Diverticulitis or ??

[Micki*25]

Hello.

I’m trying to do some research on my husbands condition.  He has been hospitalized 3 times since 1999 (including this past week) regarding a colon problem.  His symptoms start with a high fever (102 to 103), chills and severe lower abdominal pain.  A colonoscopy was performed in May 1999 and last week.  Each time, biopsies show infectious colitis.  However, Lower GI xrays (barium) and CAT scans show diverticulitis. According to the gastroentrologist, each colonoscopy has shown inflammation but no diverticulitis.  Our family doctor and the surgeon consulted both say diverticulitis based on all the tests done (white blood counts and SED rates were also elevated) but the gastroentrologist argues this diagnosis.

My question is, can it be diverticulitis based on CAT scan and Lower GI  xrays alone?  Does it have to show up in the colonoscopy?

Each time it is showing infectious colitis.  Our doctor states that its high unusual to get it every few months (this is how often these attacks occur).  No one else in our family has been ill and we have had our water tested also.

No masses or tumors are shown.  There is no blood in the stool.  We are very discouraged.  Are there other tests (excluding exploratory surgery) that can be performed?

If you have any answers or information to pass along, it would be greatly appreciated.  Also, any referring doctor (we are from Michigan, the Detroit area) would also be welcomed.

Thank you for your time.

Michelle Sitek
***@****

[MARY ANN]

i am schedualed for surgery on my colon and diverticulitis can cause you to be very ill at your stomach ,severe pain ,and fever.i would get another opion from another gastro/digestive specialest.your surgeon and dr. seem to be quite sure of the problem. i have this disease they diagnosesed me with severe exstensive diverticulitis disease.and a few doctors in the past kept throwing around ibs syndrome .had i caught it early on i most likley would not be having surgery because i would have changed my diet completly.is your husband having bowel movement problems? because this is also a side affect of diverticulitis disease.if ther are any question i missed fill free to ask .god speed.

[Hillary]

I was hoping to get some advise. Was hospitalized twice in the past two months due to diverticulitis. Had a colonoscopy this week and it showed severe diverticulosis but no inflammation right now. The gastroenterologist said he didnt feel surgery was necessary. HOwever, the surgeon said since the diverticulosis is all over the entire colon, and I have already had 2 severe flare-ups, he wants to remove the colon. I am very upset as you can imagine. I am having a barium enema next week to show the extent of the damage and just how much he would have to remove. I plan on getting a 2nd opinion from a different gastroenterologist, not a surgeon.
Meantime, I am extremely confused about what to eat and what to avoid. Once the 2nd flare-up got better, I switched from a low-residue diet to adding fiber, since I was told that the cause of diverticulitis/osis is lack of fiber.But since I have been adding fiber, I dont feel well, I feel a flare-up coming on. So they tell me to go back to low-residue. I am SO confused and now scared to eat anything at all. Can someone please help??

[Plainoldbrenda]

I was just looking for information for the Diverticulosis/itis club in Yahoo and found this site.  You might find a few answers there from people that have diverticulosis/itis.

I'm 39 and have had diverticulosis for about 6 years.  My first BE showed mild diverticulitis.  The next showed about the same or moderate.  2 years ago I had a colostomy due to fistulas.  When they did they surgery, they found tons of scar tissue, 2 kinks in my colon and near total blockage. I was pretty much housebound for 5 years because of it.  So, I dont have any answers  LOL   I still have lots of the pouches, they just removed the worst part of my colon.

There are varying answers about diet..some things bother one person and not the next.  As much fiber as you can when you are feeling well and the least when you are not seems to be the general rule.

Hope to see you in the club !

Brenda

http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/diverticulosis

[jusjules]

Hi every one i am new to this site. I have a question regarding my Dads condition, he has been very ill these past months he has a severe obstruction of the bowel caused by diverticulitus and they tried to clear it up first with antibiotics. He was on an intravenous drip for nearly 2weeks, they relesed him from hospital about 10 days ago and he seemed to be getting better, but now he is very sick again. His doctor says he will probably neeed surgery but my dad is very set against it, he had an unsucessfull vagotomy about 30 years ago and he is very scared of waking up and having to wear a bag for the rest of his life!  he has always been a very fit and active person and at 70 he was doing great and enjoying life now he only weighs about 135Lbs and is in a lot of pain. He wanted me to find out wether this operation is generally sucsessful and  wether he should go ahead and have this surgery? I would appreciate any advice from any one who may have experience with this type of op.
Thank You
Jusjules