For the last few months I have been suffering from lower abdominal pain and stomach cramps, feel bloated after meals and burping, retching but not vomiting, slightly constipated but no blood in stools, appetite changes from day to day sometimes very hungry and others feel really nauseous and cannot eat. Very thirsty, at night hardly sleep at all and have leg lower cramp, so tired and have a very busy day job, feel drained and it is starting to effect my work/concentration. Today saw consultant gastroenteritis - wants me to have CT Scan, blood tests and Gastroscopy to see if I have Divertulosis - in meantime to only eat light meals - not high fibre ie no bread, cereal etc - said to have boiled veg and fruit, salads etc - i am a vegetarian and eat fish/cheese/granery or wholemeal bread/ wholegrain rice/muesili for breakfast etc - what can I eat - worried will get very constipated as thought I should be eating food with a high fibre content - help - anyone have any suggestions???
Hi. Stay clear of fibres as they can put more strain on your bowels. Did they recommend any laxative? You sound as though you might be a bit constipated. That can cause nausea. And eventually vomiting. Divertcular disease can present with constipation. Diverticulosis is the pockets in your colon. Divertcular disease is the term used when you become symptomatic from these pockets. It can present as diverticulitis, strictures, chronic pain and others. Bottom line, it's causing you problem. It's good you going to have a ct. This will give a good picture of what's going on. Meanwhile steer clear of fibres, especially insoluble. As vegetarians you don't eat meat. This is good as meat is hard to digest as well. The lower leg cramps you talk about may be due to magnesium deficiency. I got it pretty bad with pregnancy. Restless legs. There's a spray you can get in the health shop for this. If may be cramp because of electrolyte imbalances. You might also be a tad dehydrated do keep up with your water intake
Meant to say to, if there is anything wrong in the intestine fatigue and electrolyte imbalances is common. I get very tired from
Hi 'dee',
From your sig I'll assume you are mid-fifties, which is a time when things go soggy for many of us - for sure. My diverticular disease diagnosis was confirmed in my late 40s and management has consisted of eating whatever I want - but having a 'clearout' every two weeks (or so) using one 5 mg Bisacodyl (aka Dulcolax). This regime has kept me well, comfortable and predictable for a number of years since starting this self-determined plan. I do have a probiotic drink (Actimel) every morning with my plain oatmeal porridge with added honey, but other than that, I have no strictures on what else I eat. Curries, pizzas, fish and chips (...Mmm!) don't modulate the pattern. So long as when I miss a day or two of any solid output I have the Bisacodyl, then after a single rather 'loo dependent' day, I'm reset for the next period of accumullation! :-(
It strikes me that there is no prevention from having stuff accumulate in pockets in the gut. All you can do is have a strategy to clear those pockets out before Diverticulitis flares-up. Touch wood (..head!) I have never suffered from diverticulitis.
Assuming the diagnosis was correct in my case, that's my management style!
Cheers,
Pete.