Diverticulitis won’t go away

Posted , 6 users are following.

I’ve had lower abdominal cramps for 8 weeks. My Dr suspects diverticulitis. Gets bearable then returns. Tried Cipro and FLAGYL but could not tolerate. Anyone else have ongoing symptoms?

0 likes, 18 replies

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  • Posted

    Taking the antibiotics gets rid of the inflamation. Ask your doc for another antibiotic if you can't tolerate the flagyl and cipro. But you must get rid of the inflammation to get rid of the pain.

    • Posted

      Thank you, i see a GI Dr. on Wednesday so I will as him to recommend a different round of antibiotics. I'm mostly have a liquid diet and when the pain eases I add soft foods. But yesterday the terrible cramping returned (I ate mac &cheese which probably wasn't good) so I'm back to liquids. Any diet tips?

    • Posted

      Oh no. I so wanted to try mac and cheese. I'm infection free but everything Ive been on does not clear up inflammation. Then liquid diets cause their own problems after a long duration and havent been pain free for over 2 months also. Will follow to see what your GI suggests as got no help from mine. Been doing mashed potatoes with baby food squeeze pouches over top for flavor. Mrs. Grass soup, scrambled eggs and toast, rice crispies. English muffin with egg over easy.

    • Posted

      thank you for the diet tips, perhaps tomorrow I will try some scrambled eggs!

    • Posted

      stay on the liquid diet for about 2 weeks. popsicles, any drink you like except alcohol, broth. this should give your bowel time to completely heal. after that add a soft diet. soft scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, soups i.e. potato, mushroom, etc. basically just take it easy on your bowel until it heals. the cramping will get easier if you watch your diet.

  • Posted

    Suspects is not good enough, you need proof. It sounds to me like you could have a lingering infection, which if not treated properly could cause nasty complications. Definitive proof is provided by a CT scan and Colonoscopy. I suggest you go back to your doctor and ask for proper tests, if you have not had them. I was prescribed with Doxycycline 100mg tablets, 2 on first day, then 1 for next 6 days, plus Metronidazole 400mg tablets, 3 times a day for 7 days. I am in the UK so our medications are different to the USA.

    • Posted

      Thank you, I asked about a Ct but was told they didn't want me exposed to so much radiation. BUT I'm definitely asking the specialist on Wednesday for CT and Colonoscopy as you are suggesting. It is frustrating how long it takes to schedule appointments and then schedule the tests. i believe I have tolerated doxycycline in the past, i was on the Metronidazole which gave me heart burn and burping.

  • Posted

    Also taking Bentyl for cramping which seems to help. Anyone have experience with Bentyl?

  • Posted

    No experience on Bentyl. I'm from US. I have had my bouts in the past but no more. However, I no longer have 10.5" of my colon either. I tolerated the Flagyl and Cipro very well and it worked well. After several flares in one year and the formation of a fistula I was surgery bound. I'm sorry you are having such a hard time. I understand your frustration so well. Liquid diets have been suggested for 2 weeks then a bland diet. Liquid is suggested to give your bowel a chance to heal. The bland is to ease them back into digesting and passing solids. Hope this helps.

    • Posted

      Thank you LUCYB53 , it really helps to hear from everyone! Was feeling very alone and freaked out about how long this has gone on!

    • Posted

      Any time Kate. We are all in this together. This is a great site and lots of support. I haven't been very active lately since I got better but I will try to stay here to help anyone I can. Experience is a great teacher. I will pass along what I have learned to help anyone that needs me.

    • Posted

      LucyB53,

      I have a fistula (vagina).

      I need surgery. Told will remove some bowel.

      I also need hernia repair.

      I had been waiting to hear if her partner would operate on the hernia.

      I was told I'd get an answer within a week, as partner was on vacation.

      It was several weeks with no answer, so I called her office, only to be told she left the practice.

      I need to schedule an appointment with a doctor at same practice.

      Truthfully I've been living with this since July.

      I started a temp to hire job and waiting to be hired permanently.

      What kind of surgery did you have? Lapro or open?

      How long in hospital?

      Recovery time?

      Did you have a colostomy?

      Thank you for any insight

    • Posted

      my story....I was 68 years old. It started in early 2015. First surgery December 28. They had found a fistula between my bladder and bowel. They did open surgery to repair fistula and remove 10.5" of my bowel from DD. 6 days after surgery I had a leak in the resection. They had to go back in and repair the leak and I had a bag for 12 weeks. Named it the "little as*hole" just so I could deal with the situation. You just gotta laugh sometimes. They took the bag down and ended up with a blockage a few weeks after that. They treated it and it passed. A couple weeks later I was back in ER with a full blown blockage caused from an adhesion that grew around my eliocecal valve. Emergency surgery to remove my valve. Read up on it. Finally healed up and I am a new person. I still have diarrhea off and on but all in all I'm doing great. So you see I don't know how long it will take you to recover, all I can tell you is that you will recover and life will be good again.

    • Posted

      my surgery wasn't typical so don't panic. I have talked to several people who go in, get the work done and get over it. completely healed and back to a normal life in 6 to 8 weeks.

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