Why Diverticulitis Can Cause Aggravating Low Back Pain

diverticulitis low back pain

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brian Paris, D.C on Nov. 6, 2018.

Diverticulitis is a serious condition that can cause irritating pelvic and lower back pain.

To understand why diverticulitis can cause pelvic and low back pain, you have to know what diverticulitis actually is — and how it’s different from diverticulosis.

Diverticulosis is when the colon bulges out into “pouches” along weak spots in the colon wall, usually in the sigmoid colon that runs along the left side of the abdomen.

(RELATED: Why your abdomen is hurting from lower back pain)

These balloon-like pouches are called diverticula.

Many people have diverticulosis without knowing they have it. It’s estimated that half of people in the U.S. over the age of 60 and most over 80 have had some form of diverticula [i].

When the diverticula become infected or inflamed, the condition is escalated to diverticulitis.

When it advances to full-blown diverticulosis, serious complications can arise.

diverticulitis

5 complications of diverticulitis

  • Abscesses — when pus collects in the “pouches”
  • Perforations — tiny tears in the bowel walls that may eventually grow larger and allow bowel contents to leak into the abdominal cavity
  • Intestinal blockages from scarring — this prevents waste from passing through the intestines; a full blockage is a medical emergency that requires surgery. (This is much more serious than typical constipation, which can also cause back pain.)
  • Fistula — an abnormal pathway between two organs. In diverticulitis, a fistula typically connects the colon with either the bladder, the small intestine, or the vagina.
  • Peritonitis — inflammation and infection of the abdominal cavity caused by perforations in the bowel walls; this is a medical emergency that requires surgery. Peritonitis presents with serious stomach pain that shouldn’t be ignored.

Symptoms of Diverticulitis

Diverticulosis often doesn’t show any symptoms.

But when it progresses to diverticulitis, it can result in severe abdominal pain and tenderness, nausea, vomiting, change in bowel habits or cramping.

It can also result in back pain.

Since there are so many possible causes of lower back pain, it’s easy for a physician to overlook diverticulitis as a potential culprit.

Sometimes the pain can even spread to the scrotum, buttocks, hips, thighs, legs, and even shoulder and neck. Obviously, this complicates diagnosis even further.

Cases where diverticulitis causes back pain are more common among women and the elderly, or people whose immune systems are compromised.

When diverticulitis progresses to the point of back pain, it’s usually much more dangerous and harder to treat.

Unfortunately, that sort of back pain can also arise from things like kidney stones or gallbladder problems, among many other things that aren’t related to the muscle strains and imbalances or orthopedic problems that usually cause back pain.

It can make for a scenario where the pain is extremely difficult to accurately diagnose and treat.

Common treatment options

Your physician will probably start by ruling out the obvious (strenuous activity or the wrong mattress), then work their way to the less obvious.

The good news (if you can call it good news) is that diverticulitis will most likely present other symptoms other than just back pain (i.e. nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, irritable bowel and others we discussed earlier).

And remember that before it advances to diverticulitis, diverticulosis often goes for years without showing any symptoms whatsoever.

It’s an unusual case of diverticulitis (or diverticulosis) that only causes back pain without any other problems.

If your back pain is coupled with other symptoms that would point toward diverticulitis, consider getting a reference for a gastroenterologist from your MD.

The gastroenterologist will probably want to do a colonoscopy and run additional tests to narrow down the causes and try to discover any problems with diverticulitis, diverticulosis or other bowel disorders.

Other treatment options

Diet plays a crucial role in the management of diverticular disease. After an acute attack, it’s usually recommended that you stick to clear liquids for a few days, then slowly add low-fiber foods to your diet.

One other important thing you can do is take a proteolytic enzyme supplement.

Proteolytic enzymes aid in digestion and reduce inflammation in the colon. You can learn more about them here.

Final thoughts

Diverticulitis can be a serious condition that requires immediate treatment.

If you’ve experienced these symptoms and complications for an extended period of time, seek a diagnosis from a qualified medical professional.

Aside from your doctor’s suggested treatment options, you can improve the health of your digestive system by cleaning up your diet, and adding in supplements like psyilium husk, which has numerous health benefits, as well as proteolytic enzymes, which reduce inflammation throughout your body.

 

Editor’s note: This article has been reviewed by a member of our medical advisory board. The content provided is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Please consult with your physician if you have any questions about your health.

Filed Under: Back Pain
Written By:  Updated:
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Jesse Cannone, CFT, CPRS, MFT

Jesse is the co-founder and visionary CEO of The Healthy Back Institute®, the world-leading source of natural back pain solutions. His mission as a former back pain sufferer is to help others live pain free without surgery and pharmaceuticals.

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66 thoughts on “Why Diverticulitis Can Cause Aggravating Low Back Pain”

  1. Ivy Jones says:

    I was diagnosed with diverticulitis 3 weeks ago. The pain in my abdomen became unbearable, so I went to the ER. I had been having lower back pain for about 3 weeks prior to the ER visit. It is not a muscular back pain, it is a deep ache like the back pain you experiance when you have the flu. I have been on two rounds of antibiotics and still feel horrible. The pain in my back is, at times unbearable. Is there anything I could do that would lessen this pain?

    1. Jane says:

      I recently had the same thing, in fact I’m still healing. I think I was sick for 6 – 8 weeks. I started drinking green tea and water in the morning. Then, I started eating oatmeal, cinnamon, and peanut butter mixed up together and nothing else. I feel so much better, but still a little sore in my back, side, abdomen, and one hip. Of course, I have an appointment with my doctor coming up and I will discuss this with her. I went to ER, and no help there; they said it was muscular. Anyway, I am going to mention that I think it is the diverticulitis acting up again, only worse this time. I bet that’s what it is.

    2. D L Beer says:

      You described the back pain very well! It is a deep crushing ache that is unbearable at times! Just got out of a weeks stay in the hospital with no food or water for six of those days, not even ice chips! I was about to chew my own arm off! LOL! Don’t want to keep taking ibuprofen but I can’t stand the pain.

      1. Jan B says:

        Hi, I would try and stop the Ibruprofen as it irritates the stomach. Paracetamol is better or Co-Dydramol which is stronger but you’ll need a prescription for it.
        It helps tremendously with the back pain but the down side is it causes constipation so you may need some fybogel to counteract it.
        Hope you’re on the mend.

        1. Helen McMillan says:

          Helen says,
          I’ve had acute diverticulitis for about 10 years so I thought I was an expert on it but it catches me unawares all the time.
          After numerous hospital stays with large abscesses…antibiotic drips..water diet only,weight loss etc..etc..it never seems to go away for very long..
          The back & leg pain,lethargy all go hand in hand with it.
          Please don’t take any anti inflammatory drugs…they are the worst thing you can take for diverticulitis…they will make it much worse.
          I find that the most important thing that has helped me so much is taking two teaspoonfuls of Metamucil every night before I go to bed..
          It works wonders..
          I also take one 3000mg Tumeric Capsule with 1000mg low acid vitamin C every day..
          The Tumeric is a wonderful natural anti inflammatory & works wonders for your gut.
          There are so many more things I would like to comment on but for now I think one of the most important things is to drink heaps of water.
          Mintec Capsules work well as soon as you feel the pain start..plus a Colofac tablet.
          Also peppermint tea will calm your tummy as well.
          Heat pack on tummy & back.
          Hope this helps..

          1. Gael Daisley says:

            that is so helpful

    3. Delores Wright says:

      I have back pain also thought I was crazy, this has helped me so much just to know I’m not crazy. My back pain is almost like a spasm at times, I’ve noticed that when my back is hurting the abdominal pain is gone like it moves from front to back I have been sick for about 2 months just discover that it is diverticulitis I had awful back pain in the beginning, no clue Doctors couldn’t find what it was until the pain moved to my stomach.

    4. Debra Renfro says:

      My husband had that problem and he was about to rupture. GI doc got him into surgery where they connected the descending colon to the rectum and it did rupture right when they started surgery. Now he is much better!

    5. Donna says:

      Could you have that Diff C diesease ? You should look into it . It sounds similar. No harm asking about it one way or the other .

    6. Simon Blunden says:

      I have been diagnosed with Diverticulitis after 3 major GI bleed episodes (no other obvious DD symptoms). The common theme with each episode however was chronic pain in my lower back for 1-2 months before a bleed – exactly like a deep ache that Ivy explains.

      What was I traditionally doing? Taking NSAIDs to treat my back pain! Upon reflection, this is the WORST thing someone with diverticulitis can do, and in my opinion is what escalated the situation to a GI bleed.

      Assuming I have future episodes of chronic lower back pain, I need to now treat this as a symptom of a Diverticulitis flare up and tackle it that way (antibiotics if infected and/or modify my diet to ease the strain on the colon) rather than take medication to treat the chronic back pain.

      In all cases, immediately after a GI bleed episode has occurred, my lower back pain also disappears!

  2. Steve says:

    Ivy, last year I was diagnosed with diverticulosis, and the first thing I did was change my diet, fiber supplement EVERYDAY and Probiotics EVERYDAY, I have not had a bout of pain since then…

    No diverticulosis is far different then diverticulitis and you need to get with proper medical professionals ASAP and take the most appropriate action needed to control you situation…

    Steve

  3. Devin says:

    What a living hell when the first bout of diverticulitis occurred! Having never experienced this before I did what people suggested and changed my food intake to bland, roughage meals whioch, as it turned out, was the wrong thing to do. Now being aware of balancing roughage intake and watching intake of foods that contain seeda I am able to avoid the more serious diverticulitis. What is extremely helpful is my inversion table! Given the collection in “pouches” of food particulate is to be avoided, regular session in the inverted position appears to counteract any of the beginning tell tale signs of on coming diverticulitis attack of gas, bloating and some abdominal discomfort! What an additional benefit this has been beyond the relief to my tight back and body!!!

  4. Martin says:

    I was diagnosed with diverticulitis in 1997 after an acute attack which was thought to be appendicitis, on surgery for that they found instead that I had diverticulitis one of which had perforated and caused peritonitis, it was a close call, they repaired the damage and put me on antibiotics for what seemed like a couple of months till I was well again, since then I have had three further acute attacks. Over the same period of time I have had severe back pain which was put down to a number of different causes none of them though seemed to be correct and so I put up with the pain. Late last year I had my fourth attack and the specialist then decided that it was appropriate to have the affected part of my large bowel removed, this was done a month ago, since then there has been absolutely no back pain which leads me to believe that the back pain was indeed somehow related to the diverticulitis. I now live in hope that this is correct and my back stays pain free. Has anyone had a similar experience?. Thanks

    1. Lubaabah says:

      Martin
      I’ve been diagnosed recently with diverticulitis and now under antibiotics and a diet. Indeed I’ve been suffering from lower back pain and the physicien took that fact in account. We’ll see after the treatment if the lower back pain persists or not, as well the somehow unbearable pain in the buttocks without any apearend reason!
      Sorry for my English, but it is Not my mothertongue and neither am I living in an English speaking country. Thanks for your understanding.

      1. Carol Spear says:

        I too have the same terrible aching pain in my upper left buttock!! It’s the same side as my lower stomach-(Colon ) pain!!! Just horrible what it does to your body and spirit! Has surgery helped anyone here get complete relief???

    2. Stephen Safka says:

      I have been experuencing thrse symptoms for over a year and aftervtests it was found tgat my gall bladder had small stones Had surgery to remove the gall bladder things seemed to imptove for a littke while then the back psin started afain Akways,after my right side lower colon seemed to be in trouble The psin migrates ariund my right lower trunk then stoos st the low back I am a very pfysically active jvac conyractor st 77 uears old but lately thus hss dlowed me DOWN badly

    3. Alicia says:

      Yes I did I haven’t been diagnosed but after reading these I’m 100% positive its this after losing a ton of weight n vomiting n all I went to hospital they thought appendicitis but they couldn’t find my appendix so now my fear is my bowel is inflamed n making it not b able to c the appendix I’ve also get rapid heart rate sweats etc

  5. Ken Ring says:

    I’m a 65 year old guy and I’ve been suffering from IBS and diverticulitis for years. I discovered I had it from a colonoscopy that I had performed in 2004. My dad had this condition and I guess I inherited it from him. Back pain on the left side and butt is a common thing. Also abdominal bloating discomfort and pain. It really sucks! I’ve been on several steroids and antibiotics but nothing seem to work. I then discovered through a good friend suffering with the same thing to try a probiotic (good bacteria) supplement. I’m on a product called ALIGN and things seem to be calming down with the pain and abdominal pressure. So far so good. Talk to your doctors about this.

  6. Janet says:

    Yes my pain also goes through my left hip leg and around the front as well as lower back

  7. Jen says:

    Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this site. I thought I was the only one who suffers from severe back pain with my diverticular disease. It has been really bad for at least seven weeks despite antibiotics. Diet and rest seem to be the only cure. I did have previous bouts that responded to oral Aloe Vera but not this time. Another trip to the doctors it seems!

  8. Freddie says:

    I too was diagnosed with Diverticulitis, and have Kidney, back pain. I thought it was more of a infection things so I started googling it and came to this site. Im glad im not theonly one. This is very painfull

  9. Barbara Howard says:

    I have been suffering from low back pain mostly right side for years. No real reason was found for pain of this intensity. I began having stomach pain of an on for about a year. Still having intense back pain that was worse when lying down. Finally, about a year ago I developed severe stomach pain and ended up being diagnosed with diverticulitis. While I was in the hospital being given intravenous antibiotics for the diverticulitis my back pain miraculously went away. It quickly came back once I was finished with full round of antibiotics. I have now had two other episodes with diverticulitis and antibiotics and the back pain and accompanying lower body stiffness has gone away every time, to only return when antibiotics are completed.

    1. Eunice says:

      I too suffer with diverticulitis and tummy cramps and runs, and had it also after being on antibiotics not good.it can lead to cystitis bladder infections because of bacteria.
      Hot water bottle helps at the time and drinking warm water.
      Diet is important no greasy foods or limit it, sweet stuff, to much coffee or tea. I take more herbal teas now.
      I use a good Probiotics 14 from Good Health Naturally health practice , England
      Two between meals in morning and two at night before bed.
      Can change to just two in morning.
      Are other things that help but everyone has to see whats best for them.
      Stress can trigger it also. Try to keep calm in stressful times.
      Hope this helps. Prayer is very helpful.

    2. Shirley says:

      I can relate to many of the comments on here. My pain is right side lower back and it took many, many months of hospital visits to be told that it wasn’t appendicitis! I went privately and had a colonoscopy and it was discovered that I had diverticulitis. During a flair up, the pain is so intense but usually settles with antibiotics. Unfortunately, this recent episode is particularly bad. The antibiotics cleared the infection initially, but the pain is excruciating and I am so tired with lack of sleep. Because the doctors are so busy here, I have to wait for another two weeks for an appointment. My instincts tells me that I again have an infection but nothing I do or take eases the pain. As I am in my 80s, I don’t think that they would be keen to do surgery but many of the prescribed medications have not helped.

  10. Jeanne says:

    I have had about five bouts of Diverticulitis flair ups in the last four years. I am a 55 year old female, didn’t even know I had this until my first bout. About one one ago, I had another flair up, took one round of antibiotics and still have excruciating back pain on me left side, but no abdominal pain like other flair ups. Is this normal? This bout has made me feel like I have been hit by a semi & feel like I am 90! Have been to ER twice this past month, I tell them what is going on, but they do blood work ups & CT scans and no doctors seem to want to help me? What can I do, I feel like they are taking advantage of my health ins. Provider & most of it is not covered. Now besides the pain and feeling crappy, I have overwhelming medical bills & anxiety! Any suggestions are welcome! Jeanne

    1. Maureen Smith says:

      Same here they’re doing the same thing to me did you ever get any thing resolved did you ever get any treatment how are you doing now
      I’m again contemplating going back to the ER because I have inflammation so bad and it it’s just sucking up my life

    2. Linda says:

      Would love to know your outcome. I know it’s been a while but I am going through this currently. I was thinking the antibiotics were causing the severe back pains. I’m 60yrs old. Don’t have insurance.

  11. Breda Carroll says:

    Hello my friends , I to have very severe back pain for years some of that time my hips and bottom hurt as well but as I arthritis it was tought to be from it not the bowel now it all makes sense ,it’s still quite bad maby they will take the affected part away in July please God ,ad I have just been dignoised with sarcoidosis of lungs as well be nice to be pain free .Thanks for sharing your stories friends breda.

  12. Jeankelly says:

    I am 67yrs was diagnosed but 3yrs ago, in last week my back killing me, wen I cough, turning in my bed even walking it aches all time..what can I do??

  13. Admin says:

    Hi Jeankelly, If you do not already have it, we suggest you get a copy of our back pain book -The 7 Day Back Pain Cure. It has lots of information to understand back pain and pain relief methods for you to try. It will give information and education about the back and treatment options you can consider. Please read more about the book and its contents via the link below

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  14. Nanette says:

    I haven’t been diagnosed yet but I have a terrible feeling that this is what I have. The pain in my lower left quadrant is brutal and the lower left back pain is just as severe. Ended up in hospital last week. I am in process of having tests done. So we shall see. Good to find this site and to read all the comments. I don’t feel so alone. Trying to take some of the advice for diet and a good probiotic. Just feeling overwhelmed, and not sure where to start. Thanks for listening.

  15. Catherine O'Neill says:

    I am a 65 yr old woman and have diverticula disease. This started a few years ago after being rushed by ambulance to A&E with severe abdominal pain. My gall bladder was removed about 17yrs ago. In A and E I was examined by what I would consider a young inexperienced Dr. . She put a morphine drip on me, then Paracetamol drip and sent me home !!!i. I thought I was going to die. 3wks later I was sent as an emergency again. The damage was done. They had to remove part of my bowel and appendix because of a burst Abscess ??? Now I have flare ups of diverticulitis , severe lower back pain and shoulder and left sided pain. I never knew my back and shoulder pain was associated with my bowel. Sorry to be on so long, but thanks a million for your advice.

  16. Jessica says:

    Hi I’m a 25 year old female diagnosed with diverticulitis 4 months ago. I have had an attack every month since then. Ever since my attack in May I am bloated, in pain, a neasous ALL of the time! Nothing seems to help. I was put on light duty at work (I work in a factory) but even walking makes my pain worse! I feel like my family doctor really isn’t trying to help me. I go for a colonoscopy in September but idk if I can handle this pain much longer. I have had to miss soo much work and honestly don’t even know if I can continue working where I do because the pain gets soo bad. Also, since my attack in April I have only had 1 period… has this happened to anyone else? I was very normal before This! Thanks!

  17. Fiber Fiber Fiber…

    I have it and Fiber was the answer for me, have not had an issue for almost a decade.

    Even if it’s just Metamucil…

    Stay off the Opioids as that will constipate you and make everything worse…

    Steve

    1. Sherri says:

      Exactly
      FIBER & HYDRATE

  18. Cathy. Harnisch says:

    I also have diverticulosis with back pain. I appreciate the comments from people with this horrible disease. I am suffering from back pain with it now.

  19. Cathy, for everyone reading this start early and continue Fiber Fiber Fiber, it helps in so many ways…

    Steve

    1. Sheila Donnan says:

      I’m a 66 year old female and I suffer with diverticulitis every since I had low back surgery 1 year ago. I had complications from an opioid constipation/ blockage from the surgery and treated with IV antibiotics. The back pain is extremely bad and always worse at night. I have an nutritionist and have a good diet filled with fiber. But back pain is the killer and on my left side I have a little pouch on my stomach unlike the right. Which concerns me.
      I have appointments with my back surgeon and Gastrointestinal doctor but it doesn’t help the pain. This is far worse than my low back pain I needed surgery for. ☹️

      1. Delina Mccallson says:

        I am experiencing the same with the back pain and the pouch on.my k eft side, can’t close my jeans I fit in just a few days ago. Git me on antibiotics but seems worse this time.

    2. Kim says:

      Hi steve,,,,,what sort of fibre helped. Im a vegetarian and have been told dont eat root vegetables.

  20. debbie says:

    Hi
    I have had 3 bouts of diverticulitis since being diagnosed following colonoscopy. Each much worse than the other and needed 2 courses of antibiotics last time. I falt dreadful for almost a month. I have found changing diet does help – fibre, fibre supplement, avoiding white bread, pasta, rice; eat the brown… you do get used to it. I also started to have Keffir which is a probiotic that stays active as it passes through the gut. You must however remember FLUIDS and gentle exercise. Lots of water to keep hydrated and avoid constipation. Walking or swimming is the best thing of you are not a gym fan.
    I still get abdo pain, back pain, bloating but these things definately reduce the symptoms.
    Hope this helps….

  21. I understand, I too have diverticulitis, here are my comments…

    1. Here are some additional way to address your back pain, suggesting a free book…
    https://secure.losethebackpain.com/products/7-day-backpain-book/4/sp-free-7-day-back-pain-cure-book

    2. Please know while probiotics are good they can firm up the stool, so be careful in that regard.

    Thanks

    Steve HBI-Staff

  22. Catherine David says:

    Hi everyone, just another sufferer looking for advice. I’ve just come out of hospital after suffering my fourth attack of the dreaded disease. Having done all the scans , x-rays etc…. it was confirmed that I have acute diverticulitis and put on intravenous antibiotics and then tablets. I’ve had this bout for five weeks now and am in incredible pain. My doctor says to walk a bit more but how can when doubled up in pain. I’m afraid to eat in case I vomit and am losing weight. Doctor just says high fibre! I’ve been eating high fibre for months!
    Any ideas from you fellow sufferers will be most welcome. I’m a 66 year old woman who was looking forward to retirement but I can’t see a happy future now that life has dealt me yet another blow.
    Well now I’ve probably moaned enough, perhaps you guys can help me.
    Many thanks
    Catherine

    1. Janine says:

      Janine…you can eat to much fibre and cause problems, somehow you have to find a happy medium with fibre, I can’t eat whole meal bread..have to have white, I try to have fibre through vegetables, so just be careful you don’t have to much fibre as it can work against you as well

      1. Linda N says:

        Hi Janine, I am confused about the fiber I am confused about the fiber. I had a Diverticulitis flare up six years ago in April 27 this year I had another Did the anabiotics via IV also a 10 day antibiotic. Did a 3 day liquid diet then soft gentle foods; then 7 weeks into recovery I end up in ER with another diverticulitis flare up. Did the 3rd CT scan in 2 months. ER did IV antibiotic, sent me home with a 10 day prescription of antibiotics. I am still on day 2 of my 3 day liquid diet and very afraid to even eat when I introduce bland foods back on day 4 or 5, since I was still in recovery from my last flare up 7 weeks ago.
        I don’t know what or how to eat once I get past this because I don’t know what’s triggering it in the first place.
        I feel the doctors all same the same thing.
        I am a healthy person. Just turned 60 in March. I have been a good healthy eater since my early 20’s. I even was taking a scoop of fiber wise pr day. The brand tells you to take 3 scoops pr dy. I eat fruits and veggies, don’t eat much meat. Rearly eat fast food. No soda, no juices, lots of water. Trying to slow down and really chew my food. 1 cup coffee in morning. I do enjoy about 8 ounces of wine 2 to 3 nights a week.
        I don’t take drugs or smoke anything, only medication I take is Xanax maybe 3 to 4 times pr week. I have a very stressful customer service job. Need to learn how to control my work stress. It’s very fast paced and I move around a lot, hardly ever sit. I like those 2 things about my job. I am an active person. Not over weight. I exercise every other day. Been online searching for a miracle, gets confusing, one says this triggers and another says something else. Should eat this shouldn’t eat that.
        Anyway, I just don’t know how or what to eat to prevent this from happening again. Soooo confused and scared.
        Finding this site I see many people go through this same scary experience.

        1. Marie says:

          Hello I hope this helps you and many others. I never was one for fiber foods and in my early sixties I started to add fiber with salads and bran cereal. It is then I became constipated and it took three years of this what I thought was healthful eating that I got external hemorrhoids. I kept eating the fiber rich foods and in December 2017 I got a diverticular hemorrhage. I was cleared after a colonoscopy and was told I had no infection but I have diverticulosis. I came home from the hospital and started back on nearly a zero fiber diet and the constipation completely stopped. Three months prior to my hemorrhage I was taking regular strength aspirin every day for headaches that I believe was from my constipation. Sorry this is so long. I am a sixty five year old female and am approx 124 pounds at five feet five. I don’t smoke or drink alcohol and am not on any precribtion drugs. I also stopped the aspirin. I still get twinges in my lower groin and sometimes severe back pain. The constipation is gone but the damage from the high fiber diet is done. If I over eat I get a flare of pain. I am reading a book called the Fiber Menace and I see so many things that make sense. This is what happened to me. I am so sorry this is so long. I just wanted to share how I got constipated after starting a high fiber diet resulting in diverticulosis. One more thing I find it is important to drink enough water and juice to keep the food from getting stuck in the diverticular pockets. I hope this can help you.

          1. Janine says:

            Marie, I am glad you found out about the fibre, but a little to late to prevent the damage, I don’t eat cereals, nuts etc, but it now appears I eat to many vegetables…it is really hard to reach a happy medium

        2. Janine says:

          Linda it is confusing, I think each individual just has to experiment to try to find what works best for them..I had mad vegetable soup with twelve different vegetables in it, I had a few serves over a couple of days and had also had some corn and then a bad attack, I think it was the soup and corn ..I have only been eating potatoe chicken and white bread, but some say white bread isn’t good, but I find I can get away with small quantities of these three things, they may make some people worse, you just have to experiment..I hope you find relief soon

    2. Margaret Gaskell says:

      Hi Catherine do not give up but I know how you feel and you are still very active and young…there are some very interesting messages here to read I found helpful and inspiring so read them as I have ..I am a suffer for many years and have a fistula also ….I am 83 and see my specialist to keep up to speed with my problem he is very helpful and an understanding man in the field ..I eat sensibly take antibiotics which are very good when I need and expensive but work well……I exercise & rest when I have too . .Good Luck …Margaret

    3. Janine says:

      I have found to many vegetables and fibre make me worse…very difficult to get the right balance, in researching this I have noted that there is a lot of information saying eat more fibre but I have also found some saying not to eat a lot of fibre…nuts, seeds and corn can also be a problem

  23. Barry says:

    I had a colon resection2 years ago after going to the Dr about left side pain and was sent for a colonoscopy which showed a muconic cyst so they took away half my colon from the appendix end. Now I have just been diagnosed with NSIP Fibrosis and at the moment I have also got clots in the lung.Steroid treatment has I think now given me a flare up of diverticulitis which I have in what’s left of my colon. I have pain in the back and lower left hand side abdomen and Diahorea. Think I need a visit to A&E don’t you?…….

  24. Kathleen says:

    Hi everyone I am 41 & have been suffering from severe low back pain on the left side, along with pain on my side & lower abdomen for several years. I had been bounced around from doctor to doctor including a chiropractor, physical therapist, pain management & many others. I have tried many different medications along the way which did not help, a few mths ago my doctor told me I have diverticulosis, do you guys think the cause of my low back pain could be from the diverticulosis?, the MRI’s that I had for my back are normal

    1. Marie says:

      Hello Kathleen, My only symptom of diverticulosis is lower left back pain which radiates to my hip. I was diagnosed after a CT scan with contrast dye but the diverticulosis showed when I had a colonoscopy. Hope this helps…

  25. Kathleen, there is no way for us to know the cause of your back pain, but I can tell you, I have diverticulosis and it bad when its bad but for the most part I control it with diet and fiber supplements. Do I have back pain, No.

    Does my whole body hurt when I have a flair up Yes…

    So we suggest that you seek proper medical attention but go there with the understanding that. you have to push them, to get to the root cause and push them to make sure that any treatment you get also addresses the root cause…

    If you are interested in getting to the root cause of your back issue, just maybe this book can help you…
    https://secure.losethebackpain.com/products/7-day-backpain-book/4/sp-free-7-day-back-pain-cure-book

  26. Bruce R says:

    I am a 59 year old male. I’ve been having episodes for the last 5 months. Starts off with a bloated feeling, then pain in the lower left abdomen (which becomes excruciating) always in the same spot. I also develop backache in the lower left side, and pain in the left scrotum. The left testicle becomes very sensitive. I also become constipated.
    I have to take strong painkillers, prescribed by the doctor to cope with the initial pain. CT scan and blood tests have all come back negative.
    Foods that appear to be triggers include; fatty foods, chocolate and wheat products?
    I get some relief from taking a hot bath, or a hot water bottle. I don’t eat any solids for 2/3 days then start slowly on low fibre foods, I find cornflakes ok (I normally have porridge for breakfast) cheese, mash potatoes, carrots, chicken, all ok in the first few days of eating solids.
    Trial and error with diet and lifestyle seems to be the only way forward, the medics don’t seem to be too interested!
    Good luck

    1. Janine says:

      Bruce, I too find cheese, chicken and potatoe o.k as well as white bread

  27. Sara G says:

    I’m thinking my diverticulosis/itis is causing issues with my sciatic nerve. When I don’t drink enough liquids I have problems. This is the first time sciatic has bothered me. Before it was just gut/back pain. I’ve found that stopping meat and most solid foods for a day or two really clears up the diverticulitis fast. I can usually avoid it with lots of veggies & fruits, liquids and live yogurt every day.

    1. Margaret Gaskell says:

      Hello Sarah I found your write up most interesting. I to have both problems though I am 83 it is just the same problem …back ache is unbearable most of the time I do some excises as I have always done but it does nor work all the time for me,it is grin and bear it and pain relief at times . I to watch the diet very carefully omitting meat but just a little on occasions,it is being very sensible i love fruit also nature yogurt live cultures as advised by my specialist every day. I send my good wishes to you and all sufferers it is not nice at all….Sciatica a nightmare …Margaret .

  28. tracie hall says:

    Hi im 49 have been duagnosed with diverticuliis had several flare ups.changing diets and plenty of exercuse having lower back pain with burning sebsation and on my tummy also is this bormal

    1. Janine says:

      Tracie, in this latest bout,it subsided a bit but I felt hot in the stomach,I wondered if it might be inflammation but don’t know, it went after a day or so but have other symptoms…maybe you should see a doctor and ask..I am seeing one today

  29. Branko Rakic says:

    If you’re experiencing ab discomfort, there’s a great chance that you
    require to see a doctor in order to obtain yourself straightened out.
    Abdominal pain could be an indicator of any number of maladies, from the
    benign (overeating) to the malignant (stomach cancer). The key in
    determining what’s causing your abdominal discomfort is to note its
    frequency, its location, its severity, and any specifics you can note
    about it.

    Scientifically speaking, the abdomen is the area from your pelvic bone
    to the bottom from the ribs. This includes your stomach, bowels, liver,
    gall bladder, and several other internal organs. Because of the vast
    array of vital organs located in your abdomen, it is important to note
    the exact location of the ab pain.

    Your kidneys and lungs aren’t in the abdomen, and for women, note that
    your ovaries are not actually considered to become part of the abdomen
    either. Yet all of these organs can cause pain that feels like it is
    located within the abdomen, and that type of ab pain is something to
    become aware of as well.

    Some from the most common ailments of ab discomfort are inflammatory
    illnesses such as appendicitis, diverticulitis and colitis. Each of
    these diseases stretches or distends the affected organ. Others ailments
    that bring about ab pain, such as gallstones, cause a blockage, which
    results in painful symptoms.

    That being said, inflammation, swelling and blood loss aren’t the only
    real things about of abdominal discomfort. Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or
    IBS, is a chronic trigger of ab discomfort for numerous people, yet it
    is without a clear cause or path of treatment. Some doctors have
    postulated that muscle spasms are really the cause of irritable bowel
    syndrome, while others have suggested nerve hyper-sensitivity is to
    blame. Either way, no definitive proof has been found one way or the
    other, yet the medical industry believes that IBS is a real, substantial
    condition that effects an incredible number of Americans yearly.
    For some thing like IBS, or, obviously, constipation, you are able to
    discover temporary relief via a bowel movement. If, on the other hand,
    you have an obstruction from the small intestine, vomiting can bring
    temporary relief. This may be the kind of info that a doctor can use to
    triangulate and ultimately diagnose the cause of your abdominal pain.

  30. Carrie Z Jarrett says:

    Hi. My name is Zillita. I have read all the information or replies from different. I have been diagnosed with diverticulitis last year Inhave been through all the symptoms except my back pain came from a loose vertebrae and had surgery in 2005 and the rods are holding it in place. I have had the constipation everything. I have been on the antibiotics twice just got off of the two weeks ago but I will have a colonoscopy next month. The doctor says when he does the scope and if it has not gotten better I will probably have to have the surgery which I don’t want. I am 72 years old just don’t want anymore surgery’s The purpose for me getting the Heal-n- Soothe was to help clear the inflammation from my body will I still be able to take it ? this is what I want to know also my doctor says that I can eat whatever I want and whatever disagrees with me don’t eat it. I could go on and on with this and appreciate everyone’s comment
    other than going through I feel good but want to feel better

  31. Esme brown says:

    Very helpful to read peoples experiences could anybody tell me how long it can take to clear up after a bad attack and a course of antibiotics thankyou.

  32. Cindy says:

    I have been diagnosed with Diverticulosis for about 10 years with no problems. This past week I had severe stomach pain and after 4 days of it, it had gotten so bad I could barely walk. Went to ER and I was diagnosed with diverticulitis. A drip of antibiotics and pain meds and was sent home with antibiotics and told to rest and put on a bland diet. It now is 4 days after and finally feeling less pain. I find myself very weak and have no energy. I have pain in thighs and legs. I wonder if I am ever going to get energy to go on our planned trip in 20 days. We are traveling to Australia to go on a cruise. Any suggestions if you think I wont be better to cancel this trip.. I am concerned about going out of the country and having another bout. Any help would be appreciated.

  33. Kathyrine says:

    Hi, I’ve been feeling unwell for past few weeks. Was diagnosed with gastritis in Feb and was really sick and off food. The nausea has eased and am eating a bit better but in last couple of weeks have been suffering severe lower back and leg pain. I was told I had pouches on my colon a few years ago and am wondering if this is a flare up. Seems to be lasting a long time, I did have similar pain a couple of times before which left each time I had a colonoscopy but it was never as severe as now. I think what’s worrying me most is everyone else with diverticulitis talks about left side abdominal pain which I only get twinges of. My back pain is so low it feels at times like its rectal, find it hard to walk as it’s there all day every day.

    1. Steve says:

      Kathyrine, please get a proper diagnosis so you can treat the condition properly.

      Steve

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