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How long does diverticulitis last?

Posted , 17 users are following.

Mtwok
Mtwok

Hi, I’m 39 male, was diagnosed with acute uncomplicated sigmoid diverticulitis on a CT scan 12 days ago. Pain has been ongoing on and off for 2 weeks. I was given 5 days of flagyl and keflex. I’m a little overweight (not much atall really) and fairly active with sports and exercise 2-4 days a week. After first course of pills, I was better than originally but the pain eventually came back. I had to go back to hospital and doctor this week after constipation, diharrea and then a little blood in the stool one day. Many days off work. 

They prescribed me another round of pills this time, 7 days. The doctor suspected the 5 day course was too short. Is this normal? Should I even ask for longer than 7 days?

I’m so scared because my real fear is, does this EVER go away or is there a possibility I’m stuck with it unless I get surgery. I’m hoping I will end up as one of the many who have one episode, and done, but right now it’s gone on two weeks and I can’t find any literature out there that says how long this inflammation is supposed to last. I love to travel and be active and this is really depressing me and giving me major anxiety because I don’t know if it will ever go away. 

0 likes, 61 replies

61 Replies

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  • Mtwok
    Mtwok

    Posted

    OMG. 3 hours post-waking up and no real pain to speak of. could this be the end??
    • a95997
      a95997 Mtwok

      Posted

      Sure hope that it is. Wish you all the best
  • dee88278
    dee88278 Mtwok

    Posted

    Hopefully, the - beginning of the "end" of both your div. and the after effects of antibiotics.  However, a word of caution - this disease doesn't just end and go away forever.  You need to go easy as you increase things on your diet, and don't do what so many - including me - become to complacent and forget what got you to the flare.  It is so easy when you start feeling better to think you can go back to eating whatever.  You will always need to be careful of what you know can be triggers, and also be aware of symptoms of a possible flare so you can immediately do what you can to prevent it from getting serious.  You will have on and off again pains - for a long time, possibly forever, but they will probably be just little twinges - sometimes thats a good thing to remind you of what can loom if you aren't careful.  Don't get overly concerned if you have a few more pains today - tomorrow -e tc.  They may come and go fo awhile.

  • Mtwok
    Mtwok

    Posted

    Unfortunately the pain came back. A little later and a little less than yesterday, but I’m taking it as progress. 
  • Mtwok
    Mtwok

    Posted

    Sorry for the multiple posts...but for who cares, it’s now almost bedtime and my flare lasted only 4 hours today. That’s compared to 12 Hours yesterday and all day before that.

    I’m not ready to say I’m on my victory lap from this diagnosis, but I’ll call it progress.

    I think the folllowing has helped:

     - Decreasing the amount of food calories going thru my colon by taking a Rx weight loss drug called Contrave. (Got too hungry without it)

    - 1 tbsp of psyllium fibre in the morning

    - stool softener at night

    - adhering to my antibiotics with no strenuous activity. 

  • Mtwok
    Mtwok

    Posted

    Just wanted to let people who might be following... today is my last day of anti-biotics. (Second round, 7 day course)

    The good news is...the pain disappears when I take Tylenol and/or Aleve. The other good news is, that overall the pain level has gone down. I have not experienced a level 3/10 pain for a while now, it’s been 2 or less. 

    The bad news is that the pain is NOT gone. It is like a roller coaster. I never know when it’s going to come back, but it’s weak enough that I can always take Tylenol to get rid of it.

    So, I’m cautiously optimistic right now. Yesterday my pain was a consistent level 2/10, today has been 0 to 2. Most of today has been pain-free due to the analgesics. It’s now Week 3 and I think I probably have at least the weekend to go at this rate, conservatively I don’t think I’ll be myself again for 1-2 more weeks.

    Hopefully that gives people in my situation some hope. 

    • georgie82565
      georgie82565 Mtwok

      Posted

      Take Tylenol but not Aleve or Motrin.  I have been told that is really not good for this condition by the pharmacy.  I am glad you are seeing some improvement!  Continue cautiously and remember small portions for life.  
  • Mtwok
    Mtwok

    Posted

    I believe For acute diverticulitis without bleeding, NSAIDs (like naproxen [Aleve] or ibuprofen [Motrin]) are safe and effective in moderate amounts. NSAIDs are mainly contraindicated when blood is present in the stool with this condition. If you are facing simple and mild inflammation, NSAIDs can help. I was prescribed naproxen 500 2x daily in the ER. 

    Today is my best day yet, and no painkillers. 

  • Mtwok
    Mtwok

    Posted

    Finished my antibiotics yesterday but spent most of the evening with pain. This morning I ended up with trace amounts of blood in stool. sad No major pain tho. Back at the doctors office now, waiting... one step forward two steps back it seems. sad
  • Mtwok
    Mtwok

    Posted

    They sent me home with nothing and told me to the ER if bleed or pain increases. They are referring me to a GI specialist.

    Little to No pain today, which suggests to me I am getting out of the “acute” stage. The blood is probably simple diverticular bleeding. I understand that light bleeds stop after a couple times as they scar and clot, so I am not worried.

    My second bleed was way way less than the first, which was only a couple teaspoons. This time, I only had streaks in the stool. 

  • Guest
    Guest Mtwok

    Posted

    Hi there,I was diagnosed with this awful condition fourteen years ago,when I get the flare ups completely knocks me side ways,the doc prescribes the usual antibiotics,Ciprofloxacin and flagyl I normally take for about a week seems to do the trick.I also have experienced bleeding episodes when I get the flare ups,I find I just drink clear fluids for a couple of days,this helps to rest the bowel,slowly after introduce low fibre diet,high fibre foods only aggravate the symptoms,once you start feeling better slowly re-introduce the high fibre.

    i am actually a retired nurse so am a bit savvy with the do's and dont's,try to drink plenty of water daily this helps reduce constipation etc,I find what helps me from getting flare ups is high fibre cereals,skinned potatoes plenty of veg etc,I also eat much chicken and fish,try to steer clear from red meats.

    Hope you find this useful and are feeling much better!

    • vickie47128
      vickie47128 Guest

      Posted

      How do you know if you are having a flare up? Does the blood work and cat scan show it if you are? I was on Pristiq for anxiety which I developed from being diagnosed with this DD. and on Xanax . I healed and only now have Diverticulosis, but started having nausea, diarrhea, and bad tummy aches and lower ab pain with twinges. The Pristiq has a lot of same bad side effects so they stopped that med, did blood work which was normal, just waiting on Cat Scan results. I went on 48hr liquid diet, then the soft diet, diarrhea has lightened up but still have some pain. So just courious if the blood work and cat scan show you are having a flare up. 
    • Guest
      Guest vickie47128

      Posted

      Hi Vickie,you would soon know if you were having a flare up,normally get real intense pain normally to the left side of the abdomen,of course everyone is different the pain can be excruciating,also you can become very nausea's,high temperature and notable fresh blood when passing stools!

      Bowel movements can vary becoming quite constipated to being very loose,blood results can indicate if you have signs of anaemia due to rapid blood loss, which can sometimes be the case from the flare up,the scan will  show the Diverticulae which are raised areas on the colon,the areas can rupture which of course cause the bleeding,hope this has answered your question,good luck!

    • Guest
      Guest vickie47128

      Posted

      Hi again vickie,forgot to say when and if you get the bleeding known has diverticulitis,and if this continues for any lengthy period then get yourself to the hospital,this happened to me some years ago and I was rushed in blue light job,was commenced on IV abx fortunately didn't need a blood transfusion,however it could have been the case.

    • vickie47128
      vickie47128 Guest

      Posted

      I’ve never had blood in stools or vomiting nor fevers, just loss of appetite nausea and diarrhea. Bad burning like stomach aches and my pain is left upper side under end of rib cage. With twinges. My abscess was lower left abdomen, so it’s confusing to me. Thank you for great advice
    • Guest
      Guest vickie47128

      Posted

      You sure are blessed not to have the blood and mucous! I hate it! 
    • glenda_82112
      glenda_82112 Guest

      Posted

      Stanley as a retired nurse maybe you can clarify something for me because I'm confused. I was under the impression that Diverticulosis was the precurser to Diverticulitis.  Sounds like we both followed the same plan as far as foods. Unfortunately mine turned out worse than was thought and also had a blockage.  I'm going on 4 weeks after having sigmoid colectomy surgery where they removed 4 " of my colon. I was very fortunate.  For anyone contemplating the surgery I would take the surgery pain over Diverticulitis pain anytime simply because eventually the pain will be gone compared to Diverticulitis which will never go away.  I had never heard of this disease until I was diagnosed.  More literature and knowledge needs to be known to prevent it.

    • Guest
      Guest glenda_82112

      Posted

      Hi Glenda,diverticulosis is termed more a symptom of diverticulitis,it is viewed more a condition rather than a disease(diverticulitis)diverticulosis  is when small raised pouches attach themselves to the colon,on occasion the pouches can become inflamed and infected,hence which leads to diverticulitis.I am pleased you are feeling much better following surgery,sometimes this is the only answer due to the fact part of the colon can become deseased,abscess are not uncommon which again can become serious and complicated,surgery would again be likely in such a case.

      Hope this explains it a bit clearer.

    • vickie47128
      vickie47128 Guest

      Posted

      Good advice, if it comes to surgery I would take it . I am still waiting on Cat Scan, I feel better but never have had a flare up before, so don’t know what to look for or expect. I have been put on so many diff meds due to I developed anxiety/panic attacks when I was diagnosed with DD. All the meds have made me feel worse and cause stomach pain discomfort, so I quit all the meds and just on Xanax 2x a day. I was diagnosed in Feb 2018 , but all cleared up just have diverticulosis now. Was doing real good on diet keeping a food journal but now have stomachache a lot of acid in tummy with nausea, had diarrhea with mucus for 5days, went on 48hr liquids now on soft no fibe diet, like I said my blood work was all normal just waiting on Cat Scan results. So don’t know if it’s a flare up, or blockage or something else. I hear you can get IBS from DD. I am only 4 months into this icky DD , have not returned back to work due to it, and dealing with the anxiety/panic attacks. Lost 32lbs . I also need to have a colonoscopy, my Dr never said to get one. Need to find a new Dr. I am glad I found this forum lots of good info, and advice. Thank you 
    • Guest
      Guest vickie47128

      Posted

      Hi Vickie,this will be the third time I have tried to message you problems with my laptop,as you will see from my previous posts the flare ups can be quite traumatic and very uncomfortable,the pain usually starts in the left side of the abdomen can be quite excruciating and unbearable,this may be accompanied by high temp,feelings of nausea and rectal bleeding not nice at all.

      You say you suffer from panic attacks and anxiety?this of course will not help the situation as stress only adds to the problem,the scan should identify any abnormalities within the colon,eg notable pouches caused by the diverticulosis also any perceived bleeding associated with diverticulitis. 

      I was offered a colonoscopy following a barium enema and MRI scan,however I declined I felt all th blood cultures plus the other two tests were sufficient in terms of making a secure diagnosis.

      stay in there and try to remain positive I'm sure all will be okay in the end,it is an awful disease very dibilitating,keep me posted how you go hope my comments have been of some use.

    • vickie47128
      vickie47128 Guest

      Posted

      Thank you, well all my blood work which was a lot of diff tests came back all normal , and my cat scan showed no sights of a flare up or infection, so possibly developed IBS which I hear is normal for some people who get DD. So referring me to a GI Dr, for a colonoscopy, so for now just sticking to the DD diet plan and hoping I feel better soon. 
    • a95997
      a95997 vickie47128

      Posted

      This is also me. Blood tests and stool cultures all normal. Still having diarrhea 4 to 9 times a day. Some mild left sided abdominal pain. Am eating a normal diet and I have not noticed any difference no matter what I eat. I am eight weeks into this now. My dr is going to refer me to a gastroenterologist.  One thing I have noticed is that for the most part I have no bm at night which I believe is one of the criteria for ibs. If I take Imodium which my dr says is ok then I feel better and do not make so many trips to the bathroom.  Will continue taking it till I see the gastroenterologist just so I can function.  Anyone else take Imodium?
    • Guest
      Guest vickie47128

      Posted

      Hi so glad everything has turned out fine,it's good you've sorted your diet that will help tremendously,water is very good also keeps the colon hydrated and helps with the peristalsis to prevent constipation,I'm sure all will be okay you seem to be doing everything has it should be!

    • vickie47128
      vickie47128 a95997

      Posted

      My pain is burning sensation all over tummy and pain left side of ab, nausea with diarrhea but my Dr said not to take Imodium because you don’t want to get constipation, so for now I just sticking to the DD cleansing diet till I see GI Dr. 
    • vickie47128
      vickie47128

      Posted

      Hi, had my endoscopy today all normal, GI said no need for colonoscopy for 2months because my blood work and Cat scan are all normal. So all good here. Just have a bug or ate something that didn’t like me, so diet is so very important with this disease. Scared of having flare ups though. Best wishes to u. 
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