Complicated Diverticulosis?

  I'm a 33 year old female with a history of peptic ulcer (age 16),
  clostridium deficil (age 25), and, currently, proctitis, with
  confirmed blood in the stool (although my doctor is still performing
  tests).  My symptoms have suggested to him that I might have
  "complicated diverticulosis" -- rare for someone my age from all
  I've read.  My symptoms are as follows:  lower left quadrant
  tenderness, severe constipation with intermittent watery diarrhea,
  bloody mucous - coating hard, small, pellet-like stool (or
  ribbon-like when it's softer).  I'm currently using Rowana enemas
  and waiting for the results of my CBC and sedimentation rate, and
  for the swelling in my rectum to subside before further tests are
  run.  What should I expect if, indeed, I have "complicated diverticulosis"?
  and are there any other possible diagnoses?  {I should note that
  I have peripheral nerve damage, caused by an L5-S1 intervertebral
  disc herniation, which affected my bowel and bladder function.  I
  have control of my bowels, as long as they are solid, and perform
  ISC to empty my bladder.}
  Many thanks!
ear Lauren,
I am uncertain what your physician means by complicated diverticulosis.  If yu have to strain at defecation, you could develop diverticula (even at yourrelatively young age).  Complications of diverticula are bleeding (usually large amounts of blood lost) and diverticulitis (severe pain due to inflammation of a diverticula).  Without seeing you and performing an evalaution it is difficult to know what to suggest regardng stool softeners.  If at all possible you should try for soft stool that can be expelled without much straining.  Taking metamucil will allow for large soft stool but will not cause the liquid stool that appear to be a problem for you.
This information is presented for educational purposes only.  Always ask specific questions to your personal physician.
HFHSM.D.-rf
*keywords: diverticulosis
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