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Surgery Pros and Cions

Posted , 8 users are following.

linda18628
linda18628

2nd attack after one year and 4 months landed me in the ER and hospital for 3 days. Felt ok for couple days and now I'm having pain again. While in the ER I told the Doctor I didn't eat any of the things that would cause ab attack and he told told me that was a myth. thats some people just have it bad.

i see a surgeon Friday ti discuss possible surgery. i don't want to have surgery but i also dint want to live with pain and only earing soul, pudding, ice cream and oatmeal fir weeks and slowly adding food ti see what u can tolerate. i worry that next time it may rupture.

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • linda18628
    linda18628

    Posted

    PRO's and CON's

    no glasses

  • mjf3814
    mjf3814 linda18628

    Posted

    Hi Linda

    Yours is a tricky dilemma. Firstly you should know that things like a perforation, fistula, abscess are a rare complication of Diverticular Disease, although they can happen. This forum is biased towards people who do have these complications, or have additional bowel conditions like IBS, as those that have an attack and recover do not join, or stop posting once they are better.

    Secondly, I see you are in the USA, where I read lots of different approaches seem to be taken. Some people seem to suggest surgery after two attacks, as a preventative measure, but from what I have read, that is when the attacks take place less than 6 months apart. Your two attacks were 16 months apart, so you need to ask why surgery is being recommended. Your age is relevant, as research seems to indicate that the younger you are, the more likelihood of developing complications. I suggest you do plenty of research and seek several opinions, both from medical people and those who have had the surgery. There are pros and cons, as some people then develop DD further up the colon.

    But the trend does seem to be more towards preventative measures like diet and lifestyle changes first, to see if they work. Recovery from an attack takes weeks, if not months, as the infection then inflammation slowly heal and the symptoms subside. Sometimes it takes more than one course of medication, which sounds like it may be your problem. I have read so many posts from people who are surprised how long recovery takes, and who are terrified to eat, leave the house, suffer depression, have faecal and urinary problems.

    Unfortunately recovery requires patience. You should consider whether you want to spend 6 weeks learning what you can eat, or 6 weeks recovering from the pain of major surgery. Both options have their uncertainties. I am in the UK where elective surgery is never offered, only emergency surgery, so I have had to learn how to manage this disease over 20+ years. I have had 6 attacks, the last 3 in 2016 which took 18 months before the pain finally subsided. Once I learned what foods affect me, eating the sensible way became a way of life, with the odd slip. I eat most foods apart from gluten and high fat, and have lived a normal active sporting life, until my hip gave out. So it can be done, but I do not have any complications.

    As a counterbalance I suggest you read the post started by DanielBenjamin, who has opted for surgery after careful consideration. Also the article by Dr Colin Tidy, the 2nd item on this forum. Please give yourself time to consider everything.

    • linda18628
      linda18628 mjf3814

      Posted

      Thank you. I had 2 types of IV Antibiotics for 3 1/2 days and in my 4th day or oral and still have a lingering pain. I' m so weak from eating my approved diet. I went to the grocery store this morning and got Protein shakes but not sure about trying something new.

    • mjf3814
      mjf3814 linda18628

      Posted

      Hi Linda

      As you will have seen, Sandi and I have been exchanging opinions. I had uncomplicated Diverticulitis which in the UK is treated with diet and lifestyle changes only, and Sandi had complications which required surgery. Without knowing whether or not you have complications it is difficult to advise you. Perhaps you don't actually know yourself - a question for your doctor, particularly as you are concerned about developing them.

      I personally have taken protein shakes, half at a time, but I am not dairy or lactose intolerant. If your Diverticulitis is uncomplicated, 7 days is actually not long for the pain to go. For me it is always a minimum of 4 weeks. If you think about a cut, even after it has closed, there is still redness and tenderness until all the inflammation has gone. It takes time for the internal inflammation to heal as well, and there may be some scarring. And the medication always makes me feel lousy, both when taking it and for a couple of weeks after.

      When you had your previous attack how long did it take for the pain to go? Or have you had recurring pain ever since? Age and genetics are also now thought to be a factor, so how old are you, and do any other family members have it?

      So many people have reported a fear of eating, so that is normal. When you say approved diet, do you mean what I call low fibre bland white pap, like mash, steamed fish, white rice, white bread (no crusts), chicken broth etc. Taking the first step is the hardest - suggest you ask the doctor you will be ready to reintroduce small amounts of soluble fibre. Baby steps introducing new foods - maybe just by one spoonful, then building up. Everyone is different and may need to be treated differently.

      If you don't have complications, and surgery is not recommended, you will feel better with time.

    • linda18628
      linda18628 mjf3814

      Posted

      I'm 55 and live in the US. ER and surgeon said i had a tiny preforation which aloud a small amout of fluid to leak out. I think this could be reason its different this time.

    • mjf3814
      mjf3814 linda18628

      Posted

      Hi Linda

      So you're not in the under 40 age group which apparently has a higher chance of complications developing. But you did have a small perforation. The questions for your surgeon is 1) has or will the perforation heal naturally and 2) is there now an increased chance of further or more serious perforations in the future? This is your 2nd attack and you had been eating sensibly, so your surgeon may think you are someone who will have further attacks anyway. Once you have all this information, it will be your judgement call on surgery. There are some people who think surgery has been wonderful for them, improving their quality of life, and others who have had further issues. Best wishes on your decision.

  • albert_99155
    albert_99155 linda18628

    Posted

    Linda,

    please keep us posted. i am going to private message you. id like to hear more about your situation.

  • sandiishealthy
    sandiishealthy linda18628

    Posted

    Hi Linda, Hope you are starting to feel better. My reply is completely opposite to the first one. I live in Canada and most diver patients with any complications receive the resection surgery. I had mine may 6th this year. I was in the hospital 3 days. I had both open and laparoscopic cuts. I asked the doctor about the disease moving up the colon after surgery and he said unless you have lot of diverticuli further up the colon then no you have nothing to worry about. Which I don't. I had 2 abscesses and 2 other attacks in 18 months. I was never constipated and ate a very clean diet that was gluten and dairy free. It's now thought that it could be genetic in some instances. However to further say, here in Canada complications with this elective surgery are rare. Emergency surgery is different it can be much more serious. I was eating solid food the next day. I feel fantastic. I eat what I want. Recovery was quick and the pain was minimal. Literally I took plain Tylenol for a few days. That was it. Would I do it again? Absolutely. These are the only minor issues I had after surgery: 1. The larger incision had trouble closing but did not get infected. 2. My bowel movements are more hard than before. So I just take psyllium and that fixes that issue. All in all it's been a positive healing journey and I'm a 60 year old female. I would choose surgery over having to be restricted for days, months regarding food. Plus all the antibiotics that just wreck your intestines and never knowing when the next attack is gonna be and how bad it could become. And the pain that comes with this disease. To me it's a no brainer. I got my life back and I'm loving it. Pm me if you have any questions. Take care.

    Ps. They took about 8 inches out of the sigmoid colon.

    • mjf3814
      mjf3814 sandiishealthy

      Posted

      Hi Sandie

      I see you were one of the unfortunate people who had complications, so needed the surgery, which fortunately I did not. Glad it has been a success for you. So we have both provided Linda with views at either end of the spectrum. A lot will depend on how severe and complex Linda's illness is, which only she and her doctors will know. I wasn't sure from her original post whether she had any of the known complications, like your abscesses. I do think the UK has gone too far the other way by only operating in emergencies - as you say, it is then more complicated.

  • amanda35962
    amanda35962 linda18628

    Posted

    Hi Linda I had 5 attacks in 1 year left lower quad hospitalised for a week each time I got the dreaded call yesterday I'm having elected bowel resection on Thursday so I now ur fears. I can't live like this I can't plan anything for fear of attack I had perforated bowel it was small but the pain is different hope this helps u goodluck hope you will be OK 👍

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