Diverticulitis is a common disease of the bowel, in particular the large intestine. Diverticulitis develops from diverticulosis, which involves the formation of pouches (diverticul...
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Pain Management???
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Hi there. I'm new to this website, but I found it necessary to register because of the difficulty I'm having finding out the information I need about this disease. I am only 23 years old and have been having chronic, sometimes severe pain in my left-side for months. I recently had a CT scan done and they told me I had diverticulosis/diverticulitis. They didn't specify which one, but I assume it's diverticulitis because of the severe pain. I have a few questions I really need help with...
1. What are my pain management options? Over-the-counter medication such as Aleve or Tylenol don't do anything for me; the only relief I've gotten is from stronger medications such as hydrocodone and oxycodone. The thing is I'm afraid of using these because I know they cause constipation, and I don't want to make my problem worse! But living a normal life without pain medication is not really an option for me. I need to work to support my son and I can't work if I'm in alot of pain. I've read that Demerol is the preferred medication to treat the pain of those with diverticulitis, but are there any other options? Also, how hard is it to get prescribed Demerol? 2. What kind of doctor do I need to follow up with? A gastroenterologist is what someone recommended me, but is that my only option? Are they more expensive than regular doctors? I have no insurance and I'm going to have to pay for everything out of pocket.. so cost is definitely a factor. Any other suggestions such as dietary or lifestyle changes would be appreciated. I'm really confused because I keep reading conflicting things on the internet about what I should do. I have made dietary changes since my test results came back in, namely eating alot more fiber and drinking more water, but are there any other things I need to do? Thanks again in advance, I really appreciate it. Adam Posted on 05/12/08, 10:05 pm |
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Don't add fiber until the pain has passed. While you have the pain, you should be on a low residue diet. Google "low residue diet" and you will find plenty of info.
Once the pain has gone away, then slowly build up the fiber in your diet. Maybe five grams a day for a week, then ten grams daily for a week, then fifteen etc. I found that moderate activity helped ease the pain. Too much rest didn't help and exertion didn't help. Try a nice walk. It can take several days for the pain to pass. Just stick to the low residue diet. If the pain is unbearable, then you may need antibiotics and a prescription painkiller. 
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Let me be direct. GET HEALTH INSURANCE, not only for you but for your child. This should be your first priority. My diverticulitis was not helped by antibiotics, and I had to have surgery. The bills were over $50,000, and that's with a 7 day hospital stay and no complications. If you are having diverticulitis, your CT, and blood work should show that and you need antibiotics NOW to prevent it from developing into something more serious that can't be easily fixed. Your primary care doc should be able to refer you to the proper specialist, usually a gastroenterologist or general surgeon with experience in colon-rectal surgery.
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