Diverticulitis??? Can this cause tenderness anywhere in your abdomen?

[bgb1976]

Diverticulitis??? Can this cause tenderness anywhere in your abdomen?
Wondering in stead of me worrying about colon cancer, (im 33) I was wondering if diverticulitis can cause bleeding in bowel movements (every time) not always alot but always some, and I have tenderness and pain in a couple different spots, maybe right at or a little above line of belly button but off the right side and left.. I do have colonoscopy scheduled for Mar... 23... Geeessss I m so nervous.

[Hunko]

Hi bgb1976,

I say ditto to all that lakeralum wrote to you.  Yes, the pain can be anywhere in the abdomen. About 75% present on left side and mid left side, but can be anywhere the colon goes, even across the lower abdomen, and to the right side.  As to the right side, if you have not had your appendix removed yet, I would be thinking involvement possibly there also.  

I would not just jump in to have a colonoscopy done to determine if it is diverticultis is suspected.  If they are badly inflamed or infected, and barium enema or a colonoscopy could cause you more trouble than dealing with the diverticulitis in the first place.  Doing a colonoscopy during a flare-up of diverticulitis could lead to a rupture of your colon, and that is big time bad news.

I would ask my doctor to do the proper blood work first: eg: CBC, ESR, and CRP, along with a CAT scan with contrast of the abdomen.  This will ascertain with almost absolute certainty that it is diverticulitis.  If not diverticulitis, then I would have your Gastro guy go forward with the Colonoscopy.

I myself was facing a Colonoscopy for all the same reasons you are right now except for the bleeding, tomorrow morning, until I did a lot of soul searching as well as searching on all the big hospital and medical sites.  I was scared to death to get the Colonoscopy done when there was a chance that it could be diverticulitis, because I do have a history of diverticulosis.  My doc just handled me off to someone else to do this with 5 weeks of time to the other tests which he did not do.  Tomorrow morning I look for a new Gastroenterologist.  

Please let me know how you make out with all this, I would be interested to know that all works well with you.

PS:  If your doc will not do the blood work, and the CAT, if I were you, I would look for a new Gastro guy.

Best to you, and May God Bless you, Hunko (Harry)

[lakeralum]

in answer, yes.  abd. pain, tenderness, bleeding, all common with divertic.  in fact, colon cancer is often painless until late stages.  far more likely to be something like divertic. or irritable bowel synd, esp. given your age.  would recommend following divertic. diet until you have your scope to confirm.   (no nuts, seeds, etc)  also watch your fiber intake, important for all colon health, including helping to prevent cancer down the road.