diverticulitis

[luv4child06]

I was diagnosed with Diverticulitis when my first born was two weeks old.  I have been in and out of emergency rooms and gastro offices.  I have had all of the test to confirm the diagnosis.  I was told that colon surgery was the only way to treat this disease.  It makes me sad when I think of all the foods I can no longer enjoy for fear of ending up in another emergency room.  Can anyone give me some insight on this burden and some things I can do to treat it?

[Joan1022]

My husband had diverticulitis for years. He finally had an episode that his stomach got bloated and hard and alot of pain. We went to the hospital and he was sent home they said he had the flu. As it turned out we went to a different hospital and they said he had a ruptured bowel. Apparently the diverticulitis caused a blockage on one side and a weakness on the other side of his bowel and caused it to rupture. Now he has had almost all of his colon removed and is fine except for having the diareah all the time. So if you doc want to do surgry ask him if he's planning on removing you colon an how much of it. The more removed the more diareah cause the colon takes the fluid out of the stool. It's better to have it taken care of rather than have a rupture, then you have a really long haul for recovery. My husband had to wear a bag for 4 months, I think because it ruptured. If you just get some removed I don't think you would have to have the bag. The up side is he can eat anything now cause he has no more diverticulitis. But I would take care of it before it gets that bad.

[luv4child06]

Thank you.  I will look into the surgery soon.

[Jaybay]

Just another suggestion: if you have ANY doubts whatsoever about having the surgery, or even if you don't, please see another doctor for a second opinion.  Yes, it can be a pain to jump through all the hoops to see another doctor, but if you have reservations about surgery, another opinion may do you a world of good, if for nothing else than your mental state.  Good luck!