Diverticulitis

[infowanted]

I had a mild groin pain, mostly while sitting, on and off for about 4 months.  Went to my Family Practice Doctor and he said Lymph node feels fine, could be pain in the inguinal ligament.  X-ray was negative.  Pain came and went for over 8 months.  So I went to a different Family Practice Doctor and she said Lymph node feels fine, maybe it is a Hernia.  She sent me to a Gastroenterologist.  No Hernia.  He sent me to a Physical Medicine Doctor and she couldn't find anything.  Gave me Aleve for the pain.

Now it is over a year later since the symtoms began.  Three weeks ago I get a very tender pain in my lower left abdomen.  Family Doctor cheked it and said I have Diverticulitis and gave antibiotics which got rid of the sharp pain.  Now I have a mild dull pain in the same location along with mild groin pain and a pain over the left hip bone.  She sent me back to the Gastroenterologist for a Flex Sig and he could only go to the first bend in the colon because it was too painful.  He did see one Diverticulosis before he ended.  Now I am scheduled for a CT Scan and a colonoscopy.  It takes about a month to get the procedures.  I asked if I should be worried and he said no just concerned.

Over the past year my stools have been all shapes and sizes.  I haven't seen any blood in the stool. No fever, nausea, etc.  My health has been great otherwise.  I have had very loose and narrow stools since the diverticulitis.  I had a CT Scan 3 years ago for the abdomen-pelvic area for another reason and the report was negative.

Questions:
1.  Could the on and off pain in the groin be related to Diverticular Disease?
2.  The flex sig was done 2 weeks after my Diverticulitis episode.  Why would it hurt so bad?  Could it still be inflammed or infected?
3.  Why would the Gastroenterologist say I should be concerned?  If he was concerned wouldn't he get my CT Scan and Colonsocopy moved up?
4.  Could the pain over the hip bone be related?
5.  What do you think I have?

Thank you in advance.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

To answer your questions:
1) Yes, it is possible that the groin pain may be related to diverticular disease.

2) Yes, the pain from diverticulitis can last up to 4-6 weeks.  Endoscopy isn't normally recommended during an acute flareup.

3) The difference between "worried" and "concerned" would differ between different providers.  Perhaps in this case, "concerned" means getting the tests, "worried" would imply getting them moved up.  Given the recent episode of diverticulitis, waiting a bit before the endoscopy isn't a bad idea.

4) Yes, it is possible the pain is hip related.

5) Tough to say without examining you, but continued symptoms from diverticulitis would be possible.

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.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

[infowanted]

Addition. I do have mucus now in my stool.

[infowanted]

Another addition: I am 46 years old.

[surgeon]

1) Yes, especially if the pain is on the left. But a gastroenterologist isn't the best at diagnosing hernia; a surgeon is.
2) The inflammation from diverticulitis can last many weeks. In fact, I generally wouldn't try a scope for at least 6 weeks.
3) When he said to be concerned but not worried, I'd say he was just saying we always have to pay attention to symtoms until we know what they mean, but in your case it seems pretty likely that what's going on is diverticulitis. Again, unless there's reason to be very suspicious it's something else, for your comfort waiting is a good thing.
4)Yes
5) Diverticulitis

[sweetpotato55]

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