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Diverticulitis and PMR

Posted , 7 users are following.

djwillms
djwillms

I've been lurking, not commenting for a while but I have a question for you.  In May 2014 I had a bad bout of diverticulis which was treated with Ciprofloxacin and Metronidazole.  I had a CT scan which showed no abscess but did show the inflamed diverticula.  In October of that year I had another attack which was much less severe.  At the end of November, 2014, I developed PMR which I have been treating, under the care of a Rheumatologist, since then.  I have never gotten below 5 mg of prednisone.  I am also taking Leflunomide (Arava.)  Before that I tried four months of Methotrexate which did nothing but make me sick.  I have also had intermittent bouts of diverticulitis--sometimes treated and sometime self-resolving.  Has anyone else had similar problems?  I know the doc checked me for inflammatory bowl disease as part of my general work-up and that was essentially negative.  Curiosity reigns.  I am getting sick of being sick.

Minnesota/USA

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • djwillms
    djwillms

    Posted

    PS.  My ESR and CRP continue to high throughout treatment.
  • susan29426
    susan29426 djwillms

    Posted

    After about 14 months of being on prednisone for PMR, I developed diverticulitis which led to the emergency removal of 8" of colon and a -hopefully - temporary colostomy bag. The prednisone masked the pain which should have been associated with my condition. I was told that had I not presented myself for an (unrelated) hernia check, I would have died within 48 hours. At the time, I was on a high dose of 40 mg prednisone which - based on my experience and feedback from members of this group - was unnecessary. I'm at 15 mg now, trying to get it as low as possible for the reattachment surgery in a few months. I'm sick of being sick, too! Best wishes.

  • margaret22251
    margaret22251 djwillms

    Posted

    Hi i am waiting for a ct scan on my bowels and spleen as since being on pred i to have diverticulitis so the doctor wants to see what is causing my pain.

     

  • Australia
    Australia djwillms

    Posted

    Hi I too have the same problem. I am now trying trying different foods. One thing I must mention. Both my parents had this problem so, I am sure it is hereditary. My diet has always been good  Now I am replacing red meat twice a week with legumes. I am also only having two meals a day
    • Anhaga
      Anhaga Australia

      Posted

      Do fermented foods help, such as yoghurt, fermented veggies, some cheeses, kefir, kombucha, etc?

    • djwillms
      djwillms Anhaga

      Posted

      No.  I know that I will have a flare-up of diverticulitis if I eat too much, get constipated or indulge in popcorn, too many raspberries or strawberries. The problem isn't really managing the diverticulits which I think I have had for a long time.  Really my question is whether the inflammation it causes could have triggered the PMR and then become part of a vicious cycle.

      Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions.  BTW, I love and drink "fermented tea."

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