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Sigmoid Colon Removed for Diverticulitis

Posted , 43 users are following.

Maddi
Maddi

I had elective surgery in March 2011 to remove my sigmoid colon which contained a mass of problematic diverticulae. I was told by medical staff that at the age of 46 it was unusual to see so much! However, because I have always enjoyed a healthy diet, it was agreed that my condition was very likely due to excessive stress. Has anyone else been advised of the same?

4 likes, 69 replies

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  • marymac
    marymac

    Posted

    Maddi - i was most interested to read your report of your sigmoid removal particularly the view that the complaint was stress related. could you please describe your symptons which led to the removal of your sigmoid colon . i am undergoing tests currently. thank you v much
  • Maddi
    Maddi

    Posted

    Hi! Marymac... Problems with the digestive system can be caused by many conditions and it would be wrong to cause you any undue concern at this stage regarding your ongoing tests. Stress can be related to many different digestive disorders and quit often can aggrevate a condition although it hasn't caused the problem. I would suggest that you wait for the results of your tests and any outcome... then you can study that particular condition, be it diverticulitis, IBS, etc. Any pain/discomfort is going to cause concern but, be assured that your GP and any other professionals will advise you of the best course of treatment for your particular situation. In the meantime, take care of yourself : )
    • MELEKIE
      MELEKIE Maddi

      Posted

       Hi, Maddi,

      I was informed last May my  CT scan clear  after 3 days in hospital on a drip nil by mouth and on Morphine  they could see no reason for my pain  DICHARGED ME

       .However have been through a year of hell and had my appendics taken out last September but still in pain .I have now found out was lie my ct scan AND INFORMED MY G.P  CLEAR JOKE NOT  last year showed dirviculitus of the sigmoid colon . My PAIN HAS ALWAYS BEEN ON THE RIGHT . .I have had many urine infections and landed up in AE six times .!! The thing is that not every one gets pain on the left and some people have the pain on the right and mine is now affecting my lower back . Also they do not tell you that diverticulitus can cause other problems with other Organs .! Therefore my Gp has arranged for me to see the urologyst re UTI.s . ALSO YOU CAN GET DIVERICULITUS AT ANY AGE MY FRIENDS GRANDAUGHTER  HAS IT AND SHE IS ONLY 23 YEARS OLD AND IT HAS AFFECTED HER UTERUS .

        Personally I think it is an inherited weakness of the bowel .Both my sons developed heitus hernier at age 40 years old .

      There is just one year between them .I find this very strange .It was almost to the year by the dot because their is only one year between them . I find the medical proffesion  put everything down to stress when nothing to do with it .

      All  I CAN SAY IS THE HOSPITAL YOU WENT TO MUST BE GOOD ONE .. As for mine they have kept me in the dark even said my appendics was normal when not .

      Had benign  tumors and previous evedence of past inflamation fibrous tissue at tip   they also when removing my appendics my overys fine but had some dirviculitus on the left ..

      Well the report I have from the Chief executive that hospital said they could not find my left overy ok .I have two the fact they could not find my left overy was because when they put air in me re the operation and looked  my overy hidden by the colon

       . Hence when in AE ONCE WAS PATRONISED SAYING  I HAD ONLY ONE OVERY DONT I REMEMBER THAT OPERATION . I do have two and said you must been reading the wrong notes . 

      I had colonoscopy on April 7 th and have had no feed back yet joke not

      .However another doctor that hospital bought up on screen had allot of divericulitus my age 69 years and deep pockets large pockets .   YES AND STILL WAITING TO SEE THE SURGEON . HENCE COMPLAINT TO CHIEF EXECUTIVE COMPLAINTS DEPT JANUARY 27 TH  RE ERRORS AND NOT INFORMING ME WHEN THINGS NOT NORMAL and saying normal .clear whatever .

       yours still in pain . 

  • marymac
    marymac

    Posted

    Dear Maddi

    thank you so much for your upbeat reply - it is just what I need right now. I will heed your advice and wait until some sort of diagosis has been made.

    thanks a lot

    marymac

  • gailehughes
    gailehughes

    Posted

    I was diagnosed 18mnths ago with diverticular disease and was told to eat high fibre, which I already was. I also have a constriction in my bowel, which they have offered to cut out if the problems become too much. I never get the urge to go any more, I just have to sit and wait for it to happen which is not good for my prize winning piles!

    I have found drinking wheatgrass helpful in keeping me regular, but not the most palatable of things to take - must have it in orange juice and drink whilst holding nose wink

    • trish82623
      trish82623 gailehughes

      Posted

      Try making a smooth with the wheatgrass. I usually make a couple of servings of the wheatgrass at a time and then refrigerate over night, this gets rid of some of the chalkiness. Then I mix with ice, Greek yogurt, juice and fruit. Still gross to look at, but the taste isn't bad

  • Maddi
    Maddi

    Posted

    Hi! If it's any help at all... I was told that the surgeons found my bowl was constricted adjoining the rectum and that this was due to scar tissue from previous abdominal surgery.

    As for wheatgrass... I've never used it, preferring to use lactoluse (prescribed / counter) which, I have been advised to take: x1 teaspoon every other night.

    Also, whenever I experience a particularly difficult time (as I still do) with going to the toilet... I go on a white / low residue diet consisting of white bread, rice, etc. Poached fish, mashed potato, etc. This allows the bowel to rest as it can be prone to going into spasm when there are weaknesses which, can be aggrevated when taking to much fibre content.

    My greatest disappointment is that I'm not able to eat vast quantities of chocolate anymore!! My bowl simply wont allow it!!

    Finally, the reason I had surgery was because I developed diverticulitis which, is when the diverticulae become infected and inflammed... It's a disease which, cannot be cured, only managed. Good luck : )

    • louise63034
      louise63034 Maddi

      Posted

      Hi i was admitted into hospital sunday eve with severe abdominalpain left side after examination xrays and CT scan they found a small hole in my bowel and i stayed in on introvenous drip fluids anti biotics theysaid untill it healed, i was nil by mouth mon and then tues allowed a bit of food while still in hospital  i had bit of a bad day  been sick after eating for the first time ..came home weds night very emotional and uncomfortable but feeling a little better today after a good nights sleep glad to be home, got3 days of antibiotics left .Ive been diagnosed with Diviculitis/ divicular disease /chrohns its got various names my grandma had it apparantly ...anyway i will be prone to flare ups but can prevent them by not eating certain foods any seeds which includes tomatoes cucumber grapes kiwi any bread like seeded batch which i love !!! Since i went veggie in jan ive eaten more lentils seeds pumkin seeds, chia, etc on salads in smoothies its possible ive had it a while but since eating more of these things latley small things can get trapped in pouches of intestines causing infection thus causing severe abdominal pain which is why i went into hosp...so the antibiotics hopefully have helped seal the hole caused by diviculitis but im prone to attacks like this now for ever i just have to irradicate many things from my diet inc white cabbage & lettuce so my healthy salads with nuts ,chia tomatoes and cucumber that ive been having lately and my fruit salads with kiwi grapes (cant eat skin on any fruit either ) are all Off the menu i love water melon though thats all i seem to be able to eat and doesnt cause me any pain atm i know that i will be able to broaden my diet once this swelling goes down in my intestines ...still on anti biotics for a few more days ...then ive got the camera up to look forward to in 6 weeks just to make sure nothing else but i dont think it is so im not worrying. I am only 47 years old run a 5k 2 or 3 times a week excercise regulaly have 6 horses and am constantly on the go , i eat heathily but apparantly am now finding out this condition can be brought on with stress. Hope this info  helps someone else, and if anyone can help me with any advice greatly appreciated too smile

    • sam62476
      sam62476 louise63034

      Posted

      Hi , I had colon resection 12.18.13 left hosp 12.24, back in 12.31. 4 days later had omentectomy. Couldnt hardly move, home health for 2 months. Returned to work, desk job. Numerous attacks, have quit working. Attacks frequently. On antibotics at present. One day at a time now!

  • gailehughes
    gailehughes

    Posted

    Lactulose oils everything going through whereas wheatgrass is full of enzymes, chlorophyll, minerals, and highly concentrated vitamins.

    One of the main wheatgrass benefits is chlorophyll, that has a chance to draw toxins in you body just like a magnet. Considered as the “blood of plants”, chlorophyll can heal and soothe inner tissues. The chlorophyll in wheatgrass has elevated levels of light energy and oxygen, which could supply the body tissues and the brain by having an optimal environment to function. The chlorophyll in wheatgrass also offers antibacterial property, which could stop the growth of parasites in your body.

  • juliajean
    juliajean

    Posted

    hi everyone i have been told i have multiple diverticular in the sigmoid section. this after having many camera exams. told to eat more fruit and fibre. joined slimming world to lose some weight ate healthy foods lots of fruit and veg but i have only emptied my bowel once in this week i have pain and i have taken milpar to help but no joy. i hav'nt lost any weight.

  • gailehughes
    gailehughes

    Posted

    Recently I have upped my exercise regime and have been opening my bowels at least once a day - we have put a bicycle/cross trainer in the dining room and I try to cycle at least 10k a day. It's made an enormous difference - I have severe back problems and this machine is low impact and comfortable to use.
  • juliajean
    juliajean

    Posted

    unfortuateley i am disabled and have difficulty exercising or would do this. but thanks as i know it would hel. i have had two operations on my spine. i am back to see my specialist on the 3rd august i will seewhat he can advise as well. but he did say fruit and vegetables plus he gave me a laxative to take morning and night but nothing moving yet.

    thankyou.

  • cooldraw
    cooldraw

    Posted

    Hello. I'm two weeks post surgery and had 16cm of my sigmoid colon removed. I'm 38 years old and very fit. I train and compete in martial arts on a regular basis. I mountain climb, run, ride bikes and fly paragliders. I'm pretty good at eating healthy and I've never had other medical issues in my life.

    A few months ago I started to feel a small uncomfortable bulge on the left side of my abdominal after hitting about 2km in my jogs. It never hurt too much, but was quite uncomfortable more than anything else. I saw a doctor and he said it could be a small hernia, but not serious enough for surgery.

    On a recent business trip to China, I started to have really bad stomach pains. A few days later I checked into a hospital and they diagnosed me with a ruptured appendix. They cut me open and realized the appendix had not been ruptured. Instead it was inflamed due to an infected diverticuli. They took out the appendix and cleaned me up. I spent about 5 days stabilizing in the hospital and boarded a plane home to Singapore as soon as I could. I landed and checked into the best hospital singapore had to offer. A few days later I went in for another surgery and had 16cm of the color removed. Having two surgeries in 8 days made me feel like i was hit by a freight train. Three days later I was off the morphine and walking again. My mom pushed me to drink tons of water and walk as much as possible. I've been home a few days now and I'm feeling great. Doctor pulled out 34 staples and the drainage tube just two days ago.

    Doctors were pretty surprised I had all these diverticulis at such a young age, but he did say it was common. Not so common for infections and ruptures thoughsad

    The doctors don't know why people get this disease, but they do think its brought on by stress. I do have lots of that with my businesses and family life, but probably mo lore than the next person.

    I still have these annoying pouches in my colon and we can only hope that it will never get Infected again.

    I can't wait to eat spicy foods again!

    Cheers.

    • leolynx
      leolynx cooldraw

      Posted

      Hi Cooldraw,

      Just read your postings and i have a very similar condition as you. Am currently seeking opinions on removing my sigmoid colon due to the diverticula too. Was wondering if you could share your post operation experience. Tks

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