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Diverticulitis
I have had a total of 10 diverticulitis attacks since 2006, of which 7 have been in the last 2 years, and 3 in the last month an a half. I had 10 days of Flagyl and Levaquin beginning March 15, then 10 days beginning April 15, and I'm starting a 14 day dose today. My sed rate was 80 but WBC is normal. Scans in March and April showed mild diverticulitis. Is this normal to continue to have to take these anti biotics? It seems to me that they must not be working for my infection. Could I have something else going on in addition to divertivculitis? I am most likely going to pursue surgery very soon, but must clear up this episode before I can have the surgery. Any suggestions or input is greatlyu appreciated.
Hi there. I have just been discharged from 6 days in hospital for what was diagnosed as diverticulosis and paralytic ileus. I went in with moderate constant pain in left side, nausea. The pain would get severe enough at times to make me ball up and be unable to move and made it difficult to breathe. It became obvious there a problem not resolving on its own Wed before a long holiday weekend, but I couldnt get in to see a doctor. Our ER "doc" should not not be practicing and unless i am taken by force, won't see him again. Having been previously diagnosed with diverticulitis, I knew the first thing they'd do is put me on liquid diet. So I did that on my own for a week. The pain and distention only increased in frequency and intensity.
I hate going to doctors and I despise the way the medical profession has become. That being said, I determined after being examined by my chiro, that I'd better go to MD.
The doc ordered a CT and yes liquid diet, and of course lots of blood work! The drug regimen was fluids, Cipro, Flagyl and Protonix all i.v. (when they could keep a patent venous access!) as well as Zofran and Toradol prn. (The doc says he thought he had ordered to allow for Demerol if Toradol didnt work...about 3 days in..pain hit and when Toradol didnt work, they just let me ball up again and cry in pain for almost 2 hrs!) I have some other health concerns such as seizures, MuscularDystrophy, Spinal Stenosis, etc. The meds I must regularly take for these other things have contraindications for both Cipro and Flagyl. After weighing the benefits and risks, I accepted all of the meds.
The severe pain is gone (x3 days now) but I'm still battling diarrhea. I have horrible veins and no longer had venous access. We had gone through 4 patent lines and more than 30 other attempts to start an i.v. These meds especially the Cipro are very hard on veins. The next option was to do a surgically placed central line...which I've had in the past.
At any rate, the MD sent me home on another week of oral Cipro and Flagyl...and liquid diet. I just feel like it's overkill! Without that one area of pain resolved and still having diarrhea and gurgling, I'm wondering if there is an additional issue or something else all together. Im gonna go get records from hospital when I can muster physical stamina to walk back into hospital and perhaps get a second "unaffiliated" opinion.
Sorry to be so long and detailed, just would like to know your thoughts. Thanks
I hate going to doctors and I despise the way the medical profession has become. That being said, I determined after being examined by my chiro, that I'd better go to MD.
The doc ordered a CT and yes liquid diet, and of course lots of blood work! The drug regimen was fluids, Cipro, Flagyl and Protonix all i.v. (when they could keep a patent venous access!) as well as Zofran and Toradol prn. (The doc says he thought he had ordered to allow for Demerol if Toradol didnt work...about 3 days in..pain hit and when Toradol didnt work, they just let me ball up again and cry in pain for almost 2 hrs!) I have some other health concerns such as seizures, MuscularDystrophy, Spinal Stenosis, etc. The meds I must regularly take for these other things have contraindications for both Cipro and Flagyl. After weighing the benefits and risks, I accepted all of the meds.
The severe pain is gone (x3 days now) but I'm still battling diarrhea. I have horrible veins and no longer had venous access. We had gone through 4 patent lines and more than 30 other attempts to start an i.v. These meds especially the Cipro are very hard on veins. The next option was to do a surgically placed central line...which I've had in the past.
At any rate, the MD sent me home on another week of oral Cipro and Flagyl...and liquid diet. I just feel like it's overkill! Without that one area of pain resolved and still having diarrhea and gurgling, I'm wondering if there is an additional issue or something else all together. Im gonna go get records from hospital when I can muster physical stamina to walk back into hospital and perhaps get a second "unaffiliated" opinion.
Sorry to be so long and detailed, just would like to know your thoughts. Thanks
Thanks for the response. My diverticulitis is in the colon. My first attach was in 2007 and I have had a total of 10 attacks, uncomplicated, since then with only one hospitalization. I have had years with no episodes and then all of sudden, 3 episodes in a row within just a span of a few months. I don't know why I can go years with nothing and then months with recurrent attacks.
I'm concerned that you are still having pain. Usually, after a few days on the antibiotics the pain is gone or nearly gone. If you're still having pain, that warrants a trip back to the hospital. I hope you get some relief soon.
I also have been diagnosed with gastroparesis which is a real dilemma as gastroparesis calls for low fiber diet and diverticular disease call for high fiber. Talk about confused. I'm being retested for gastroparesis just to confirm that I actually have that disease which I hope I don't because the meds for that are not anything nice.
I've heard that bone broth is excellent for restoring healthy flora to the gut following a bout of diverticulitis and antibiotics. I have never tried it before but now I am so desperate. I'm sure I will be having surgery soon. I'm having a repeat upper scope and colonoscopy on June 11 and will schedule surgery after that. Just can't take a chance of getting an abscess or perforation. I have been terribly sick with these last 3 bouts and don't want to go through this again.
I don't know how old you are. Perhaps once they get you fixed up, you will be fine for the rest of your life. Many people only have one episode. I hope that will be you.
I'm concerned that you are still having pain. Usually, after a few days on the antibiotics the pain is gone or nearly gone. If you're still having pain, that warrants a trip back to the hospital. I hope you get some relief soon.
I also have been diagnosed with gastroparesis which is a real dilemma as gastroparesis calls for low fiber diet and diverticular disease call for high fiber. Talk about confused. I'm being retested for gastroparesis just to confirm that I actually have that disease which I hope I don't because the meds for that are not anything nice.
I've heard that bone broth is excellent for restoring healthy flora to the gut following a bout of diverticulitis and antibiotics. I have never tried it before but now I am so desperate. I'm sure I will be having surgery soon. I'm having a repeat upper scope and colonoscopy on June 11 and will schedule surgery after that. Just can't take a chance of getting an abscess or perforation. I have been terribly sick with these last 3 bouts and don't want to go through this again.
I don't know how old you are. Perhaps once they get you fixed up, you will be fine for the rest of your life. Many people only have one episode. I hope that will be you.
I was given SMZ TMP DS adn that has caused me bad stomach cramps,and other body aches ..so do some research on bad drugs
Whoah, there isn't a lot of information on this is there?
I was just diagnosed with a possible jejunal diverticulitis. CT scans showed a mass that is somehow different than what the surgeons and radiologists here are used to seeing but they think is diverticulitis.
I have more or less all the questions you have.
I'm not sure if your issue is in the colon or up near the small intestine, (where mine is) but I'm looking to learn from people who have healed or cleared up before to ensure I am doing all I can.
A 3rd CT scan showed a reduction in the "mass" (the second scan showed it growing worse after 3 days) after 7 days on IV Flagyl and Cipro with a lowering of WBC and fever.
I'm now home with 10 days of oral antibiotics and the pain is certainly still present.
The location of the mass at the base of my small intestine makes it possible to view only laparoscopically, so I need to be prepared for surgery when I go in.
Any suggestions and input for best course of action is certainly welcome.
I'm trying to work on the right diet and found an excellent italian egg drop soup recipe that seems to be treating me well. otherwise :?
I was just diagnosed with a possible jejunal diverticulitis. CT scans showed a mass that is somehow different than what the surgeons and radiologists here are used to seeing but they think is diverticulitis.
I have more or less all the questions you have.
I'm not sure if your issue is in the colon or up near the small intestine, (where mine is) but I'm looking to learn from people who have healed or cleared up before to ensure I am doing all I can.
A 3rd CT scan showed a reduction in the "mass" (the second scan showed it growing worse after 3 days) after 7 days on IV Flagyl and Cipro with a lowering of WBC and fever.
I'm now home with 10 days of oral antibiotics and the pain is certainly still present.
The location of the mass at the base of my small intestine makes it possible to view only laparoscopically, so I need to be prepared for surgery when I go in.
Any suggestions and input for best course of action is certainly welcome.
I'm trying to work on the right diet and found an excellent italian egg drop soup recipe that seems to be treating me well. otherwise :?
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