Diverticulitis misdiagnosis?? Need direction from doc

[tomzilla]

Hello... I don't post at all so please forgive. I'll try to be as succinct as possible about a problem I've been having with sharp pain in my lower right abdomen.

Here's a timeline of occurrences.

1. 6 months ago
Had an attack of acute of pain in lower right abdomen. Thought it was a very bad gas cramp. Had to leave a band rehearsal for home. Had to pull over on the highway as the pain was so bad. Drove the rest of the way home doubled over. Pain subsided in about 2 hours. Did not seek medical attention.

2. Dec 15/08
Had an attack of acute pain in lower right abdomen. Pain was so severe I broke a sweat, felt nauseated and was double over unable to stand for about an hour. Pain subsided but I was left with an ache in my side -- a radiating ache down to my grown (my right testical area roughly).  The next day...

3. Dec 16/08
Had an attack of acute pain in lower right abdomen. Pain was exactly as the day before. Thought about an attack I had months prior at band...I remembered that it was the same type of pain. My wife (much wiser than I) insisted that I go to the hospital. I do. They do tests: blood, urine, CT, MRI, X-Rays. They suspect kidney stones. No stones found. The doctor at hospital emerg says the kidney looks somewhat inflamed in CT as though it may have recently been infected or is newly infected. The doctor suggests that I should tell my doctor that the CT also reveals the presence of diverticulae in my left abdomen (which she finds curious and worth nothing though the pain is in my right side).

After a few days, the pain was now just a dull ever-present ache in my lower right abdomen, with a kind of burning ache radiating down to my right groin. The ache was, and is, such that it was uncomfortable to lay on my stomach or to wear a belt or lean over. I went to my doctor (who examined the hospital tests), he suggested I had diverticulitis. He didn't think there was any sign of appendicitis, and the tests didn't reveal kidney stones (no blood in urine). I  was given a course of antibiotics on three different occasions: Cipro, Penicilin, and Sulpha-something-or-other. With each course of antibiotic, the dull ache in my right side did not improve. I also changed my diet at the advice of my doctor.

This weekend...I had a horrible bout of gastroenteritis: vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and of course, my old friend the dull ache in my right abdomen, having never left my side ;-)

I'm frustrated. I don't believe the problem has been solved. I'm worried that I've been misdiagnosed and am feeling a little like I'm lost looking for an answer.

Incidentally, over the past several years, I've also had attacks of pain in the anal area, a sharp intense ache that seems central to that rather sensitive region, but also radiates down to my right foot. I've seen my doctor twice for this in the past two years. My doctor examined my prostate and sent me for blood and urine tests to rule out prostate cancer (I think). He suggested that I was experiencing prostatitis and prescribed antibiotics on those occassions. In two years, I've had a half dozen such attacks of sharp pain in the anal/prostate region. So painful I can't stand still, but certainly can't sit. I have had to leave meetings with people when it has happened. Very embarassing and alarming. I mention this other issue only because the pain seems similar (to me at least).

I'm wondering if a doctor on the forum can suggest something, or see something in this little history that jumps out, or suggest some action. By the way, every day I experience fatigue, feel feverish on occasion, and my wife and colleagues say I appear pale and tired. (dark circles under eyes).

Thanks,

Tomzilla.

[jodi3]

I too, have experienced the same symptoms as boh of you, they assure me it is diverticulitis---I am currently on my 7th day of pain and pain pills. I had forgotton about not taking fiber during an attack. Thank's Tomzilla, your post probably just fixed my problem---I have been sucking down fiber trying to get normal, and in doing so have prolonged my own agony. Thanks....

[tomzilla]

Thanks for your thoughtful comments. I do take it seriously and haven't exactly ruled out diverticulitis. I just thought that after being on antibiotics for so long it would have cleared up. I am changing my diet and drinking more fluid. I've added much flax to my diet (apparently a wonder food for diverticulitis).

Frankly, my doctor doesn't seem to know exactly what it is, or what to do next. I expect my next move will be seeing a gastroenterologist and getting more specific tests to delve deeper into the idea that it is diverticulitis. I have not had a colonoscopy.

I am curious about the pain you describe. Did you feel it first acutely below the rib cage (like it might be a bad gas cramp) then more acutely in that area, then radiating discomfort after the "attack" down to the groin? Or did you only feel it in the groin area?

Just curious. Sounds much like what is happening to me. Same issues with constipation, painful gas (being human is so wonderful ;-) . I was in so much pain that I couldn't stand, broke a sweat, and vomitted. Lasted about an hour as I said.

I'm worried to be sure. Really just want a definitive diagnosis so I can do the right thing and ensure that it doesn't keep happening. My doctor seemed puzzled that I was responding to meds and sent me for a ultrasound last week to rule out kidney stones (again). And, again, just as I knew would be the case, there are no kidney stones.

Thanks again.

Take care.

[50yearsyoung]

I would not rule out diverticulitis or take it lightly. I almost died from it a few years back. I was only 46. I had no idea I had it. My husband kept suggesting I had it because I had some of the same symptoms he was having. He had a colonoscopy and detected a slight case of diverticulitis. He kept telling me to eat more fiber. I would cramp periodically and just about double over a few times. Usually it would pass within 30 minutes or so. Or after I had used the bathroom. I was often constipated or had severe gas pains. Later I realized I became worse when eating salads. Sometimes I didn't feel the pain for months, but usually in my groin area.  My family doctor suggested seeing a gastroentestologist?, but I put it off thinking I had the flu. In hindsight, I wish I had gone to the specialist. About 10 months later I was thrown in the hospital and put at the top of the list for emergency surgery. I had been out of town and started cramping, during the day It got worse, and after a 2 hour drive home I was in severe pain, sweating and finally vomited after passing out. Even with all of these symptoms I did not go to the hospital. I can usually take the pain and thought it would go away. By the next morning, after a night of screaming pains I asked my husband to take me to a clinic. I almost had him call an ambulance because I felt so bad.   The doctor at the clinic wasn't sure what was wrong, but  hooked me up to an IV and morphine and sent me to the hospital. I ended up having a colostomy and wearing a bag for 6 months (due to complications)- no fun at all . I am better now, but if I ever feel intestinal pain I am ready to rush for help. I never want to go through that again.

I recently read that if you are having an attack of diverticulitis that you should not eat fiber, but drink liquids.

I hope you find out soon what is wrong. Have you had a colonoscopy?

I wish you well.

[tomzilla]

Thanks for the guidance. Newbie here.

I'll do that...if anyone has a suggestion, though, who has experienced something similar it may also be helpful.

Thanks.

Tom.

[CalGal]

Tomzilla, if you want suggestions from a doc, you need to post to Dr. Pho on the 'Ask A Doctor' forum. It is a fee-based board.