diverticulitis.. maybe?? - Bowel Disorders Message Board

fatsomouse · 05-13-2005, 06:52 PM

On May 10th, the lower left side of my abdomen started to hurt. It only lasted 15 min, and i still could continue to work on what i was doing at work. I hadn't eaten for a couple hours when this occured, and i noticed that i couldnt even feel it if i sat down. Then again, today, may 13th, my lower left abdomen hurt again, but this time it lasted less than a minute, and it was right before i ate something. Does this sound like diverticulitis? IBS runs in my family though too.

I have been researching this for a little while today, and it sounds like diverticulitis because it kind of feels like appendicitis, but on the lower left side. I doesnt stop me from what i am doing though, so i was wondering if it might be something else, or if it might be diverticulitis, and it will get worse as time goes on.

phantoap · 05-13-2005, 08:28 PM

I don't think so. I'm pretty sure diverticulitis has more severe symptoms than just some left sided pain for a few minutes. Diverticulosis, maybe, but if it's that you should be able to treat it by changing your diet (eat more fiber, especially). If you do that, then even if it is diverticulosis, it shouldn't turn into a serious problem. If IBS runs in your family then I guess it's possible that you are feeling some mild symptoms of it, very mild. It doesn't sound like anything you should worry to much about for the time being. First try adding more fiber to your diet for a couple weeks and see if that makes it go away. If it gets much worse then maybe see a doctor, but what you are describing now sounds like it's not a big deal at all and you are probably just worrying too much about possible severe conditions you have.

fatsomouse · 05-13-2005, 08:43 PM

thanks for the reply so quickly! That sounds like a good idea to add more fiber and see if it helps. i will try that and see if it gets better, and research it some more, and if it doesnt help, i will see a doctor.

thanks again.

phantoap · 05-13-2005, 09:04 PM

No problem. I'm actually feeling similar mild pain, lasts longer than 15 minutes, comes and goes. Sometimes lower left, sometimes lower right, sometimes both. I just started taking a fiber supplement to see if it helps. You can get generic metamucil for pretty cheap.

I was told my pain could be referred pain from a fissure that the gastroenterologist saw way in there. I don't know, though. Hopefully we both feel better with added fiber, less dairy, and more fruits and vegetables. I don't know about you, but my diet is terrible!

fatsomouse · 05-13-2005, 09:40 PM

yeah my diet is ok, but I am a very picky eater. i probably eat too much dairy, and not enough fiber. I just looked at all of the food in my house and it is all like: this supplies 5% of your daily fiber. the highest i saw was the oatmeal we have that is 24%. But that is hardly any fiber if people are supposed to get 100% or more lol. The fiber suppliment is a good idea. I think i will try that.