Hemorrhoid or diverticulitis?

Posted by azcardsfan @azcardsfan, Sep 9 3:58pm

Hello all! This is my first support group ever, so be gentle... 🙂

I just recently got diagnosed with diverticulitis. From hearing stories from those who have it or know someone who does, I get the impression that my case is on the mild side, but I still don't really know how to manage this yet. I love beer, spicy food, red meat - all the good stuff that's supposed to be "bad". I've also been on an SSRI for almost 25 years, which I read can contribute to diverticulitis issues. I'm also naturally a high-stress person and, unfortunately, work in a very high stress job.

After my doctor visit where I got my diagnosis, I've started using Metamucil gummies with prebiotics; I'm trying to be more conscious of what I eat, particularly trying to choose chicken or fish over red meat when I can; and, I'm cutting back on alcohol consumption.

Any recommendations beyond what I've done to assist so that I don't have to give up these things altogether? I ate several spicy peppers, ate red meat, and drank beer over the weekend (Go Huskers!) and paid for it yesterday, with a slight gut ache and lots of trips to the bathroom.

Also, and I apologize for being graphic, but out of the 5 times I was on the toilet yesterday, 3 of the BMs were pretty bloody. The issue there is that I have had a hemorrhoid problem as well, including a transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization procedure in January of this year. Now each time there's a bit of blood in there I am left wondering if it's due to a hemorrhoid issue or if it's diverticulitis. It did quit by the last one and no problems with that today, so I'd like to think something just irritated a hemorrhoid and caused it to bleed a bit. Anyone have anything on that specifically?

Thanks in advance to everyone for the advice.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

Janell, Volunteer Mentor | @jlharsh | Sep 9 9:30pm

Hi @azcardsfan. Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! I am so glad you decided to put yourself out there and posted here. Finding out you can feel better by changing your eating habits is good news and can also quickly become very overwhelming. You just found a good place for sharing and encouragement!

As you wait for others to comment, and if you haven’t read these yet you may want to see how Mayo Clinic recommends eating for each, diverticulitis and hemorrhoids. I notice they say “Painless bleeding: You might notice small amounts of bright red blood on your toilet tissue or in the toilet.“ As far as diet, I imagine trying to get both conditions under control so you can eat high fiber that helps both will require trial and error.
- diverticulitis diet: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/diverticulitis-diet/art-20048499
- hemorrhoid overview: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hemorrhoids/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20360280

Has your doctor recommended visiting with a dietician?

azcardsfan | @azcardsfan | Sep 10 9:41am

Thanks so much for your reply. No, she did not recommend a dietician, but that is something I may want to check out.

cartwrib | @cartwrib | Sep 10 1:16pm

Diverticulitis is a tricky little issue to manage because to me it is hard to tell what is setting it off. I was hospitalized after third bout and an acute flare up is no fun. I found the dietary aspects difficult to determine as well. I would say with flare up go liquid for a few days, if that helps go low fiber 7-10 days, then slowly every 3 days add a higher fiber food. Raw food like lettuce, carrots I would add last. I also stay away from cabbage, broccoli and other cruciferous type veggies. That advice came from my colorectal surgeon. So far so good. A dietician would be good as every one individual is different. Good luck!

cartwrib | @cartwrib | Sep 10 1:18pm

In reply to @cartwrib "Diverticulitis is a tricky little issue to manage because to me it is hard to tell..." + (show)

Also, I use the weight watch app to track food I am eating. You also get a daily macro and nutrient count as well.

linda82 | @linda82 | Sep 12 8:34am

When you have both of these issues it is hard to deal with. I used to have both, and the hemorrhoids were due to the diverticulitis episodes. It will wear you out with fatigue. It was normal seeing the blood for years and the pain and urgency.
After my surgery I still can't believe I lived with that for so long. Of course, like you I changed my diet stopped almost everything.
I have not had a drink in over 3 years. It is funny when others are drinking or ask me what I want. I say I do not drink they look at me like with that question face. I just laugh and say I just quit it because I was eliminating everything in my diet to see what would help stop the diverticulitis episodes and had no desire now.
I could dink now but I just haven't. Of course, my Dr. said that was good not drinking. But, it should not cause issues from before surgery to have a couple.

I would focus with your GI and colon Dr. when these episodes get more frequent and require med's to get over.
DO not let it go too far due to the permanent damage that it is causing. Thay cannot replace the sigmoid they have to remove it when it is so damaged with all the scar tissue that you do not realize can affect surrounding areas.

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