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Just had a diverticulitis attack. Spent the last 3 days with pain, chills & fever.

Posted , 4 users are following.

Ibasold
Ibasold

Starts with pain & constipation. Then comes the chills & fever. Finally stops but starts all over again next day. Spent a day in hospital 2 1/2 years ago. Gastro dr is saying I should have surgery. Been postponing. Looking for alternative help.

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • kim27383
    kim27383 Ibasold

    Posted

    What would they do in the surgery?
    • Ibasold
      Ibasold kim27383

      Posted

      Surgery removes at least a foot of lower colon whivh now has scat tissue. Because of diverticulitis. Was adbused to have surgery 2 1/2 years ago. Have been postponing it. However in last month at least once a week I get chills & fever. Lasts a few hours but returns again following week. Do you know of alternatives?

    • kim27383
      kim27383 Ibasold

      Posted

      They give me antibiotics when I have issues. It takes days but eventually I feel better. I have had several attacks over the last few years.
    • vic_07103
      vic_07103 Ibasold

      Posted

      Your lower bowel is about 5 feet so if doc said remove a foot they’ll probably remove less when they actually see it .  AFTER THE SURGERY YOU WILL NEVER HAVE A FLAIR UP , you won’t have the pain, it will all be gone.  You won’t be sick with diverticulitis anymore.  If of course it was all within that one foot area 
  • dee88278
    dee88278 Ibasold

    Posted

    Have you had a round of antibiotics for this attack?  Seems like if you have only had one other attack, surgery is kinda being rushed.  What do you do to try and avoid the constipation?  Good fiber supplements and stool softeners can help that which would end up helping the div. attacks.  Might want to get a second opinion about surgery.  That is usually a last resort after all else (diet, medications, etc.) have not worked.
  • vic_07103
    vic_07103 Ibasold

    Posted

    A second opinion on the surgery is a must, did u have colonoscopy?  Once surgery is confirmed thru second opinion I highly recommend it since you’ve put it off so long and since you and the surgeon have the opportunity to schedule and plan, and because you have infected flair ups.  You must avoid emergency surgery at all costs which can happen at any moment if your bowl perforates.  And that emergency surgery is life threatening ....
  • Guest
    Guest Ibasold

    Posted

    Where are you based?  In the UK surgery is not done unless a last resort.  You are expected to manage by yourself with medication, diet and lifestyle changes, unless there is a life threatening complication, like a blockage, fistula.  So if you were advised in the UK to have surgery, you probably need it. 

    However if you are USA based, some of the medical people there seem to be "chop chop" happy.  Were you advised after just one attack?  If so, then definitely another opinion required.  This is just a guess, but are you the type of person who avoids doctors and medical treatment for as long as possible.  Have you sought antibiotics since these flare ups re-started?  It could be a grumbling infection that just needs antibiotics to sort out.  If you leave it untreated your insides may very well get worse.  Did you make changes to your diet and lifestyle after your first attack?  Are your mini flares coming after you eat a certain type of food?

    I have lived with this disease for over 16 years without surgery, by identifying my trigger foods (gluten, full fat) and eliminating them from my diet. I take a daily stool softener and probiotic drink to ensure my bowels are emptied, and there is good bacteria in my gut.  When I get the cramps, fever and chills, I see my GP and get a course of antibiotics.  3 flares in 14 years, then 3 in the last 17 months.  This is not a nice disease and it does take time to get over an attack, weeks or even months.  However surgery is not the be all and end all.  Yes they remove the diseased part, but it can then start to develop in the remaining part of the colon.  Or it may have already spread, and you are back to square one.  My cousin had a partial removal due to a fistula, and a temporary bag which was removed after 12 months.  Mine is all over and the surgical option for me is the same as his 2nd operation - complete removal and a permanent colostomy bag.  No thank you!  This of course does have to be balanced against the people like Vic below, whose operation was successful, although I would ask the questions - how long ago and what diet/lifestyle changes did he make.  He is right to say you should avoid emergency surgery at all costs - not something that can be done in the UK, as my cousin discovered, as there is usually no surgical alternative.  Best wishes.

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