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Diverticulitis Help

Posted , 3 users are following.

jessg94
jessg94

About 3 years ago I started getting this horrible pain in my side but when I went to the doctor she couldn't figure out what it was. She was sending me to a bunch of specialists to no avail. Lastly, she sent me to my GI doc for a colonosopy but he told me it didn't sound GI related. I have a fear of getting this procedure because my Grandmother had her bowel punctured and she passed away. I declined, thinking it wasn't related. I also have Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever/Lyme Disease so I went on Doxy and the pain went away. I thought for certain it was that. One year later, the pain came back so I thought it was the other stuff acting up again. Went back on Doxy and it cleared up. Well, I now have it again, and I asked my lyme doctor about it and she told me it most likely wasn't lyme but diverticulitis. She put me on Flagyl and Bactrim for 10 days but I can still feel the pain in my side. The Flagyl is also making me feel like I am going to puke all of the time. I made an appointment to see my GI doc for this Wednseday. 

How long should it take for the pain to start going away after you've started antibiotics? I am starting to get really nervous about this. I am a little suprised my regular doctor and now my former GI doc had no clue it could be diverticulitis. Has anyone had similar experiences?

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Scouwegian
    Scouwegian jessg94

    Posted

    Hi Jess

    sorry to hear of your current state of health and problems you have had with your healthcare providers.

    I am in the uk, but was lucky that my Doctor suspected Diverticulitis on the first visit along with other stomach/bowel disorders. and started what seemed a slow process of investigations.

    I was pretty stupid in that I waited two months before approaching My doctor, and had put up with the pain with over the counter analgesics. Not much use. The Doc did try antibiotics however I found they had no effect. not what you wished to hear sorry.

    I had a full colonoscopy, no sedation, that was DUMB on my part, but no lasting effects. Also a full CT scan a few weeks later, all this confirmed this horrible disease.

    So here we are eight months after the problem struck, constant discomfort, pain or outright agony at times. I saw a Consultant the beginning of the month who advised that to be "free" of it I needed the whole of the sigmoid colon to be removed. He gave me three months to think about and see him again in November, I have appt to see him in three weeks to say go ahead and do it.

    The other posters on here have been a great help with there experiences pre and post op. To me it was a no brainer to have it done.

    Read some of the other discussions, try changing your diet to see if you can help your condition. Stay positive, you will find a solution that works for you at some point

    Ste

    • jessg94
      jessg94 Scouwegian

      Posted

      I am sorry to hear that. I hope I am not that bad off that I will need sugery. I actually had all of my attacks right after vacation which is when I ate a lot of fried foods. For the most part I eat pretty good but not on vacations. I think that is what caused the pain/infection.
    • Scouwegian
      Scouwegian jessg94

      Posted

      I have found that certain foods make matters worse for me, nuts, seeds, red onions, sweet potato, butternut squash, chocolate, beer, carbonated drinks to name a few. I seem to discover new foods to avoid on a regular basis, so I assume it is a progression. The surgery does not worry me, I have read several forums and found people local to me who have had it for the same reason, few have regretted it.

      Fingers crossed your change back to your normal diet helps, mine kicked off after the rich food diet at Christmas.

       

    • aifric7975
      aifric7975 Scouwegian

      Posted

      All the best for your surgery and wishing it will give you new lease of life.
    • Scouwegian
      Scouwegian aifric7975

      Posted

      Thanks Aifric, hope you are fairing better

      have found today that like you I am having cramps right side with pain round to my back, aswell as normal left and central issues ;o(

    • aifric7975
      aifric7975 Scouwegian

      Posted

      I'm back with Consultant next Wednesday normally just a post op check up but now we have to deal with right side which has been infected 3 times in 3 months!!! I'm hoping he has a solution!!

    • Scouwegian
      Scouwegian aifric7975

      Posted

      I am sure that bad language is not allowed in the forum, so I will say that this disease is " of mean and doubtful parentage" or a "complete barsteward"

      Fingers crossed for your next appointment

  • LucyB53
    LucyB53 jessg94

    Posted

    Jess, I was treated like a drug seeker when I went to the ER for my DD.  Though it was undiagnoised at the time.  The Doc threw pain releivers at me and sent me home while the entire time I was asking him to please tell me what was causing the pain and fix it not just treat the symptoms.  Finally found a doc that would listen and we got it fixed.  I was also on Flagyl and Bactrim.  The Flagyl always left my mouth feeling terrible but went away a few days after finishing the round.  My pain would continue sometimes and I would have to take two rounds to get it under control.  Be sure to let your doc know you are still having pain.  They may order a CT Scan to see what the issues are and if it is healing any.  I had a rough time before my surgery but am much better since then.  Don't recommend surgery unless it is absolutely necessary though.  

    Hope you feel better soon, Jess.  Nothing worse than the flares that DD can cause.  

    • jessg94
      jessg94 LucyB53

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply! I hope it doesn't have to come to surgery for me. 

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