Severe abdominal pain, gas, constipation

[worknonjoy]

I have IBS, GERD and had an upper GI almost 12 years ago and was told that I had a pocket in my colon on the right side.  No treatment necessary.  Since then I've had some pain in my ride side off and on - but either thought it was the pocket or adhesions from my appendectomy.

I've had chronic constipation for several years, but in the last couple of weeks I've had pretty severe abdominal pain, gas and constipation.  My doctor game me Amitiza, but it didn't do anything.  I had some Kristolose which I took and Magnesium Citrate and that helped a bit.  I figured I hadn't been having enough bran, so I've been eating lots of fruits and vegetables and drinking lots of water.  But I've been very bloated - painfully.  I have a very sensitive colon, perhaps because of the diverticuloses, but I took some Ducolose and it worked.  I'm also taking Gas X, Kristolose, magnesium citrate, & Amitiza every day.  But everything is temporary, I'm bloated as soon as I eat and I'm not able to eat very much because of my bloating.

What makes matters worse is that I'm scheduled for major surgery out of town in two weeks and I can't get in to see a gastroenterologist before then.  I guess if I just try not to eat too much and to take the laxative a couple days before the surgery along with the Kritolose and magnesium citrate (I think I will drop the Amitiza since I can't tell it's done anything) I can make it through.

I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia along with everything else.  Any advise?

[Jaybay]

I suspect the reason for your recent bloating is the additional fiber in your diet.  Most people add it far too quickly, and it will really bloat you up and make you gassy.  While increased fiber will help your diverticulosis from developing into diverticulitis (infection developing from trapped material in one of those little pockets) you have to add it very slowly to avoid those unpleasant side effects.  Try reducing the fiber for a few days and see if that helps.

What kind of surgery will you be having?

[worknonjoy]

Thanks for the reply!  I am having surgery for my sleep apnea - nose and throat surgery.  I'm having it in California and will be leaving to go out there in a little more than a week.  This surgery has been planned for several months and I really need it.

I'm hoping that you are correct.  It's hard to say how long I've been bloated.  Actually I am a bit concerned as my stools have been rather thin and I've lost some weight the last six months.  I was thinking it was due to the change in my thyroid medicine - but not sure.  I'm a bit worried that I might have a partial obstruction.  I'm alternating days of high fiber cereal with day with fish and spinach and sweet potatoes for instance.  I am eating prunes and fruit though.