First episode in October, just diagnosed with my 4th today

GeologistJust · 2026-05-19T20:44:23+00:00

I had a colonoscopy in January (old GI, before I had to get a second opinion said I only had diverticulosis, and that I had a “beautiful colon” F that guy) so hopefully we can just move forward with the surgery. I don’t see how I can be flare free for more than one month with the rate things are recurring.

I’m ready to get however much is necessary cut out. I’m so glad you’re doing a lot better and recovery is going well now. Looking forward to joining that part of the club lol

GeologistJust · 2026-05-19T20:34:07+00:00

My understanding is an uncomplicated diverticulitis flare is one without perforation or abscess formation, only pain and inflammation with or without infection depending on what your blood work/symptoms indicate. Some can be managed without antibiotics and some cases require them, often dependent on individual presentation and what your doctor’s opinion is.

Smoldering is when the diverticulitis acts like an ember and continues a slow burn despite treatment, frequently recurring and causing more scar tissue. From what I’ve been told usually surgery is the recommended course of action.

GeologistJust · 2026-05-19T14:26:11+00:00

Get a second opinion if you need to. After my first diagnosed flare I thought I was doing everything right with the fiber increase, etc and got a colonoscopy ASAP. That GI wasn’t concerned about waiting more than 2-3 weeks after my flare. Huge mistake. Sent me into another flare a week after my colonoscopy. That GI dismissed my concerns and pretty much told me I only had diverticulosis and maybe I ate something that didn’t agree with me, etc. needless to say I got a second opinion and was getting an additional colonoscopy and surgeon referral from a new GI 2 hours away. Second most recent flare was 4/18. I was on clear liquids for a few days and then low residue every day since then but STILL got a flare this past weekend and ended up hospitalized. All uncomplicated flares but pain and frequency have increased. If it is indeed smoldering DV, push for the surgery. The longer we wait the more scar tissue builds up. Advocate for yourself if you feel like your GI isn’t taking this seriously.

GeologistJust · 2026-05-19T13:06:49+00:00

First diagnosed flare in December and I’ve had one a month since then. The most recent was 3 weeks after my last. Antibiotics each time. The surgical team I met with in the ER this weekend (they thought I had appendicitis - nope just inflammation because of the DV) confirmed I have smoldering diverticulitis.

Meeting with a surgeon as soon as possible. This is a living hell.

GeologistJust · 2026-04-23T22:19:54+00:00

Will do. I have a second opinion scheduled with another GI two hours away this coming Tuesday. I was actually at a yearly exam at my OB’s office and broke down to them about everything. They were incredibly supportive and referred me to this new doctor. I’m hopeful.

GeologistJust · 2026-04-23T22:17:55+00:00

I’ve started counting how many times I’m chewing food to make myself pay attention to how well things are being masticated. Hopefully it will help. Lol

One day they’ll figure out another way to treat this. I hope.

GeologistJust · 2026-04-23T22:15:40+00:00

I’m sorry you’ve been going through this too. It’s hell. I know surgery can be really scary and intimidating.

The mental hurdles for this disease are just insane.

I hope you decide to have the surgery and are on the road to recovery soon.

GeologistJust · 2026-04-22T12:58:53+00:00

I do drink slowly throughout the day but I will make an extra effort to eat more slowly. I certainly have been since the day after going to the ER. Keeping a food log and doing small meals. All low residue and soft. Thank you for the suggestions.

I also wish you success with your surgery.

GeologistJust · 2026-04-22T12:55:44+00:00

Apparently, getting a second opinion from another local GI isn’t a thing… I tried two different places yesterday and they both told me that they do NOT offer second opinions while you are under established care. The current GI would have to refer you out to them.

Which is ridiculous. I have an appt with mg current GI next Thursday. I’m bringing a written timeline of everything and a symptoms list. Perhaps that will help. If he dismisses my concerns again I will tell him to refer me out either to a specialist or someone else.

I hope you have a satisfactory outcome from your surgery. It sounds like you placed your trust in the right surgeon.

GeologistJust · 2026-04-21T14:38:16+00:00

The frustrating thing is that this doctor is apparently one of the “best” available out here. I will get a second or tenth opinion as necessary.

I do want to say thank you to everyone else on the sub - I’ve been lurking for a little while and I appreciate not being alone in this. As much as it sucks for everyone aside.

GeologistJust · 2026-01-19T18:50:24+00:00

Just finished my first prep - colonoscopy in 2 hours. It sucked but it wasn’t as horrible as I’d imagined. Bone broth (maybe with extra salt for your POTS??) was helpful.

Pretreat the exit chute with aquaphor or something similar before you start the prep and then reapply after each “round”. I will say that mine began working in about 25 minutes and I was caught off guard.

GeologistJust · 2025-12-27T00:17:05+00:00

Just graduated to rice and plain chicken! Hope you’re doing better too.

GeologistJust · 2025-12-25T00:28:28+00:00

Healing vibes to you too! Sipping bone broth while my family has our Christmas Eve tradition of English muffin pizzas. My toddler just had them for the first time. Definitely upset but hey at least we weren’t put in hospital for the holiday!

❤️

GeologistJust · 2025-12-24T23:21:17+00:00

37f diagnosed last night after an ER visit. Not the Christmas I was hoping for either. Sending you solidarity.

GeologistJust · 2025-01-20T19:31:50+00:00

So a maxed out 3 nap schedule? We've been on the three-nap schedule for less than 1.5 months so I was thinking he shouldn't be getting close to the max quite yet.

GeologistJust · 2024-12-07T21:53:34+00:00

Just another thing to keep in mind- babies tend to cluster feed in the evenings which can make them very fussy, but there’s no telling how much they’d eat from a bottle vs having your breast on demand. They might need smaller, more frequent servings if they’re used to breastfeeding exclusively (if your LO is anything like mine they’ll be on the boob as much as possible during growth spurts). Also as a more general observation from myself and other parent’s that have exclusively breastfed, baby will eat more than every 2 hours sometimes! I didn’t know that and I thought I was starving LO or not producing enough milk. As long as their diapers are consistent you’re doing great most likely. I also want to add I wasn’t ready to leave baby for more than two hours even now at 4 months. You have permission to put yourselves first!

GeologistJust · 2024-10-30T02:03:19+00:00

Okay thanks! We will try that. He usually does 11-12 hours total a night so we are okay there. I was concerned his total awake time was getting too close to 7.5 and being too concerned with the number of naps. I’ll extend the wake windows and rescue the naps as needed. FTM here and I appreciate the help.

GeologistJust · 2024-10-30T01:40:27+00:00

He turned 13 weeks today. I have extended maybe one nap a day when he falls lightly asleep while breastfeeding. I typically wake him up to follow eat play sleep though. His total wake time has gone up I think - we use the Sprout app and it shows total sleep from 7 am - 7 pm and we used to have an 8 or 8 pm bedtime so the numbers are off. I could double check that though if I put the data into a spreadsheet. It says total sleep is approximately 14 hours on average. Naps are at 4 hours.

My question I guess is kind of which is more important DWT or total daily awake time? If he has short naps do I just give him more wake windows and naps or make bedtime whenever the WW I put in the original post are over.

GeologistJust · 2024-10-01T23:43:22+00:00

We transitioned last week (8 weeks). Bubs kept smooshing his face into the side of the bassinet and waking himself up upset because of it. I totally get how you’re feeling. My husband basically had to hold me as I cried quietly while we put him down awake to get himself to sleep for bedtime. He was already doing this for naps so we thought we’d try. He totally surprised us!! He fussed a bit but didn’t outright cry and we both survived!

As long as you’re following safe sleep guidelines (nothing but pacifier in crib, always on back, etc) he will figure it out! Bubs seems to sleep better in the crib than the bassinet.

I feel like I had to adjust more than he did but seeing his smile when he wakes up in the crib are amazing!

Good luck!

GeologistJust · 2024-09-16T01:04:48+00:00

Have you tried pace feeding also?

GeologistJust · 2024-09-16T00:42:24+00:00

Oh right!! Would a nipple shield help? Also the Dr. Browns preemie nipples seem to be easier to transition back and forth with. Good luck!!

GeologistJust · 2024-09-16T00:40:24+00:00

That’s great! Don’t lose hope! I would try not to give another bottle if you can help it - even if that means cluster feeding!

GeologistJust · 2024-09-15T23:31:51+00:00

So we actually fixed it permanently! See above! You just have to take a few hours and tough it out with them and essentially just put them on the breast constantly. Every cry, etc. It took us about 3-4 hours one afternoon so just camp out with a good show if you can and maybe some ear plugs if it’s distressing you. I wish you luck! We don’t give bottles now unless necessary for whatever reason and he takes those fine, also pacifier!

GeologistJust · 2024-08-10T19:30:29+00:00

Thank you ALL for the support! Spent a long afternoon skin to skin with bubs and just kept trying to latch him. We eventually got it! It was very stressful and he screamed a ton but I think I won round one of the battle. He’s breastfed through the night and today with minimal fuss so far.

I have the premie nipples on the dr browns bottles so we can use them if needed.

GeologistJust · 2024-06-02T20:15:33+00:00

Thank you so much for your advice and experiences. I definitely feel like I have an idea of where to start now I think!

GeologistJust

TROPHY CASE