DIverticulosis/Colon

About 3 years ago I was diagnosed with Diverticulosis. I had actually went from constant diarrhea to constipation. I would go sometimes up to 2 weeks without a bowel movement which I know is very dangerous and it was also very painful. What I need to know is if some of the symptoms that I am having is caused from this or something else. I have a lot of pain sometimes in my back as well as down both of my legs. I also noticed that when I haven't had a bowel movement for a little while I have a pain in my left groin area. It almost feels as if something is there stopping me from going. After a while of this I finally have the urge to go and I seem to go quite a bit. It is usually diarrhea from this point on. I am scheduled for a lower GI tomorrow, the 10th of March and I am afraid that they may find something else wrong since I have been telling my doctor about this for a few years now and he is just now starting to look into it. My wife searched the internet for symptoms of a blockage and come up with the symptoms for Colon Cancer and so far I have had everyone. I'm not the type to let something like this bother me but this does have me a little worried. My question is, has anyone had some of these symptoms and if so, what was the outcome.

[majella3]

hi there i have been having lft ab pain for 5 weeks was treated for urinary tract infection. then sent for ultrasound came back clear. i only have bm every three days huge amount statrs normal looking then gets looser. am waiting for appointment for colonoscopy very nervous as father died age 54 from bowel cancer. i also suffer alot of flatulence and cramps.

[reidys]

hope everything went ok keep us informed thanx

[Randyb]

I had the Barium Enema Yesterday morning. Once the nurse started everything was very helpful making me feel comfortable. She inserted the tube it caused a lot of pain on my left side where I have been hurting. The barium almost immediately started leaking out. They had to do it again. It did the same thing. Then the doctor came in and realized my doctor had ordered it with air. The doc started and very soon after she stopped and left the room. The nurse told me that she would be back in a minute because she was on the phone with my doctor. This immediately alarmed me. She came back into the room and proceeded. She took several pictures. I was trying to watch the screen which was difficult at times and I have not got a clue what I was looking at or looking for. Once she was finished the 2 nurses started taking several x rays. I'm guessing around 10 or so. When I was almost finished I could gear them talking in the next room saying that the doctor wanted to see these and that they were supposed to flag everyone of them. This really has me scared. I have to wait til Friday now to go back to the doctor. I have been in so much pain since having this done. I don't remember being in this much pain the last time I had this test. Should I worry about these pictures being flagged or is this normal.

[majella3]

try not to worry too much could be just routine. did they say anything at all to you. is it your own doc you need to see friday

[jeanie121]

I had the barium enema with air  few years ago, and it was the first test to detect my diverticula.  I had suffered with diverticulitis for years and even the colonoscopy did not find the diverticula pouches.  After the barium enema with air--I think the air literally inflates the diverticula pouches so they can see them--I was finally diagnosed.  After a few bad attacks of diverticulitis, in which I would have pain in my lower left side, diarrhea, then nothing could pass through my colon, I would be hospitalized and given IV antibiotics and bowel rest.  In January, after my last bad diverticulitis attack in October, I had my sigmoid colon removed as that is where all the pouches were.  The flags on your x-ray were probably all the spots you had diverticula that showed up.  I think if it was cancer, your doctor would have contacted you immediately.  Good luck

[Randyb]

The doctor I will be seeing Friday is my family doctor. He is not known for calling you and letting you know that something is wrong. He doesn't even know what a report says until you see him in the office. He doesn't have a very reliable staff so I think that they receive the reports and just file them. A few years ago I had my gall bladder tested. I went back over a week later. The technician that did the test told me in the office that it was borderline and that I would eventually have to have it removed. He never mentioned anything about it to me during my visit. I had to ask him, then once he read it he told me the same thing the Tech had already told me. I know I need to find a different doctor but up til recently our insurance company had limited choices on which doctor you chose. We now have a different insurance and the choice is ours the only problem is the area that I live in does not have a very good reputation for their doctors or the hospital. From experience I am almost afraid to go to our hospital for more than a band aid.  .

[majella3]

my doc ain't great either same thing just looks up results when you there. but at least he does have all my history on file. good luck tomoorow lets know how you get on..

[Randyb]

I just got home from the doctor and everything came back normal. All this worry for nothing. He did put me on some meds for the spasms but I can't remember the name yet. Hopefully it helps. He also has me scheduled for the upper G.I. in 2 weeks just to be safe. Thanks for all of your support, I do feel a lot better now, well, at least mentally.