General Chat

Thank You To every one who took the time and trouble to reply, a big thank you. It really has helped .Libby can you give your mum a hug from , a new fellow sufferer . Thanks Jacky/Sue for you PM

I was diagnosed with this a while back when I had a barium enema Linda

Libby, respect for your Mum coping with all she has thrown at her. I looked after a lady who was well over 80 and had fought cancer several times, she had a stoma bag and such and was so brave. She lived alone in sheltered housing and kept everywhere very clean including herself. Due to deafness she didn't mix much with people but did have some friends visit and read a lot, and watched tv, in the latter years. Previously while fighting breast cancer and the initial bowel cancer she learned to play the piano and also attended a local college with several others of different ages to learn French, Italian, and Spanish. She was really amazing and brave, and carried herself with great dignity. Even when the cancer returned she tried not to give in to despair, and only now and then did she shed a tear in front of me. Some people have remarkable resources within them to deal with life's difficulties. Hope your Mum gets on well after the treatment. Liz

My Mum was diagnosed in her late forties although she has always eaten a high fibre diet, loads of bran etc, she is now 75. At the moment she is undergoing radiotherapy and chemo for rectal cancer. Prognosis seems good but one of the side effects is a bad bout from divertic. The last thing she needs at the moment !! One brave lady. I would like to think I could be half as brave as her and suffer the indignities she has with such dinity. Love you Mum xx Libby xx

Have sent you a PM. Jacky :-)

Thats Brill But how about under 50s LOL

I gather it is quite common as you get older i.e. 60 plus are 50% likely to suffer from it, although they may not be aware at the time. There is no simple cure as such but the treatment normally involves increasing the fibre in the diet, but also taking a mild laxative to ensure the bowel is cleared and so minimising infection. In all cases it is something you need to see your doctor about and take advice accordingly.

Mum had to have a very high fibre diet all her life and antibiotics every so often. Will pm you both. Suexxxxxxxx

Thanks Sue Was going to ask the same question . I am lead to believe once you have it . Then its for life , I really would like to hear other peoples , ways of coping with this .

Sue, what effect did it have on her life, can you recover easily from it?

Romany just beat me to it.Suggest you look at the NHS Direct for info on Diverticulitis. My Mum had Diverticulitis . Suexxxxxxxx

I was told Im at risk from it as I never eat fruit or veg and I did find a good site by googling. I cant find it again tonight, but you might have more luck. It had a question & answer thingy on it. NHS Direct can be used for info, too.

Diverticulitis occurs when small pouches bulge out from weak points in the intestines, forming 'diverticula', which then become infected or inflamed. It is sometime described as being similar to a balloon of air bulging out of a bicycle tire. The pouches alone, without any infection or inflammation are quite common, and if you have just the pouches then you suffer from diverticulosis. If you have the pouches plus the inflammation or infection then you have diverticulitis. Approximately 10% of people in the US who are 40 or over suffer from diverticulosis, and then around 10 to 25% of people who have diverticulosis will go on to develop diverticulitis. Diverticulitis causes Most doctors think that diverticulitis is mainly caused by the Western style of diet, which is generally low in fiber and has a lot of processed and refined food, rather than healthier diets of wholewheat, fruit and vegetables. Low fiber diets often lead to constipation, and which in turn can lead to straining, hard stools and higher levels of pressure in the colon. More pressure then leads to weak spots in the intestines which can become the bulges and pouches of diverticulosis. The next stage of disease, diverticulitis, where the pouches become inflamed or infected, may be caused by bacteria or pieces of stool which are caught in the pouches.

Just been diagnosed . Any feedback would be more than helpful . Thanks