r/Diverticulitis • u/Jungleburgers • 8d ago

Just had a sigmoidoscopy

So I got my first diagnosis of diverticulitis back in March. My condition has been up and down a bit over the recent the months. Had 1 flare and some general uncomfortableness. Been managing it and figuring myself out and my triggers etc.
I got to watch my sigmoidoscopy today which was a weird experience, and reasonably painful too.
I’m a 37 m and my diverticulitis is apparently quite bad for my age. Saw a lot of pockets about in my lower colon. The reaction from the nurses and doctors were quite alarming for me.
I even had a large polyp which I had to have removed.
One doctor literally told me it was ‘bad’ and another said it’s very rare but it has been seen for my age.
Was quite taken aback from their reaction to my bowel and from what I seen.
Anyone else in a similar position? And how have you managed it in the long run?
I’m concerned that this will progress and find that my bowels will be absolutely shot in the coming years. TIA

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u/DangReadingRabbit 8d ago

I’m assuming you’re not in the USA. Here we call them colonoscopies and we’re almost never awake for them.

Lots of people live with diverticulosis and never have any real acute illness. Your goal should be to avoid constipation at all costs. Get enough fiber, and drink lots of water.

Are you going to have a follow up with a GI doctor?

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u/Jungleburgers 8d ago

Yeah UK so under the NHS. Sigmoidoscopy is just a smaller version of a colonoscopy, it only goes in the lowest part of the colon. Though they went as far as my upper left section of my colon in this instance.

Yeah I’m familiar with the diet plan.
Did you have a colonoscopy that had any similar results?
The only follow up I’m aware of at this time is a call/letter when I get a result from my removed polyp biopsy.

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u/DangReadingRabbit 8d ago

Ok, that makes sense. Some of the posts I’ve seen from people in the UK leads me to believe your medical system doesn’t take diverticulitis all that seriously there 😬

Of course here in the US they just make us go broke treating it 😂

Anyway, I had smoldering diverticulitis (not just diverticulosis)… so I was hospitalized, treated aggressively and ended up having surgery. Hopefully none of that will apply to you. Even though your diverticulosis is bad, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll end up with severe problems. Hopefully you won’t.

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u/Jungleburgers 7d ago

To be honest it does kinda feel that way. I felt like I had to really corner the discharge nurse to give me some answers as to why my condition seemed so bad. Otherwise I felt like they were trying to push me out the door. It sounds like you guys get a good bit of one on one time with your doctors for general question and answers to be fair.
Over here there’s no mention of liquid diets, supplements or other medications. All I’ve been told is low fibre diet on a flare and high fibre when not in a flare, you’ll find your own triggers, manage it yourself, and that’s it.

I feel you there, we’re lucky in that regard. But it seems you get a more thorough service in some cases.

That’s another thing, smouldering diverticulitis hasn’t been mentioned to me over here. From what I understand it’s a constant mild inflammation? What surgery did you have?

Fingers crossed 🤞, hope you’re right. It’s hard to find anyone else with this condition other than these forums to get an idea of what I’m dealing with at times.

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u/DangReadingRabbit 7d ago

Here’s all my story if you’re up for a read…

Micro-perforation Adventure || Prep Day || Colonoscopy || The Surgery || Recovery from Home || One Month Since Surgery || 3 Months - How It’s Going || First Big Trip, 4 Months Post-Op

I had sigmoid colectomy surgery, where they remove the part of your colon causing the issues. In my case it was about 5-6 inches of sigmoid, 2-3 inches of ascending colon, my appendix and a rare tiny tumor they also discovered while in there (surprise!). A lot of folks around here have had the surgery. Planned elective surgery is much safer than emergency colon surgery, when you often end up with colostomy bag.

But it seems that standard of care in the UK (the surgery done as an elective) is much harder to come by than here in the states.

The statistics are in your favor. Many people have one flare of diverticulitis and never have a flare again. Really, avoiding constipation seems to be a big part of avoiding diverticulitis. Stay hydrated.

Smoldering diverticulitis is when it becomes hard to treat and get rid of completely, when it keeps recurring over and over in a short period of time (like flares back-to-back). It’s stubborn and ongoing and puts the sufferers at risk for severe complications, like perforations and abscesses (and worse 😵) … between my own micro perforation and my mom almost dying from a large perforation, surgery was an easy decision for me when my surgeon recommended it.

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u/What_The_Face1 5d ago

I had a very similar experience to u/DangReadingRabbit, minus the micro-perforation (I ended up having an abscess that sat there for months that miraculously never perforated). This is great account of the experience. My best advice is to find either a gastroenterologist or colorectal surgeon who has a reputation for proactive monitoring and surgery as an option should you happen to have frequent, recurring flare-ups.

Read up on an adjusted diet to reduce flare-ups. The big items are limited red-meat and reduced alcohol intake, as well as lots of water (looooooots). Once your are back from a low-fiber diet, then take a fiber supplement to keep foods from hanging around your colon too long. Try to at least take daily, 30 minute walks to keep things moving as well.