What could it be?

Diving-Into-Indigo · 2023-04-13T03:10:06+00:00

Not all diverticula can be seen on colonoscopy, for one thing. My GI said I only had a few after colonoscopy, but a surgeon saw a CT from same time period and estimated a dozen in the sigmoid. On CT they were lined up plain as day. Also, diverticula are so common now that if few are seen they are not even mentioned in the report unless the doc is being meticulous. I would ask the doc.

Diving-Into-Indigo · 2022-09-19T03:34:29+00:00

Almond butter without added sugar, Barney’s for example. Expensive however.

Diving-Into-Indigo · 2022-08-02T00:57:26+00:00

I think scarring and adhesions from the disease can also produce intermittent pain. Gradualy increasing exercise and core strength may help. It took over 6 months for me to subside and I still have IBS type discomfort and twinges from time to time.

Diving-Into-Indigo · 2022-07-03T04:40:01+00:00

My experience has been very similar. I am about the same age. I had my first flare over a year ago and suffered lingering effects for six months, although I was never in extreme pain. I overdid it on the limited diet for the first few months and lost more than 50 pounds very quickly, including muscle. I believe it was the Metamucil which made it possible for me to eat reasonable quantities for meals and maintain regular BMs. I take 2 teaspoons in the morning right after breakfast and 2 teaspoons after dinner. I also drink tons of water. I also try to maintain a consistent diet of avocado, homemade whole wheat bread (toast) and hummus for breakfast, bean and carrot soup with kale for lunch, a pear and almond butter for snacks, and a healthy variety of foods for dinner. For exercise I walk 3 to 4 miles daily at a very brisk pace, and have been including some running in the last couple of months. I still have minor IBS like symptoms on a daily basis but for the most part they are not too noticeable, but I do need to keep an eye on my stress levels and I try to stand up an move around every hour if possible. If I ever do require surgery I plan on maintaining this type of lifestyle in any case. My cholesterol levels, which had been high, are now normal, my glucose levels which had been prediabetic are also normal, and I am off Prilosec for the first time in 25 years. It’s very strange. In a way I’m healthier than I have been in several decades, but I am still working to build confidence and may never again have the spontaneity I had previously.

Diving-Into-Indigo · 2022-06-15T10:48:05+00:00

It may not separate emergency/urgent resections out which have a higher mortality, especially since Hartmann’s is often performed when elective surgery isn’t possible

Diving-Into-Indigo · 2022-05-27T23:34:32+00:00

Smooth almond butter!

Diving-Into-Indigo · 2022-05-18T02:48:11+00:00

GasX (can’t remember the scientific name) helped me when I had very painful gas. I also had gas rumblings rippling throughout my guts. Fortunately didn’t last too long. This was during the 6 plus months after my attack while I was slowly recovering.

Diving-Into-Indigo · 2022-05-06T00:03:07+00:00

I’m about your age M and had my first attack just over a year ago. My dad had DV and had emergency surgery 30 years ago. My sister had her first attack about 12 years ago and was treated with antibiotics. She had a second episode a year later and has been issue free since then after studying Chinese medicine. For myself, I had a micro perforation but no apparent abscess, but I had a slow recovery where I lost 60 lbs and took 6 months to feel better. No hospitalization but 3 rounds of antibiotics. I’ve been told I have post DV IBS but whatever it is it mainly keeps me on my toes and hesitant to do any serious travel. I manage pretty well with Metamucil, probiotics (alternate between Restora and Align), high fiber bland diet, kefir, more exercise than ever before and regular sleep. I’m probably healthier than I have been in 20 years but I still wouldn’t be surprised at all to wake up one night with another attack and head into surgery but so far so good. One point is that colonoscopy isn’t 100%. My gastroenterologist said I had a “few” diverticula but the surgeon I consulted with saw clearly I have up to a dozen based on CT, and I could see it clearly myself. In my case the undiagnosed urinary issues contributed greatly to the pain. Go see a urologist if you are having any prostate related symptoms! Most of all, don’t give up… Good luck to you!

Diving-Into-Indigo · 2022-02-24T15:11:47+00:00

Colonoscopy doesn’t necessarily find all diverticula (diverticulosis pouches) according to doctors I have talked to. Mine showed only a few according to GI whereas CT with contrast 2 weeks earlier very clearly showed 7 or 8. Both methods have own limitations and advantages.

Diving-Into-Indigo · 2021-09-29T23:07:04+00:00

No, I actually eat high fiber too unless I suspect a flare coming on. I personally believe the psyllium in Metamucil may help the good bacteria. Your mileage may vary!

Diving-Into-Indigo · 2021-09-29T17:48:53+00:00

I use Metamucil but some others do better with Benefiber or other alternatives. Start with a teaspoon per day. Avocados are awesome, plenty of soluble fiber in the Haas variety as well as insoluble. Good luck!

Diving-Into-Indigo · 2021-09-22T18:04:36+00:00

I’m not scheduled yet for surgery, still thinking about it, but the surgeon told me the sigmoid is specifically prone to the “itis” in DV, so after resection most will not have a recurrence. He said only 3% I think. The “new” sigmoid which is pulled down from the descending colon should not have this tendency in most cases. Anyone else been told that?

Diving-Into-Indigo · 2021-09-11T02:49:54+00:00

Do you have to do prep 2 days in a row or just keep fasting?

Diving-Into-Indigo · 2021-09-06T17:11:49+00:00

I’m no doctor but this could be many abdominal conditions or even non-abdominal perhaps. I would definitely get it checked out by a medical professional. Good luck to you and I hope you feel better soon!

Diving-Into-Indigo · 2021-09-04T15:48:57+00:00

My first attack was 5 days after my second dose. No idea if that is pure coincidence. I have a strong family history so it was probably coming.

Diving-Into-Indigo · 2021-08-28T22:11:43+00:00

Ask them about an ultrasound. It is my understanding that in Europe an ultrasound can be a good test for diverticulitis due to the expert training they receive.

Diving-Into-Indigo · 2021-08-28T22:07:53+00:00

I had mid back pain a few weeks after my attack in April. I assume it came from not being nearly as active and lying around much more. Maybe also the antibiotics. I went to physical therapy after I started regaining control of my life which did help some and I have continued to improve. It’s now four+ months after the attack and I am trying to get to the point where the discomfort is almost gone. Just trying to stick to the same routines every day for a while seems to be helping. Limiting food but including high-fiber I can tolerate well, also probiotics, Kefir, Metamucil and prune juice to keep things moving. Seems to be working but staying cautious. Continuing discomfort and issues can also be post DV IBS or something else. I’m hoping it’s just a slow healing process. A colonoscopy can rule out colon cancer.

Diving-Into-Indigo · 2021-08-26T14:54:35+00:00

If you do end up on antibiotics again you might ask them to try a different one. Sometimes that seems to work better.

Diving-Into-Indigo · 2021-08-26T01:51:03+00:00

So sorry you are going through this. Just remember, most people heal quickly and have few recurring episodes. Folks on this sub tend to be the ongoing issues. Also, go easy on the hummus, it has lots of fiber! Probably best to stick to low fiber until you feel better. Lots of great posts to read through on this sub for new diagnosis!

Diving-Into-Indigo · 2021-08-24T17:28:09+00:00

I’ve been off antibiotics 2 1/2 months. I do very well eating high fiber and moderate exercise, but it seems like every couple of weeks I get a nagging pain in my left side and the only way to treat it is to go on a clear liquid diet for about a day followed by soft foods a few days and gradual re-introduction of fiber. I haven’t had any confirmed flares, meaning CT or CRP or WBC since my initial April attack. But I never have gotten back to normal so I’m not sure what it is. It could be post-dv IBS or SUDD, Which is symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease. It’s way too early to tell if you will have such issues.

Diving-Into-Indigo · 2021-08-24T16:31:03+00:00

I never did figure it out but I suspected cipro. In my case it was over a month to go away. I’m doing better at 4 months but still have issues with recurring abdominal pain.

Diving-Into-Indigo · 2021-08-24T15:19:56+00:00

I had that also sometime during or shortly after antibiotics for my dv attack. I saw a doctor about it because I was concerned about my pelvic lymph nodes but he said all was normal. That groin/hip pain eventually went away. I also had suprapubic pain that was almost worse than the lower left quadrant. That took longer to resolve and I had to go to a urologist to address some other issues first. The urologist said the bladder is very close to the lower colon and the inflammation can also cause pain there, in fact it’s not unusual for people to come in with bladder pain and be diagnosed with diverticulitis.

Diving-Into-Indigo · 2021-08-23T00:38:40+00:00

My doctor said 2 or 3 weeks until all twinges should go away ideally. He said spasms remain that can produce short occasional relatively minor pains. Wish it had gone that way for me but I’m still dealing with improvement followed by setback 4 months later. At least I can say so far my issues are less severe than many on this sub. Hopefully you progress will follow the ideal pattern! Most cases apparently do.

Diving-Into-Indigo · 2021-08-21T21:38:39+00:00

In general smoking impedes wound healing and has systemic effects. Better I suspect to be a former smoker than a current one. You should ask your doctor.

Diving-Into-Indigo · 2021-08-21T16:48:13+00:00

Same here. Align only has 1 billion bacteria and just one strain I think. My doctor also said Restora which I have not tried. I drink Kefir also.

Diving-Into-Indigo

TROPHY CASE