Once a diverticulum (singular of diverticuli) has formed, it will remain permanently. Sometimes they do get stuffed with faeces (all the fibre has turned to faecal material by the time it reaches the large bowel), but that is usually harmless as well. Occasionally, however, bacterial overgrowth occurs in the diverticulum. Then that can cause bloating and diarrhoea.

Taking fibres is good as it produces bulky soft stools that are easily evacuated on a regular basis… helps to reduce incidences of bacterial overgrowth.

About the symptoms (you should consult your doctor about this): sometimes the diverticuli might not be the cause of the symptoms. Other causes, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) might cause symptoms and the diverticuli are just innocent bystanders. Consult your doctor about this.

Judy, i’m no haematologist, but there are various types of thalassaemia, depending on how many of the haemoglobin genes are abnormal. You sure don’t looks like one with MAJOR thalassaemia (they have a charateristic appearance because of the frequent transfusions). And you said that your Hb level was very low (minor thalassaemia patients usually have just mildly reduced Hb level). So i guess, it might be intermediate thalassaemia.

Anyway, the reason why it’s black is because the waste product of breakdown of haemoglobin is bilirubin pigment which gives bile its characteristic colour. Since thalassaemia causes more rapid turnover (breakdown and production of new red blood cells), there’s more bilirubin being produced than normal and the stones tend to be dark or black in colour.

AGM, colonic diverticuli are out-pouching of the inner lining of the colon. They are usually harmless but can become complicated by diverticulitis (i.e. the diverticuli become inflammed). Usually these are treated by a course of antibiotics.

Peritonitis, on the other hand, is a life-threatening condition as there is inflammation, usually infection, of the abdominal cavity. Patients can quickly become septic and can die if untreated.

Occasionally, the diverticuli might perforate (burst) and form localised abscesses around the colon or might spread all over the abdomen… i.e. peritonitis.

Knowing I have to see one will scare the guts out of me first, I think. I don’t mind delivering another baby to having to undergo an operation…yes, I am that scared!

Kat, you’d better!

just me, well.. it’s not a difficult assessment.. just needs good hands and enough guts. Whoever your surgeon is, if you’re seeing him or her… you have to place your trust there already.

Judy, well.. ohhh, you have thalassaemia. It isn’t that often that surgeons see thalassaemia patients. So, it’s excuseable for him to not know it. Hehe

If your Hb was very low, you must be having intermediate Thalassaemia. That might account for the dark colour of your stone (saw it on your blog before).

jonzz, loads of it.