Only 31 yrs. old - Surgery for Diverticulitis

[morgan]

I'm a 31 yr.old women diagnosed with diffuse diverticulosis.  I went to emergency four months ago w/ severe right side pain and low fever.  Almost lost my gallbladder but had a wonderful surgeon who insisted on many tests.  After five days in hospital the diverticulosis was discovered.  What a relief after six yrs. of mild to severe pain.  I lost my appendix in "99"and it is now believed to have been diverticulitis.  Because of my age and the affected area no one suspected this disease.  I am having surgery in June to remove 18in. of my upper colin.  My surgeon wants to remove part of the lower portion as precuation because there is so much of the diverticulum in that area.  I have never had an infection on the left side just mild discomfort.  My objection to doing both areas is that it will leave me with dihareah for the rest of my life.  I am an active 31yr. young women with three young kids and do not want to live the rest of my life with that.  I have asked just to remove the 18in. for now. Has anyone been faced with this, is it necessary to remove the lower section as well?  I want to make the right decision for my health and well being. Any suggestions?

[Emek]

You are awfully young to be having diverticulitis.  I am 37 and just got out of the hospital after my first attack of it. I am to have a colonoscopy later on when my colon calms down and they can detect how extensive the diverticulae are.  It is mainly on my left side.  I don't know if I could live with having diarrhea the rest of my life either as I'm having a pretty hard time with it for the last 7 days.  Can they take the 18in. out now and then can you opt to remove the other area later?
I know the doctor told me because I am so young, the chances of a recurrence are a lot greater even if I'm doing everything I'm supposed to be but if your left side isn't a problem would it be possible to control that with diet?

[morgan]

You must be the hundredth person to tell me how young I am for this.  I'm sure you will here it a few times too.  I hope that you are feeling better.  Thanks for your comment.  I have decided to hold off on the left side.  If I start getting infections I will consider surgery on that side then.  I am hoping to control this with a much better diet.  My Dr. seems to believe this is more than lacking fiber in the diet, she feels there must be a defect maybe in the muscles surrounding  my intestines or the intestines themselves.  Has your dr. given you any great insights as to why at such a young age?  Have you had problems with this before?  Are you going the sugery route? Good luck.

[Emek]

MY BIRTH MOTHER (I'M ADOPTED) I FOUND OUT HAS DIVERTICULOSIS AND SO DOES MY GRANDMOTHER.  WHILE NEITHER OF THEM HAVE HAD DIVERTICULITIS, MY DOCTOR BELIEVES I MAY HAVE A PREDISPOSITION TO DIVERTICULAE.  I WAS ALWAYS A PICKY EATER AS A KID AND AS AN ADULT HAVE NOT CHANGED MUCH ALONG THOSE LONGS, THEREFORE MY DIET HAS NOT ALWAYS BEEN THE GREATEST.  IF I HAD KNOWN ABOUT THE FAMILY HISTORY I MAY HAVE CHOSEN A DIFFERENT PATH, BUT HINDSIGHT IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN FORESIGHT, I'M AFRAID. I HAVE HAD THE PAIN BEFORE BUT DOCTORS ALWAYS TOLD ME IT WAS GAS OR A VIRUS.  A SIGMOIDOSCOPY A FEW YEARS BACK REVEALED NOTHING, BUT MY DOCTOR NOW BELIEVES THEY DIDN'T GO UP FAR ENOUGH.
I AM HAVING A COLONOSCOPY IN MID JULY.  WITH THOSE RESULTS, I WILL HAVE A BETTER IDEA OF WHAT I'M UP AGAINST AND WHAT OPTIONS TO TAKE.
I'M GLAD YOU OPTED TO WAIT ON THE LEFT SIDE. WHY FIX WHAT ISN'T BROKE, I BELIEVE. BUT MY DOCTOR SAID, THAT BECAUSE OF MY AGE, THERE IS A 50% CHANCE OF ME HAVING ANOTHER ATTACK EVEN IF I'M DOING EVERYTHING I'M SUPPOSED TO.
DID YOUR DOCTOR TELL YOU ABOUT NUTS, SEEDS, ETC AND AVOIDING THEM? I'VE HEARD SO MANY CONFLICTING STORIES REGARDING THIS, I'M NOT SURE WHO TO BELIEVE OR TO JUST TRY IT ON MYSELF TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.  NOT THAT I'M A BIG NUTS EATER BUT I LOVE POPCORN AND SUNFLOWER SEEDS.
WHEN ARE YOU HAVING SURGERY ON THE RIGHT SIDE? GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALSO.