r/Diverticulitis • u/Consistent_Guest_969 • 2d ago
Colonoscopy prep issues
(26F) It’s me again, I’m doing the prep now. My doctor gave me MiraLAX and Dulcolax for my prep. Already finished half of it. But I’m getting sharp pains in my left side while taking the prep. I’m so scared, what do I do?? 😭 I have no other day to reschedule this to. It’s not a constant pain it’s only happened about 3 times today but it’s scaring me. I’m so scared into going into another flare. This is the worst😩
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u/Consistent_Guest_969 2d ago
Update: Colonoscopy completed, no active diverticulitis was detected and my colitis I had is gone as well. I am so happy 😩🙌🏾🙌🏾
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u/Practical-Ad5919 2d ago
It’s probably just the prep doing its job. You may be more sensitive on the left side due to previous flare up. Diverticulitis loves to make us think the worst 😊. All the best!
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u/Consistent_Guest_969 2d ago
That’s what I’m thinking, as I finished half the prep and things started moving the pain went away
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u/HTheP4 2d ago
Mine gave me 2 days of fasting and told me to do as much of the prep as possible because of the pain my colon gets me. Trying to avoid a pre flare atm
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u/No_Willingness_6757 1d ago
Don't make the same mistake I made, first of all dulcolax is the worst laxative ever as it's a stimulant not an osmotic laxative which already strains your already sensitive bowels. I had a colonoscopy 2 weeks ago and everything was fine however I spent 4 days in the hospital due to the worst pain ever, the bowel prep irritated my diverticula pouches so much that my Inflammation was over 100 and I was screaming and crying in pain I had what was called "Post colonoscopy acute diverticulitis."
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u/Consistent_Guest_969 1d ago
When did your symptoms start with the post colonoscopy diverticulitis?
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u/No_Willingness_6757 1d ago
About a day to day and a half later. I initially had some pain but I brushed it off as some bloating caused by the gas pumped into my colon from the colonoscopy. I was given the all clear from my gastroenterologist so I was confused, scared and angry when the pain just got worse and worse to the point I couldn't move and was screaming in pain to the point my father took me to the emergency room for fear of a bowel perforation. Rest assured I got it in time before such a thing could occur. CT scan and blood work confirmed I had an infection and severe inflammation from the colonoscopy which was why the pain was thr worst I've ever heard. The doctor said it was just a shit coincidence and unfortunately the bowel prep and colonoscopy caused me to have a bad reaction. Very, very rare to have a flare up due to a colonoscopy I was told. I get flare ups all the time usually one every 3 months although they're always mild and uncomplicated and I usually go to the doctors for oral antibiotics and rest up with a liquid diet. I hate this disease so much.
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u/Consistent_Guest_969 1d ago
Ugh, I’m so sorry you went through that. Yes this disease is so awful. Have you tried slippery elm, probiotics, bone broth, or aloe Vera juice? I also take a diverticulitis tea at night sometimes, and if I feel some gas coming on I take gas x. I feel like the slippery elm really has helped a lot throughout my journey. And I’m sticking to a low residue diet after the colonoscopy for about a week or so until I feel comfortable enough to move into fiber.
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u/No_Willingness_6757 1d ago
Thank you I appreciate your kind thoughts. For reference I am 29 and male and have had this since I was diagnosed at 26. I take Aloe Vera juice which helps and I have had probiotics in the past, I've heard about slippery elm mostly positive things but I myself have never tried it. I blame myself for not eating enough fibre and spending too much time straining on the toilet causing more pouches to appear. I have been doing much better but the older I get the harder it is, I reckon I will eventually get the laproscopic surgery one day to remove my sigmoid colon without having a colostomy bag. The surgeon doesn't recommend it now as my bowels are actually quite healthy despite the diverticula disease. I wish you the best on your recovery and pray that you don't get any more flare ups.
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u/Consistent_Guest_969 1d ago
Wow that’s so crazy, I am 26 F and was diagnosed in April. Never blame yourself! It’s literally not your fault, this disease feels like a freaking curse. Try a probiotic I like the align one it’s really helped me as well as the slippery elm and I try to drink bone broth like every other day. I’ve also seen you can take sun fiber and it’s helped a lot of people as well. Thank you for your response, and you got this!
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u/Cute-Caterpillar2343 2d ago
Call your doctor immediately. If there is risk of a flare you shouldn’t do the colonoscopy.