with Discogirl,the Dr needs to do an examination of your abdomen,don't let it run on,please let us know how you get on xx
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Thanks jaypo, I really appreciate your input here.
Gp did do quite an extensive abdominal examination on Friday. I also did mention diverticulitis. He wanted me to do the stool samples and blood test first.
I will call them again I think.
Trouble is, this god damm fibroid could also be causing mayhem with nerve pinching etc , I just don’t know. Monday i was on deaths door. Today I feel better but for the back pain.
Do you experience any burning type sensation in the left side of your stomach jaypo? A bit like acid? I have this.. again a new symptom.
Thanks again 🙂
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Hi Nas,
My hubby said his colonoscopy was the best way, as it determined if he had diverticular disease or if he was going to be prone to it, as there was pouches picked up on the examination that were prone to become infected and inflammed.
Buscopan helped his tummy cramps x
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Yes it can cause acid reflux too,this is what made me vomit (sorry) last time.
It's a difficult one,I've had fibroids too but mine were in the womb,had a hysterectomy ages ago now but can't recall having the same symptoms as diverticulitis. If your stool comes back negative,I'd still push for a colonoscopy/CT colonography (the latter is less invasive but will still pick up diverticulitis)
Really hope you get it sorted soon,our bodies freak us out don't they >:(
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Thanks both, most helpful.
Jaypo, I will definitely be pushing for the CT colonography, as the colonoscopy sounds brutal! And it will DEFINITELY pick up diverticulitis ( if present?) 🙂
Oh lord, I want out of my body right now, hating it all 🙈
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Hey Nas,
No medical advice from me as usual,just a hello and what hell? This going on for you on top of everything else. Sorry you have this to contend with now.
Thankfully the ladies on this forum step in again with support advice and experience. Have acid reflux and fibroids too but thankfully IBS was a diagnosis for me many years ago rather than any thing else.
Getting hard to keep our chins up some days isn't it? Take the good days and keep on at the drs.
Hugs always to you x
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Yes it will definitely pick up diverticulitis :)
Good luck my lovely,please let us know how it goes xx
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Hey Sarah buddie :)
How are things?
Long time no speak..
I really am hoping you are feeling a little better? If not, I have chocolate right here for you (you are not off chocolate are you?? ;))
More good days for you now?
As you can see, I am wading through the treacle (yeah same old I know!) BUT thanks to the lovely jaypo, I am feeling a lot stronger and more confident in dealing with these health issues.
Jaypo, you are a true star, thankyou and I will of course keep you updated (or fire more questions at you!) :)
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Hey rollercoaster partner,
Well, I'm still standing so that's a bonus.... My g.p thinks I have as much oestrogen as she is willing to try, an off license 125 patch. But I hate to say it I am in that rare phase where I feel a little perkier. Husband agrees my moods are generally better. I remember feeling like this aeons ago.😁
Though the 10 days or so when period is due ( coil, yay, so no bleed) still build a up to severe pms\pmdd symptoms. I am hoping the hrt is still settling and am on a low dose AD, so fingers crossed it will improve. Moods get scary, I didn't feel safe to be alone last month, but at least I know what I am dealing with and it should pass.
So, arthritis in both hips, and my joint pain and extreme tiredness which I naively thought hrt would help with has got far worse! Blood tests tomorrow, my physio thinks rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia. The joy of it all Nas!
Nooooo chocolate. Higher oestrogen and inability to exercise = weight gain!!! And slightly sore boobs but no way am I reducing patch atm.
Today's a good day so am revelling in that. It all sucks doesn't it but I love in hope for the likes of us
Take care my friend x😍
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💕💕💕
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Hey Sarah buddie
I’ve put the chocolate away for now. It’s always there ( just in case!)
Glad to hear that in the main, your moods are good, that’s nice to hear.
It also sounds like you are become tuned into your body, particularly around the time of your period. At least now, you know what you are dealing with and can kind of prepare I guess ? ::)
Arthritis… mmm not so great >:(. What are your iron / b12 levels like? Fibromyalgia? I’m hoping not….🙏
Keep your chin up pal.. what song are we on at the mo? X
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Yep, trying to stay up on the good days and a slight feeling of dread when I know the bad days are looming....😈
My troublesome have always been low, last blood showed just 30 on the ( ridiculous scale) of 15-200. Been on iron most of my life and gp says it's ok. Hmmm. Anyhow, we keep trundling on Nas.
Hope you get some proper investigations completed soon, pain is no joke.
Song wise I'm keeping it simple Elton John I'm Still Standing (mostly!!!) 😘
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Good choice re: I'm still standing (not sure there is an alternative right now!)
Keep going, you are doing well :)
I'm ploughing on through it all..too much to do at home and in the garden.
I have done all I can right now re: the pain etc..
Currently looking at my diet and considering how I can improve that to avoid any further tummy pains at least.
Sugar I think is going to go..along with dairy...
Upping the water for the bowels...
Prune juice is currently a regular drink of mine now (grim)
xx
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Yes diet choices are something positive you can do. I do the same for my acid relfux. It does help a lot and makes you feel you have a bit more control.
Draw the line at prunes in any form!
I don't like milk so use oat milk, works for me. Just no one ever take my coffee away from me. And yes it is totally decaff!
Like most things it's a bit trial and error. Seems like the chocolate will be in storage for a while yet.😠
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Hi Nas
I've had two colonoscopies, after years of IBS. The first one was pretty bad, but the second one was fine. The experience changed because I went raving to my GP, who then contacted the consultant, and I was given a choice of enhanced pain relief (I can recommend fentanyl).
I'd been struggling by with bowel probs for a long time, and also suspected diverticulitis due to pain, alternate constipation / loose movements and always feeling blocked somewhere. Turned out I had a bunch of massive polyps and some serious inflammation. Once these were removed (during the colonoscopy), my problems disappeared almost overnight.
I eat predominantly vegan diet and avoid most processed food - except wine! I also never ever take codeine.
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Hi
I have chronic diverticulia disease, the best advice I would give is to keep a food diary and see what's triggers you, as everyone is different.
If you get a flare, your gp should prescribe antibiotics.
It's a horrible long life condition
Hope you feel better soon x