I was diagnosed with diver about 4 years ago but have probably had it much longer now I know what it is. Recently I have read some interesting forum posts suggesting that certain types of exercise appears to be causing flare ups. Strangely, I have been a lifelong exerciser but in phases and most recently, every time I am in an exercise phase it seems I have had an attack within a few weeks. I know this sounds crazy but it really fits in with the pattern. When I am not exercising I am completely well. I am interested to know if anyone else can relate to this? Thanks.
I have never heard of this. I am speculating that we all have different triggers. I rarely exercise due to laziness.
In an ideal world we would find the notion that exercise is bad for us rather counter intuitive! But diverticular disease seems to get a hold on the smooth muscle tracts (eg the colon) and it strikes me that it's like a herniation of the colon walls, by causing them to go soggy and lose their elasticity - becoming plastic and not recovering their original tubular shape again in the short term, perhaps. Therefore, strenuous exercise is probably too much for these compromised tracts? If they have lost elasticity then sudden wrenching is possibly going to cause compression throughout the abdomen. It seems very likely that this won't help the chronic nature of diverticulosis. I must say - that at 56 years - I limit my exercise to fast walking a few times a week (3 to 4 miles each time) and I think that avoids undue compression of the abdoman but still gives all the aerobic benefit of increased pulse rate etc.
I can therefore see that in a compromised gut, something like a rowing machine (for example) could be a very bad idea - because no amount of exercise of the 'abs' will tone-up the muscularity of the 'pipework' within, surely?
Gentle exercise for cardiovascular maintenance is probably the regime that I will maintain from mid-50s onwards. That and weekly Bisacodyl keeps me out of A&E - so far, anyway.
Cheers,
Pete.
Wow what a concise explanation - thanks Pete. I am mid 50s myself but still like to keep in shape and strangely, as you say, the type of exercise I do is more body conditioning including ab crunching etc - I can totally see this now from your explanation. Hmm, time to rewrite my programme me thinks. Thanks again.
I am going to use the excuse now that the reason I don't exercise is because it might cause a flare of DD.
This is an interesting discussion to me because I had the same question, sort of. I went to a chiropractor wondering whether (some of) my abdominal pain is due to my diver or whether it is referred pain due to degeneration in my lower back. Turns out it's muscular, in particular the psoas muscle and some other muscle (ileo something) just above it that attaches to it. I've felt the discomfort start up mid-way through a 2 mile walk and when I bend over to pick something up off the floor. One time I lifted something fairly heavy and had a shooting (and screaming) pain, but it went away right away.
This is making it very difficult to figure out what's what because some discomfort may be wrong food. When the chiro was poking around she found that these muscles are very tight and we are going to work on loosening them up and strengthening my core muscles (whichever ones they are) because I have been using the wrong muscles to support my back. This should be about a six week endeavor at which point, hopefully, the muscle pain will be taken care of and the back well-supported, leaving any other pain to be gas or rot in the diverticuli.
One thing I noticed when I had my first diver pain was the chills; a sign to me that I'm coming down with something. I never had a fever, or bleeding. And since I started watching my diet and taking various natural remedies (probiotics, slippery elm, DGL, Vitamin D) I've just had discomfort on and off, and no chills or fever.
I'm going to see my gut doctor this week and will ask about exercise, particularly crunches, rowing machines, bicycling. What Pete says makes sense to me. Why stress out a system that's in trouble? But, when I told my chiro that I was really concerned about her poking around, she said that the poking was nowhere near as stressful to the gut as a bowel movement. So keep things soft and easy to move.
I'll let you know what the doc says.
Carol P.S. Where's my name at the top of this message? Did I do something wrong?
I have literally just been diagnosed with diverticular disease after 5 years of being treated with Lanzoprasole for acid reflux, anyhow I have been told by my consultant beware of constipation this will cause flare up and no exercise I assume for the same reason and this is really what I wanted to get back to. I have been told to increase my fibre intake gradually and the doctor told me to remember everything above the ground is fibre any under the grown is carbohydrates, so we will see. But i am going to try using my bike (indoor one) and see how I get on.
Hmm that's interesting mrsmo. Exercise is recommended but certainly you have to choose carefully - anything that doesn't strain or bend the gut so I would have thought that walking would be good but I have read reports from walkers who say it has brought on their diver. I am doing a very low impact step class and just conditioning upper body. I am also trying squats and I would have thought that the plank position for abs would be okay too so will give that a go - will let you know how I get on. I have a double whammy as I also suffer from fibromyalgia which rules out certain types of exercise too - I have put on a stone in the last year purely from lack of exercise - very frustrating and upsetting
I can understand the weight frustration I have over the last couple of years put on weight and am more than frustrated by it, so today the bike starts and for the next few days then I will gradually include other exercises being careful with the stretch side of things can only see how it goes
Thanks. I notice that when I do the leg stretch using a stretchy band it feels weird in my gut so I thought I'd ask if anyone else has the problem. The pain then goes on all day and I'm on paracetamol but it is exhausting and a hot water bottle also helps until I e slept..., sometimes a little brandy and soda water helps ease the tension in my gut.
During the last two years you may have figured out your routine. For me,
I find it is easy to overlook the initial symptoms of a flare up. The
Inflammation can take several weeks to bloom into a full blown attack. It's during these times my exercise can definitely push my diverticulosis over the edge. As soon as I realize I am having a flare up, I move to a liquid diet and major resting (no exercise). About a week later, I start walking. A week or two after all symptoms have subsided, I very gradually add to my exercise routine. For me I have found trying to rush back to quickly leads to relapse and more time off. Also, I can't find it in writing, but I'm convinced there is a link between stress, getting proper rest, and hormones cycles and flares. Anything that can knock down your immune system, can leave you susceptible to inflammation system wide and can lead into a flare.
I have always noticed this increased discomfort with weight lifting or vigorous exercise. I’m 73 and want to stay in shape but it is getting worse.
rest and a sedentary lifestyle seems to calm it down…or a half of colasipam, about 0.1 mg..I wonder if walking can be done with out to much irritation.
if it hurts a good nights rest see s to help
Hi Amandrose
yes the same with me start my running and sit ups weights and it starts the flare up
but it does bot state this in ant medical evidence ?
well i have the same question.
this weeknd a flare up occurred and yes ive been about 5 weeks into exercise routine at home.
sure my waist had shrunk during my workout period but now 1 day into liquid diet and antibiotics all i want to do is sleep . my fever has broke .
i hoping that someone else has found a workaround for fitness if regular normal stuff doesnt go well with D
I CANT RUN . due to my back. but walking is fine but im looking to do more in my mid 50’s.
maybe pilates or yoga if I CANT continue with normal regular stuff.
regards
Its funny because I was doing some intense bends while sitting on a chair when I got the dreaded diverticulitis and ended up in the hospital. Never even knew what diverticulosis was until then. I have never done that type of exercise again. I’ve done and do different things, but its mainly swimming and walking. It has always been in the back of my head, to never do that again. I had corn that evening as well. But hell, I had been eating corn since I was probably a year old and never had any issues previously. I was 25 when this all happened.
Ive often thought my flare ups were caused by exercise, i was convinced i had some sort of hernia as well, but maybe it is just the diverticulitis.
when i due leg raises or something similar i feel a pull sensation in the lower left abdomen, then later my guts go crazy finally levelling off to the acute pain we all know.
i was in hospital three weeks ago. yesterday i felt better so i went to gently hit a few golf balls. halfway through i felt a pull/tear sensation, now this morning i have pain developing, rumbling guts etc.
very interesting that others have this as well, quite comforting its not just me!
I have the samething…I was almost a year free of pain..then I went on a diet and started exercising…I’ve done this before also…everytime I get on the treadmill within weeks I get a flareup..
I wasn’t sure either. After I healed from from my first large flare up I started working again. I am an Auto mechanic and I am always up and down in sit up fashion, so, the following day I had a mild flare up. When I exercise or play my drums I get flare ups as well. I was upset with my doctor this week because the flare ups I am having are not making sense. Because of this forum I feel confident that the job and exercise are playing a part. I have already been unsuccessful in attempting a career change, so, I am going to have to figure out how to remain productive in Auto repair.
Thank you, and, I hope this helps.
RolandS52
hey I also am a mechanic and I recently had a flare up still on anti biotic but was feeling better. put a trans in a semi felt good git home and was so tierd. then I wanted to throw up after not able to eat my dinner. woke up in the middle of the night sweatting and nauseated. I belive I over did it. but I love my job. I will also have to find a way to do my job and stay healthy.
so i can relate to your experience i must say. ive been doing hardcore abs exercise from last 6 months. crunches, leg raises, twists everything. and i had slight discomfort in my left side of stomach for only 1-2 days, left side of my intestine, this was 2 months back..but now its gotten worse. now im having some real pressure like feeling in the same place countinuous from 1 week, the symptoms are same as diverticulitis. but im still not sure if this happens coz of abs exercise, coz there was a time when i was doing hardcore workout and it didnt pain, and im having pain now even though i haven’t exercised from past 15 days ie even before the pain started.