Diverticulitis and Bowel Movements

[Ben234]

I was diagnosed with diverticulitis about 10 days ago. My symptoms were lower left side pain which was trigered (and relieved) by moving and was very sensitive to pressing down on it. When pressed upon the pain was very sharp, like pressing into a muscle tear. I took antibiotics and this pain cleared up. I take my last antibiotics today.
As I'm quite young (33) my Doc has scheduled me to have a colonoscopy next month to make sure it was diverticulitis and not colon cancer.
I'm very worried and suffering anxiety fearing that it may be cancer.
My fears stem from the fact that even though the antiobiotics seem to have cleared up the pain, my bowel movements have not returned to normal since the start of the infection. I have movements in the mornings and they're narrow/runny  (thus causing my anxiety). In the morning also I seem to have a tiny hint of the earlier pain which has cleared up just before the bowel movement, when the lower colon seems full. My questions are, can it take a while for bowel movements to return to normal after an attack of diverticulitis?    If I had one normal wide bowel movement my terrible anxiety bout what my colonoscopy will find would dissapate. Also, can narrow, runny and squeezed movements be caused by diverculitics, the antibiotics or perhaps the anxiety this is all causing me rather than Colon Cancer?
Finally, is there any way I can eat/take things to increase the chance of a proper wide normal stool?
Any help would be hugely appreciated.  
I remember having normal, non-narrow movements as recently as a couple of weeks ago.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

It is possible that the diverticulitis can lead to changes in bowel movement.  Recovery can vary from patient to patient.  

Before attributing the changes in the bowel shape to diverticulitis, I agree that the colonoscopy should be done to exclude colon cancer.  

If the stool shape is abnormal despite non-revealing tests, increasing fiber in the diet can help regulate the bowel movements.  

I would consider an abdominal CT scan at this point to confirm or exclude diverticulitis as a cause.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_

[Ben234]

I should probably add my other symptoms. I have no nausea, no loss of appitite, no blood in stools (that I've noticed) but have had occasionally mildly aching groin. It's really just the narrow squirmy stools which makes me fear a tumor. My white blood cell count was slightly elevated and the other test my doc did to confirm his divertiulitis diagnosis was "not as elevated" as expected. I really appreciate any help or advice you can give me. My problems could be stress related and this forum gives so much help to so many suffering with stress. My colonoscopy is set for 6 weeks time. thanks again.

[Ben234]

Thank you so much doctor. I do appreciate it.
I know the fact that the antibiotics cleared it up doesn't confirm the diverticulitis diagnosis (as it could have been perionitis from a leak caused by a tumour?) but does this fact, plus the fact that there was a non narrow stool only ten days ago before the diverticulitis treatment began, plus the lack of any other symptoms give weight to my doctor's diagnosis of diverticulitis as oppossed to colon cancer?

I'm wondering as because, in adition to my "colon cancer" anxiety, I'm also concerned as if there is no diverticulitis then I should really have my colonoscopy sooner rather than later, and so I should perhaps really push him for a abdominal CT scan before the colonosopy next month?

Thanks again.  

[Jaybay]

The doc won't answer follow-up questions, but I suspect the "loosening" of your stools is simply due to the antibiotics - happens to a whole lot of people.  Your white cell count was up due to the infection - diverticulitis is an infection after all.  Since your symptoms are getting better, I doubt cancer is an issue and it appears you really are being treated appropriately with having the colonoscopy scheduled.  I really do understand the need to have answers Right Now, but do try not to worry too much.  Is there any way you can get moved up on the schedule for your colonoscopy?  People do cancel and you may be able to work in an earlier appointment.

[Ben234]

Thank you so much for your kind comments and information. They are appreciated. Do you know if partial obstruction ever comes with/from diverticulitis?

[Jaybay]

Sorry, I have no idea what the incidence of partial obstruction due to diverticulitis might be.  However, infection causes inflammation of the affected tissues, which can cause scar tissue, or adhesions to grow.  Bowel adhesions could cause the symptoms you are currently experiencing.  When you have the colonoscopy done, ask your doc if he found any spots that were difficult to get the scope through.  That would be one indication that scar tissue might be causing your troubles.

[Ben234]

Thank you so much. Your comments have been so helpful. I feel much better now awaiting my colonoscopy. I suppose I just need to give my colon a while to recover from the infection and slowly get normal bowel function back. After the scope I'll come back and post the results so it might help someone els trawlling through the archives. Thanks again jaybay.

[Jaybay]

I'm so glad!  Yes, it takes time for bowels