I Need An Honest Answer!

Question

I was diagnosed yesterday with diventiculitis...very, very painful.  At the time I refused a shot and refused any pain meds but today I had them call in only 8 pain pills.  I filled it but have not taken any.  This pain is about to kill me but I don't want to go through withdrawals again.  I'm 28 days clean right now and don't want to wreck that.  Suggestions or advice?

dominosarah · Answer

I am glad you have a plan to get rid of them.  Feel better~

PurrfectlyKrazy · Answer

Thanks everyone. I survived the night...though I didn't sleep very good. Finally fell asleep for a few hours at 7 a.m. Woke up painful but not very, very painful. Was able to eat a little bit. Tomorrow will be better. Pills are locked up...because everything shows up on every bit of medical these days I'm going to "wreck em" in the bottle and then take them on my next doctor visit so he can see that I'm sticking to my program!!!

dominosarah · Answer

If you arent going to take the pain meds then i would advise you to get rid of them.  You dont need them laying around when you do start feeling better.

glassguy · Answer

Good luck!!! On whatever you decide to do. Iknow you will make the right choice cuz it sounds like you already did...you're a very  strong you will prevail....ooooooo

msdelight · Answer

Hi and I hope you are feeling a little better today. I have to agree that the opiates will aggravate the bowel and stop up the works keeping the infection inside. Also at 28 days, why risk getting caught up in the cycle again. Hope you have a speedy recovery and a happy 30 days! Stay away from nuts and seeds.

PurrfectlyKrazy · Answer

Thanks for the article.  I had already been advised that taking the pills will make it worse so hubby has locked them up.  I don't really want them anyway....I just wanted some sleep!

PurrfectlyKrazy · Answer

Thanks hun...but I got some advice from someone who has this disease and apparently the pills can and will make things worse so I will manage...I really think it should start easing up soon :-)

clean_in_ks · Answer

I can only tell you what I would do if I was in your shoes.  I would give the antibiotics time to work; rest your colon; push liquids and soft foods ONLY for now; read all you can about diverticulitis.  You have to give yourself TIME (the gag word) for the inflammation to settle down.  Narcotics are constipating....and that definitely will cause you more pain.  Plus they aren't really designed for reducing inflammation.  Here's a good read:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/197934-what-are-the-treatments-for-diverticulitis-with-constipation-and-spasms/

Be good to yourself.....you've already come a long way baby!

IBKleen · Answer

You need to lear n the difference between needing pain meds for legitimate pain and using as an addict. Eight pills yous ay? Do you have someone to hold them? You will not have withdrawal from that and if you are in that much pain you are a fool not to take them. Again, you need to honestly understand addiction. I hope you get through this hun.

Back2Me · Answer

You WILL have withdraw even with only 8 pills worth. Trust me on this one.

PurrfectlyKrazy · Answer

Thanks.  It helps to have an idea of what is going on.  I'm 36 hours into the antibiotics and suspect that tomorrow it should start easing up.  I've not been able to eat because all the antibiotics have messed my tummy up.  I did manage a cup of soup last night and a small cup of apple sauce tonight.  I will take your advice and not take the pills....I don't want to do anything to aggravate this disease at all!   Drinking tons of water!

perfectliar · Answer

Yay! Good advice! Good luck to you!

ariley13 · Answer

Hey there! I also suffer from diverticular disease and had my first bout of diverticulitis a few months ago. Very painful stuff! I made it through without taking any narcotics, but that by no means should influence you. If you need them, take them, just be smart about it. Have someone else keep them and take them for the shortest time possible. 

I can tell you that the antibiotics kicked in and helped more than anything else would have. A low residue diet with lots of starchy, bland foods also helps. If it gets too bad a clear liquid diet is best. As painful as diverticulitis is, a lot of doctors don't want you on anything that would possibly mask further complications. Also, opiates have a tendency to 'stop you up' bowel wise and that's a big no no with diverticulitis. 

Only you and your doctor know what is best for you. Make an informed decision and you will be a-ok. Wishing you a speedy recovery and much needed relief. Take care of yourself.

PurrfectlyKrazy · Answer

My gut tells me I'm still too early into my recovery.  I have a feeling even just those few pills would put me back into a withdrawal situation...maybe not as bad as the first one but still...don't want to go through that.  I think the antibiotics (taking a total of 10) should start kicking in by tomorrow so if I can survive tonight I should be okay.  Gave pills to hubby told him to lock em up!  It's killing him to see me in pain but he's holding to his word to not give me anything!

perfectliar · Answer

Ok, so I'm a rookie on this site and I'm only a few days clean, but what is your gut telling you? I'm guessing it's telling you to be cautious and that's the reason why you have not taken any. Trust your gut! Maybe you can  look online for some ways to alleviate the pain without medication... And by the time you do a Google search and find some things out, hopefully someone with a lot more experience in this area can offer some advice! And when they do post the advice, I will be using it as well!