I CANNOT live with Diverticulosis

[Jenifer__0__0]

  I just turned 35 and after an entire lifetime of battling chronic constipation have been diagnosed with diverticulosis.  From the little I know of the disease, I understand that there is no cure.  The past four months have been a living hell for me.  I cannot eat solid food; my belly is continually bloated; I cannot have a bowel movement without using a major blow-out laxative; using a laxative is a double-edged sword as it causes a good 2-3 days of severe gas and bloating;  my colon is continually in spasm; and my entire abdominal cavity feels like it is crawling with ants.
  Today I had a colonoscopy that confirmed the diagnosis of diverticulosis.  The only thing I've been told is to take fiber.
  I have no hope.  I have been eating a high-fiber diet for years with supplements.  I exercise daily with a personal trainer.  What else am I supposed to do to combat these symptoms?
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Dear Jennifer,
Thank you for your letter regarding diverticulosis.There are severa aspects of your story that are unique.  The frequency of diverticulosis increases with age.  You are relatively young to have this problem.  Also, the severity of your symptoms is more marked than that experienced by many other patients.  The finding of diverticulosis at colonoscopy is important, but should not prevent your physician from doing a small bowel study to exclude other causes for your symptoms.
Treatment should be focused on improving bowel function.  To treat your constipation, I suggest that you try a natural laxative e,g, fiber.  Even though you are taking a high fiber diet, the addition of an agent like Metamucil often improves symptoms.  One can also add Lactulose, another type of laxative, to the Metamucil.  I tend to avoid the more powerful agents because the cramps associated with laxatives can be quite excruciating and if you can avoid this pain, you would be better off. There are some surgeons who will offer a subtotal colectomy operation to remove much of the diverticulae and thereby improve symptoms.  Unless you have had documented episodes of diverticulitis, you should avoid the surgical option.  Surgery will result in a period of diarrhea ( often several months) and you may still have the same abdominal pains.
This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not be considered a formal consultation.  Please consult your physician for specific problems.
We would be very happy to meet you and to work with you to improve your symptoms.  If you would like to be seen here, please call [phone], our Physician appointment Line and request an evaluation by Dr. Fogel. one of our experts in the treatment of colonic diseases.
Best of Luck.