Location of Diverticula
Posted , 8 users are following.
Hello All,
I was diagnosed with Diverticulitis with a perforation after a trip to the ER and a ct scan in Aug'17. I spent 5 days in the hospital with heavy antibiotics and the advise to eat a high fiber diet after discharge. Since then, and a colonoscopy later, I have been told I have diverticula in my transverse and descending portion of the colon. Dr's have insisted to follow a high fiber diet, drink plenty of water, and time will only tell.
What I wanted to know is this diverticula able to continue to weaken additional areas of the colon or just stay in the area its located. Does it progress? I'm guessing yes if you don't eat right? or does it really matter what you eat? It seems from everything I read that it doesn't.
And since half my colon is affected Does this mean surgery options are limited, should that day ever come.
Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated
-Heather
0 likes, 19 replies
kerry58794 heatherann1974
Posted
Sorry you're in the "club" ... I was diagnosed 1 month before you. I've yet to eat high fiber. Like you I was in the hospital - 6 days - 5 on massive antibiotic regime (no food or drink for those 5 days) - I believe they call this "bowel rest" ... I was a liquid diet for several weeks, truthfully, I was afraid to eat anything. Introduced soft foods, mac & cheese, heartier soups, pasta, scrambled eggs.
Well, last Friday night I was attending a wedding. It was an evening wedding and we were waiting for the bridal party to come to the reception hall - took 1.5 hours (they were taking pictures around the town). There was gourmet popcorn ... all hungry at the table, several bags were opened ... yes, I had a few pieces of popcorn ... it tasted so good and I didn't have many. For dinner, green beans were served ... I had a few of those.
Needless to say Saturday and Sunday I had a flare-up ... believe it was the popcorn and green beans (seeds) - ran a fever, felt crappy (no pun intended) and laid around in the recliner napping. Finally Monday I felt better.
Told my husband if I even look at popcorn again ... hit me!
And I was doing so well. Back to liquid diet for a while for me.
heatherann1974 kerry58794
Posted
Hi Kerry,
I hope you are feeling better. POPCORN I was told is a big NO NO. The beans are good, the seeds in them are soft. I was told by GI Dr. that as long as I chew my food a little bit extra, drink plenty of water that eating nuts would not be a problem. The popcorn on the other hand has the shell that also gets stuck in your teeth is the same that possibly could get stuck in colon. I'm learning the "D" club is very common and thank you for reaching out. I still feel as if I was treated and forgotten. I'm learning to eat better and drink more water, lots of water. But, the fear of food, pooping, and colon behavior is constantly on my mind. I worry but less as time goes by.
kerry58794 heatherann1974
Posted
I need to remember just because I'm feeling better ... don't get too brave! I wondered about the seeds in the green beans, as they are "mushy" ... I'm so thankful I didn't need surgery. I've dropped 25 lbs since July. My appetite isn't what it used to be and I don't eat between meals ... we have a candy dish at work and even though I like sweets, used to have a HUGE sweet tooth, it doesn't interest me - strange. I will eat ice cream (Lactaid tabs beforehand).
It's definitely a "lifestyle" change.
thatguychops heatherann1974
Posted
Well we are at nearly two weeks. I too fell under the 1-5% of people who refused surgery and responded to the Zosyn. Following up on a Augmentin regiment with barely any Tylenol for pain. Very little appetite. Funny I promised I would lose 20 lbs when I came home, I just wish it wasn't this way. But it was definitely a wake up call and I have plans to follow up with two specialists (GI's) next week. I firmly believe lots of water (I find myself dehydrated) and a cleaner diet with smaller portions is the answer. But most of all stress.
We are all strong people
-Chops