Diverticulitis and now going to have a Sigmoid colon resection

Posted by linda82 @linda82, Jan 16 5:34pm

I have had 4 occurrences this past year treated with antibiotics and Mesalamine ER and now getting ready for surgery. This last occurrence I ended up in the ER and was lucky the abscess was small enough to treat with antibiotics and liquid diet.
I have been on low fiber diet and Mesalamine. The Mesalamine has been great but very hard to find and go form one CVS to another to find stock. (it is not being manufactured right now and insurance will not pay for it) I also to do not want to be on this the rest of my life or until another occurrence when it will be an emergency surgery. Right now all my blood work is great and back to normal and MRI and CT scans have been completed.
I just can't handle another episode of this and will be 60 yrs old this year. I am retired and all episodes happened after vacation and do not want to live in fear of going anywhere! I am in good health and do not take any other meds.
I am curious of others that have gone through this surgery and get helpful insight on what to expect.
Surgery will be in March and will be robotic.
Thanks in advance.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

kathyoung | @kathyoung | Jan 22 12:37am

In reply to @linda82 "Oh no! Did you have the surgery because of diverticulitis? And now is it in a..." + (show)

Yes! I can’t believe I, I was fine for three years. A couple of weeks ago I felt the familiar signs of Diverticulitis
I had a CT last Thursday and that was the diagnosis

I still cannot function normally. Every little thing I’ve tried to eat, soup, even a small cracker sends me to the bathroom. Painful diarrhea. So disappointed,!

I’m taking Amoxiclav as an antibiotic. Not convinced it’s working though. Still lots of pain after three days on it. I have an appointment with my gastroenterologist for a colonoscopy/endoscopy maybe illlesrn something then. Can’t be good anyone else have diverticulitis after colon resection.? Help!

mary95 | @mary95 | Jan 22 10:26am

In reply to @linda82 "So sorry to hear this. Just curious what was your symptoms and issues before surgery with..." + (show)

@linda82

So sorry to hear this.
Just curious what was your symptoms and issues before surgery with your stomach/colon?
Before my ER visit in Nov. I was going to the bathroom all day. It was my 4th attack last year. And was the worse. Inflammation and infection were very high and the CT showed an abscess. I was lucky that it was small enough to not have surgery and just take the antibiotics. Amoxicillin Clay. (14 days)and Mesalamine.

I have been taking the Mesalamine 2xAM and 2 PM and have been a low fiber diet. I have normal BM in the Am only. I have had to take some MiraLAX a couple of days. In the last 2 mths. But, I have been going from CVS to CVS to refill the Mesalamine because it it on back order. I called Sun Pharma the mfg and was told they were to on backorder. Which is another reason I want to go off of it. (it has been the only medicine that has helped) My family Dr. recommended the surgeon and my GI Dr. said I would need the surgery too. That it will only get worse. That is why I decided to get before I have another episode. I am in good health otherwise and do not take any medications beside the Mesalamine. My blood work is back to normal. I am also back to working out 4 times a week with no pain.
I am seeing other people with your after-surgery issues and seeing others that said it was the best thing they did.
This is the hardest decision for me to make.
Have you tried the medical grade probiotics? I take a couple a day. I also stay consistent with food.
I have eliminated so much food too! I can eat steamed carrots that have to be mushy, French green beans and boiled or mash potatoes. That is all the vegetables I can eat right now. I can eat Jasmine rice grilled or baked chicken and some sandwich meat/cheese and saltines.
I too drink a lot of water but, have been adding apple and grape juice with mineral water every day. (no sugar added) I also drink a lot of Camomile, peppermint, green and other herbal teas. There is one that I got on amazon. See attached pic. I also buy ginger pces that help and eat very small meals!

Jump to this post

My symptoms prior to surgery were painful lower abdomen, low fever which caused a hospital stay since the doctors were worried about emergency surgery. Antibiotics (which are so horrible you feel like they can kill you) took care of it. Then another flare up and the same treatment. The doctors were concerned this would continue since I have a rare autoimmune disease and taking infusions too suppress my immune system. So surgery was recommended.

linda82 | @linda82 | Jan 22 7:20pm

In reply to @kathyoung "Yes! I can’t believe I, I was fine for three years. A couple of weeks ago..." + (show)

I took the Amoxiclav for 14 days. On each bad episode and it works. It will tear up your stomach and running to the bathroom is a nightmare. But, it really worked for me.
I also take the Mesalamine every day. You will feel better. I went to normal BM's in the morning only and no BM's during the day. But, I am realizing I can't keep taking the antibiotics on every episode. Make sure you eat your yogurt and take probiotics in between doses.
I was reading the chances of having again are low after surgery. I hate this for you!

shelamac65 | @shelamac65 | Jan 23 1:14pm

I’m definitely interested in hearing about your surger, Cindimae.
Linda, I had a sigmoid colectomy in June of 2022. It was performed laparoscopically and I was out of the hospital in 3 days. Te The worst part is the preparation, just like a colonoscopy, but a bit more thorough since it’s a surgery. The pain was so minimal. But getting your strength back takes awhile. (Especially because I got Covid a couple of weeks later). The best advice I can give is to follow the hospital dietician’s advice and remember to have small meals several times a day to rebuild your strength. After that, you might have some urgency issues and you might need to talk to your gastroenterologist about that. You sound like you’re in great shape and you have a good attitude, you’ll do fine! Good luck!

kathyoung | @kathyoung | Jan 23 3:40pm

In reply to @linda82 "Oh no! Did you have the surgery because of diverticulitis? And now is it in a..." + (show)

Yes. That’s exactly what’s happened. I say that, but to be honest it was just diagnosed in emergency last week, band what the ER doctor said. I’m going to follow up with my gastrointestinal specialist. So disappointing.

kathyoung | @kathyoung | Jan 23 3:43pm

In reply to @linda82 "I took the Amoxiclav for 14 days. On each bad episode and it works. It will..." + (show)

Thank you! I’m on Amoxiclav for 7 days, and you are so right it under on the stomach. I think I’ve finally cleared out the colon with just drinking clear liquids. That alone makes you feel sick!
How long did you stay on clear liquids when you had a flare ?

linda82 | @linda82 | Jan 27 11:14am

In reply to @kathyoung "Thank you! I’m on Amoxiclav for 7 days, and you are so right it under on..." + (show)

YES,
Geez, clear diet and on meds is a nightmare! LOL

2 days. then starting eating very light. banana breakfast and jasmine rice for lunch and 4 white crackers for dinner with small amount of ham and Swiss cheese.

linda82 | @linda82 | Jan 27 11:28am

In reply to @shelamac65 "I’m definitely interested in hearing about your surger, Cindimae. Linda, I had a sigmoid colectomy in..." + (show)

Sorry in late reply. It's been so cold my hubby and I decided to go down to FL a couple days. I can say that on the low fiber diet and the Mesalamine I had a great time. Normal BM in the morning and getting out early and NOT looking for bathrooms all day!
It was great to get away and not worry. Makes me think I do not want the surgery BUT, I know I will have another episode and need to keep attitude good. Every episode you do nothing for weeks while you recover, and you feel so out of shape. I got all my steps in for sure.!
Thank you for your comment and support. I really need to hear more stories of people after surgery and good results.

linda82 | @linda82 | Feb 26 1:47pm

In reply to @cyndimae "Everyone’s comments have been very helpful, thank you! I am having surgery this Monday 1/22/24. A..." + (show)

Hello

Can you update on how your surgery went?

cyndimae | @cyndimae | Feb 26 4:23pm

In reply to @linda82 "Hello Can you update on how your surgery went?" + (show)

Hello! Here's my update: I had surgery 5 weeks ago. It did not go as planned. I came in "healthy" (not acutely ill). My surgery was done robotically. Sometimes "things" don't show up on a CT scan. In my case, my colon was folded over and laying on top of my rectum and wedged into my pelvic cavity. She successfully did the resection and anastomosis but had to, unexpectedly and much to my displeasure, do a temporary ileostomy due to inflammation and letting the colon "rest". My reversal procedure is scheduled for April 16.