Recurrence post op

Posted , 3 users are following.

Hey,

Posting on here as was interested in the experiences/advice of other post-surgery.

I was diagnosed with diverticula disease in 2017 after finding blood in my stool and after three attacks in five months (the last that saw me hospitalised for 9 days) I elected for surgery. That took place early in 2018 and I had hoped that the removal of 40-45cm of my bowel would be the end of the matter, however it sadly hasn't been the case.

More bleeding less than 11 months later saw me referred to the specialist, with the colonoscopy highlighting that the diverticula had spread all over. I was discharged back to the GP and I have managed the abdominal pain and cramps with buscopan and painkillers, however the symptoms and pain have gradually been worsening (although not quite to the levels that saw me hospitalised).

Has anyone else been through anything similar post-surgery? If so, what have the next steps been?

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Posted

    Do you have a colostomy? My stomach can get upset but its usually when I eat too much at once, or just a trigger food like Chinese always gets me but it's just so good.

    I don't think they found anymore diverticula in my colonoscopy a few weeks ago though for my reversal in a few days, so in my case it's been 10 months since surgery and fortunately everything seems good from the stoma.

    Getting my enema done very shortly, hoping that is ok too, and the end of this nightmare will be on sight!

    • Posted

      Thanks for the reply. I didn't need a stoma - good luck with the reversal. I hope it all goes well and sounds encouraging that there were no signs of diverticula on your latest tests.

      I do have trigger foods (anything with spice, fatty foods and alcohol - so all the good stuff!) that can cause issues but the cramps/pain/worsening symptoms appear to be seperate to these.

      As I say, the colonoscopy 11 months post-op had highlighted that the diverticula were not only back but had spread.

      Booked back in to see a specialist on Wednesday now to see what the next steps are.

    • Posted

      That's really lousy luck for you. I've had the resection and i would hate to get the dreaded diverticulitis back. I would be interested to know what your specialist says. Good luck.

  • Posted

    Do you have a colostomy? My stomach can get upset but its usually when I eat too much at once, or just a trigger food like Chinese always gets me but it's just so good.

    I don't think they found anymore diverticula in my colonoscopy a few weeks ago though for my reversal in a few days, so in my case it's been 10 months since surgery and fortunately everything seems good from the stoma.

    Getting my enema done very shortly, hoping that is ok too, and the end of this nightmare will be on sight!

  • Posted

    Tony,

    I am 9 weeks post-op. I foot of colon was removed, no stoma.

    I do have some lingering pains but they are not really diverticular pains.

    If i eat too much in one sitting, too much spice or if i push too hard on the toilet

    I will get a touchy day due to one of those. While it is touchy, it is not painful like before and it always

    recedes quickly. How much are you eating and what are you eating may be the big questions here....

    So sorry to hear this keeps coming back for you.

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