Diverticulitis

For reference I am a 38 year old male.  After being unable to have a bowel movement (even after taking an enema) for a few days, coupled with a fever, stomach pains, constipation etc. I went to the ER.  I had high white counts (15,000 I believe was the number) which led the doctors to believe in conjuction with my other symptoms (previoulsy mentioned)that I had an infection.  After spending the night in the ER and having abdominal Xrays as well as a CT scan the diagnosis that came back was Diverticulitis.  I have since been placed on two antibiotics; Cipro and Metronidazole for a 10 day stretch.  I recently followed my ER visit with my regular doctor but questions pop into your head days later and sometimes regular doctors are hard to get a hold of day to day due to workload.

My questions are as follows:

1.) How long is it before the pain completely subsides and you start feeling better (I am on day five of my antibiotic regimen but I have talked to people, including my 41 year old brother, who have had diverticulitis and they say it can take a few weeks to recover - so am I being impatient in saying I am frustrated that after only five days on antibiotics I only feel 60 % better or that somedays I fell like I am progressing then the next I feel like I am slipping backwards ?)

2.) Besides a colonoscopy is the CT scan they did in the ER a good (or next best thing) and accurate way to diagnose this condition (along with of course the urinalalysis, blood work and abdominal X-Rays they performed ? What can and can't be ruled out by a CT scan and is it possible they could actually see the divertular pockets on the CT scan ?

3.) As far as eating they told me to have a liquid diet for the first few days then I could eat easily digestible foods (ie low in fiber) to make things easier on my intestinal tract ?

4.) I have tightness in my abdomen and it felt good soaking in the tub in hot water is heat ok or a heating pad ?  Is the stomach tightness a symptom or is it stress related ?

5.) Last but not least if after the antibiotic regimen if I conitnue to feel well should I follow up with a gastro doctor or should I be doign that now ?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

To answer your questions:
1) The time of recovery can range from patient to patient as well as the severity of disease.  Some recover after a few days, others in a few weeks.

2) Yes, the CT scan is a sensitive test for diverticulitis.  Contrast enema and compression ultrasound are other modalities, but are second line.  A colonoscopy should be performed once the acute infection has passed.

3) Despite what many physicians say, there is little evidence supporting any effect that diet (i.e. nuts, seeds etc.) affects the course of diverticulitis.  This should be discussed with your personal physician.

4) Can't say without evaluation.  However, before attributing it to stress, I would ensure there isn't any other GI disease present.

5) I would ensure followup with your personal physician or GI physician.  If there are any worsening symptoms or questions, the followup should be sooner rather than later.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_b

[PAJ]

Hello , your diagnosis rings a bell , I used to post here years ago, I am a recovered yeast victim

[redman11]

How did you correct your infection  ? And where you originally diagnosed as diverticulitis also ?

[PAJ]

At one point I was handed down a diagnosis of  diverticuliis..It was following an examination with an endoscope, It turned out to be a diagnosis of convenience . My actual years standing doctor baffling illness was a yeast infection