Posted , 27 users are following.
After 4 years plus of diverticular disease and diverticulitis attacks I am finally having an op. Very apprehensive about it but hopefully it will give me some relief as I have been confined to the bathroom and sofa every morning for the past year. Has anyone else had surgery? Would love to hear from anyone who has had surgery as not finding many comments on surgery.
1 like, 99 replies
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cecilmccecil Annie-Marie
Posted
nikki40210 Annie-Marie
Posted
I had a sigmoid colectomy 6 weeks ago for ongoing pain following diverticulitis and perforation 18 months ago. After the first few days I thought I was recovering really well with gradual progress every day, but after a couple of weeks my pain and fatigue got significantly worse. That lasted 10 days, then I began to improve really quickly again. Now I've had another relapse. I can't think of anything I have done as I've been sensible with my recovery. Now I'm concerned that the surgery has not sorted my problem and that I will continue to have flares. Has anyone else experienced this?
mr_54542 nikki40210
Posted
I think it's normal Nikki. You have to give yourself time to recover as it's a major operation and your body needs to adjust. 3 mths in you'll be feeling stronger and that will improve every week until 6 mths passes and you're back to normal. 6 weeks is too soon.
caroline98902 nikki40210
Posted
I am going in for surgery on 17th April, and my surgeon said it would be at least six months before i felt anywhere normal.
Take it easy and listen to your body.
Keep us up to date how you are doing
Dollyllama nikki40210
Posted
I did not have the surgery, but my doc told me specifically that if I did opt to have it, this exact scenario would occur about 2 weeks after the surgery, super tired, feeling like a major setback. She said it may happen a few times, each time being a little less bad. 2 steps forward, one step back kinda thing. I hope you heal fast and feel better soon!
nikki40210 mr_54542
Posted
Thank you to everyone who so kindly replied so my post. I appreciate it so much! I'm now in my 8th week post op and really don't feel any better. I have the occasional few hours when I feel quite good but I very soon revert to feeling unwell. The discomfort and bloating are really getting me down now. I've felt unwell since I had severe diverticulitis 18 months ago and I was told this surgery may or may not help. I'm supposed to be going back to work at 12 weeks but unless something dramatic changes there's no chance. I have an unsustainable quality of life at the moment and am losing hope of recovery.
mr_54542 nikki40210
Posted
Nikki you have to stick with it. You’ve had a major operation and your body is taking time to recover and adjust. I felt dreadful afterwards as well but you will get there. It’s really important as well to work on your mindset. You’ve been ill for so long that’s what you’re used to. Start thinking positively of all the fun things you’ll do when it improves and how great you feel. We all can get stuck in a negative mental state and need to remember we have the (will) power to change it. Come on! You’ve been through the worst. The best is yet to come 👍
nikki40210 mr_54542
Posted
Could I ask you what the pattern of your recovery was like? I know it's different for everyone but it helps to understand others experiences. I have been making plans of things to look forward to and in the short windows of feeling relatively well I feel excited, motivated and happy. It's just hard to keep picking yourself up again and again and the sustain the believe that it will resolve. Deep breath...and thank you.
mr_54542 nikki40210
Posted
nikki40210 mr_54542
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That's really helpful. A lot of websites and information I have read says that you can be back to work and full activities in about 6-8 weeks so I thought I was doing really badly! Sounds like I've had somewhat unrealistic expectations. Thank you for taking the time to respond. You've been incredibly helpful, thank you!
nikki40210 caroline98902
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Thank you for taking the time to reply, I really appreciate that. I'll be thinking of you on 17th.
nikki40210 Dollyllama
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That's really helpful. Thanks so much for taking the time to respond.
Katealso nikki40210
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Just wondering how you are feeling now? I feel everyday I’m stronger! I’m only 3 wks post op but mostly feel good. My biggest complaint is unexpected diarrhea . So I hope that stops soon. I do get tired though.
Hope u are feeling better
Kate
nikki40210 Katealso
Posted
Hi Kate. It's good to hear that you are doing so well. I'm sure the diarrhoea will settle given a little more time. I'm doing better but still very up and down. I get some fairy good days but discomfort is easily aggravated if I do too much or don't rest enough. I've been reassured by this forum that things take time so I'm trying to be patient. It's not easy though. Good luck with everything. Sounds like you're doing great so far!
caroline98902 nikki40210
Posted
Hi nikki,
I'm glad you are doing better, yourself and Kate give me hope that when i have my operation on the 15th May all will be well.
Keep well and try not to rush things x