pondwoman

[pondwoman]

One year ago I had a sigmoid colectomy due to diverticulitis and adhesions.  I also had an acute perforation and acute peritonitis.  Although my recovery was not an easy one, for the past few months, I have been doing fine. Bowels have still remained much like IBS- with diarrhea and alternating constipation.  BUT, 4 days ago, I began having acute pain in the LLQ again.  This time, no nausea, or diarrhea.  Immediately went on clear liquids to rest my colon.  Could not get in to see my gastro. doc, but did see my family doc yesterday. (Whom I work for and am his nurse).  I am so distressed, and at a loss.  My doctor said as long as I was able to hold down the liquids, and could manage the pain, that I at this point didn't need to be hospitalized.  CBC and Sed rate were normal. He believes that I have a partial obstruction/ twisted bowel.  I am not on any meds, other than Diovan.  I really reluctant to take anything for the pain, for fear of slowing down peristalosis. I have had SIX CT scans over the past few years, so we really don't want to go there again.  He did mention having just an x-ray to check gas patterns.  I do have good bowel sounds.  After 4 days of clear liquids, I was hoping the pain would subside, and it has some, but is still there.  Any advice would be appreciated.  I know if it gets worse, that I will need to be hospitalized and have IV's, but I am really trying to avoid that. AND SURGERY. One footnote-even with the perforation and peritonitis, I never had a fever or abnormal labs.  Go figure!  Thank-you so much for your time, and reading this lengthy message.  Is this a common thing to happen a year after surgery?

[patient915]

Welcome to the gastroenterology community!  No this is not a common thing to happen after surgery and I am sorry you are having to go through this.  With good bowel sounds, it is unlikely that you have an obstruction.  However, with a sudden new pain, it is likely that something is going on.  I agree with your doctor that you don't need to be hospitalized at this point, but I would recommend trying to get in to see a gastroenterologist soon to determine what is going on.

[pondwoman]

Well, I just got out of the hospital.  CT scan shows acute diverticulitis with a thickening/mass in the colon wall.  Had a jump start of IV antibiotics while hospitalized, and now home on oral antibiotics.  I am very atypical apparently.  I have never run a fever,and still had normal labsl and this held true again.  I am so disheartened that this is happening again.  I will be following up with my surgeon for a consult, and probably for a colonoscopy to R/O anything else going on. Thank-you for your response.  I just don't get this, and either does my doctor..  Thank-you for responding.  

[Sarsi]

I understand your frustration.....while I do not have similar issues as you (I have sphincter of oddi dysfunction which is a biliary issue) I know all about the "normal" tests.

All of my tests, ct's, mri, endescope, EUS, etc etc show normal.....and yet, here I am still in agony daily.......

I hope that you can get the colonoscopy quickly and can get some relief! It is not fun to live in pain.

I hope that you have a wonderful and pain free Christmas.

Sarsi

[pondwoman]

  Hi Sarsi, Oh, wow, I am so sorry for you. But, thank-you so much for your kind words.  Let's hope for a better New Year and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Pondwoman (who feels more like pond scum)  Gotta keep a sense of humor!

[pondwoman]

Ok, questions for you.  From the get-go, I have gotten mixed advice on diet when dealing with diverticulitis.  I do know what to eat (clear liquids) when I am in the midst of an episode, and then gradually advance to full liquids, soft foods, and then when healed, high fiber diet.  What is not clear to me is this.  I have had several docs tell me that I could eat anything I want as long as it was high fiber.  When asked about the "seeds and nuts" to avoid, I have been told that that is not an issue, and "old school" thinking. And because I had a colectomy, that I basically should not be concerned with it. I LOVE popcorn, raspberries, strawberries, but do no have any of those types of things consistenly.  But, I have certainly not omitted them. Now I am thinking that I definitely need to re-address this and perhaps change my eating habits again. What is the latest research/line of thinking for  diet plans for people with my problems?  I am willing to do anything to avoid another acute attack!!

[CalGal]

Pondwoman, try entering this title into a search engine and reading the article that pops up: Consumer Reports: Surgery may not be needed for recurrent diverticulitis.

As the article states, there have been some studies using the mesalamine/antibiotic approach and it seems to work very well for some.

[pondwoman]

Thank-you, CalGal, will do that!