I love Yogi Lavender Stress Free tea! Now able to enjoy a little of my fair trade, organic, freshly ground beans coffee! Probiotics every night...never stopped, maybe just 1st night of episode. I've been doing plant based yogurt...maybe can't add my FlavCity or Truvani protein powder? Perhaps no cocktails this weekend either!😐

Firstly, absolutely not asking for a diagnosis here but more if anyone has had the same symptoms and been diagnosed to see if I should get a second opinion.

Have had bloody stools, constant diarrhea and right side stomach pain with dizziness for 8 months plus. No food triggers, just after all food. No weight loss, if anything I can't lose weight despite trying.

Have had bloods which were relatively normal (slightly high hemoglobin and hemacrit) and a colonoscopy.
The colonoscopy showed diverticula scattered throughout my colon but no signs of inflammation at all.

Saw my GP to discuss the results and she has said I have diverticulitis and to have probiotics and avoid things like tomato seeds.

My question is, I've never had a severe flare like it seems is common for Diverticulitis brought on by seeds etc. It's a constant issue rather than incredibly painful bouts. Everything I've read on Diverticulitis sites and from others experiences suggests I have Diverticulosis which shouldn't cause any symptoms unless it's inflamed or infected, the colonoscopy shows it wasn't so in theory, it doesn't seem to be this causing my symptoms.

The doctor won't do a CT scan with contrast which seems to be the next step as she says the colonoscopy is the gold standard and hasn't at any point done a stool sample.

So my question is, should I get a second opinion? Do my symptoms match yours at all and what testing did you go through to get diagnosed?

My boyfriend takes the burpless fish oil by Nature Made and tolerates them very well

I had my surgery 5 months ago. My quality of life has definitely improved. Last year I had too many visits to the ER, constant pain on my lower left side and constantly felt sick from the strong antibiotics. The surgeon was worried my bowel might perforate and wanted to do the surgery before that happened, so it was an easy decision for me.
The hardest thing to deal with is probably getting my system to be more regular. At first I had to go (BM) at random times all day long. That got somewhat better, but my digestive system is still messed up. I was having issues before surgery as well so not sure how much is surgery related and how much is just me.
The pain was manageable so I didn’t need to take pain pills very long. I was in the hospital for 3 days.
I would say overall that my biggest struggle is knowing what I can eat and what to avoid. The surgeon said I can eat whatever I want but my gut doesn’t agree. For example, a couple of weeks ago I ordered a salad for the first time. It tasted so good. But the next day I had diarrhea all day. This has happened a few other times, especially the day after eating a lot of fruits and vegetables. I need the fiber but I haven’t quite figured out what I can tolerate.
I had robotic surgery so my recovery time was quicker than if they would have had to cut me open. They can never know for sure until they get in there and see the damage. There was a lot of diverticulitis in the portion they removed.
I couldn’t continue living like I was so I know I made the right decision. Now I just have to get my system regulated. I’m hoping my doctor can give me guidance at my next appointment.
I hope this helped. I know others on here have had different experiences so hopefully you’ll get information from them as well.
I’m happy to answer any other questions you might have. Good luck in whatever you decide. I’d love to know how things turn out for you.

Wow, you have been through a lot and it sounds like you need that surgery. In answer to your questions:
I was pleasantly surprised that the pain was not nearly as intense as I feared. Years ago I had an ovary removed(before robotic surgery was a thing) and it was quite painful so I was expecting that kind of pain. It was not anywhere close to that. Robotic surgery is really amazing.
I was in the hospital for 3 days and had bowel movements within a couple days. They don’t let you leave until you do. The first couple of BM’s were mostly blood. Do not be alarmed because that is normal.
I did not have a bag but was warned by my surgeon that it was a possibility though the chances were good that I wouldn’t. I was willing to take the chance because I couldn’t keep going on like I was (ER visits, nasty medication that made me sick, etc.) Also the surgeon warned me that my bowel might perforate which would require emergency surgery and probably a bag so having robotic surgery when you aren’t having a flare up is much better.
I am 6 months out now and have not had a flare up. I am still trying to figure out a diet that works for me as I can have 5 or 6 BM’s a day which is annoying. I talked to my surgeon about this and she suspects I might have IBS so I will be going to a GI to get help with that. The surgeon said we often overlook IBS symptoms when we are dealing with diverticulitis flare ups all the time.
I was 72 when I had my surgery so you are a little younger so don’t let your age worry you.
Yes, my quality of life is definitely better and I do not regret the surgery.Please let me know how you are doing and don’t hesitate to ask any questions. Others in this discussion group have helped me a lot.

Last year I had three bouts of diverticulitis in roughly three months with the third one causing a perforated colon with a large infected abscess pocket. Spent a week in the hospital on IVs only and heavy multiple antibiotics. Ended up with cdiff battling that for 10 months post hospital stay in severe pain, multiple digestive and colorectal physical therapists and ongoing cdiff meds with limited diet or diarrhea would be worse. It took a fecal transplant at Froedtert in Milwaukee to help improve it which was two months ago. Unfortunately I’m back on antibiotics due to an infection and have to take the cdiff meds at the same time praying it doesn’t come back. The surgeon during my hospital stay was going to do surgery and for some reason opted not to. Given the ongoing challenges and chronic pain in that area of the colon a year post abscess I wish he would’ve done it. I did start to see a wellness way doctor and am taking natural supplements which seem to help a bit. I eat non dairy forager yogurt and take probiotics and prebiotics every day. Thankfully I haven’t had a diverticulitis flare up in several months but I still eat a very limited diet. Exercise and walks is a must and yoga or something to manage stress as that can be a trigger too. Maybe a food diary if foods can be contributing. Good luck!

Answers
How many hours where you in surgery?
Not sure total. I think 4. But, they had to stop and have a urologist come in to make sure my ureters were not damaged and had good flow for urine. I know that my surgeon had to spend so much time on clearing scar tissue that another surgeon in the practice that was in room had to help.

1.--When you came out of recovery – How did you feel and where you in pain and what medication was given for pain?
No pain just a little out of it and I was on Ketamine.

#2-- Day #1 in the hospital-- where you sore? Did you hurt? Where you up walking? No on pain. They did have me get up and sit in a chair and walk then go back to bed. They also brought food to eat. I did eat some but, I was scared to.

#3 –where you in the hospital 3days?
My surgery was Mon. morning, and I left Wed by noon. They had me down for 4-5 days. But, I was doing well enough, and I was ready to go. I even took a shower by myself (with nurse present)

#4 When did you have your first Bowel Movement and was it Painful?: Was there blood in the bowel? Do they give you something to make you have a Bowel movement?
No pain, but a lot of blood and bowl. The blood scared me, and I was told that was normal. I did not make any thing for BM

#5-- Day#2 in the hospital--- how were you feeling? Day #3 how where you?
The morning after surgery I did have them remove the ketamine and I stay on Advil, Tylenol and a muscle relaxer. They did remove the catheter soon after. Which meant I could get up more and walk the halls and go to bathroom. They removed the alarms in the afternoon once they felt like I was not a "fall risk" At that point I was having to call a lot to go to the bathroom.

#6 – When you got home from the hospital-- Where you in pain and how did you feel at home?
No pain I stayed on around the clock dosages of Tylenol, Advil and a muscle relaxer for a week. (I had set a remainder on the phn and had a spreadsheet to check off to make sure I did not forget.) The only pain was discomfort on my sides and belly. When in bed I had to stay on my back. If I try to go on my side, it was like a sore stretch. But, I got up a lot and would walk in the yard and sit some in the sun then go back to bed or couch.

#7-- Did they give you a list of food to eat?
No, I was told to eat what I wanted.

#8- Did you take supplements at home?
Yes, I took the supplements that I took before surgery.
What type of food did you eat at home?
I mainly stayed with a lot of liquids. Eggs, toast, bacon. yogurt, banana, etc. small amounts

Do you have a lot of bowel movements each day and does it keep you from going out with the friends and family?
Yes, for the first couple of weeks you will be going a lot. It will take everything to rearrange in there, I guess. I remember when I had my first "normal" BM I was like this is what they were talking about! It takes a while for healing and once you are comfortable it is the mind that interferes with going out with friends and family. I started out with short outings. I also had a lot of fatigue.
Yes, for the first couple of weeks you will be going a lot. It will take a while for everything to rearrange in there, I guess.
Did you where Depends?
I mainly bout those extra-long women's pads for the first month. then went to regular. Ended up giving all that away. I also, bought the bed pad just in case.

Thank You--Thank You--Thank Y-O-U !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My family thanks you and ALL responses from all the wonderful people in this group dealing with Diverticulitis.

This has eased my mind to make a sound decision on this surgery--- still scared, --- have to step out on faith of a mustard seed and Trust God.
- If you or anyone has more input to this matter, I am grateful for all input and replies. I wish you the best and good health.

Thank you for answering my questions. There is Never any TMI with me-- I want to know everything. I can't explain it -- but this robotic colon surgery - well I know they are going to cut out the bad part of the colon and then take my left and right ovary at this point--- In my mind-- this surgery is more likely to effect what I can eat and will have to go BM(daily) before I can go anywhere and I am just concern about afterwards of having the surgery what I (my body ) will go through? Any help with that concern would be helpful---
you know --- after 30 days of your surgery - what were you experiencing and what helped you?
Also as of today- What are you feeling and experiencing?
Thank you again for any TMI you can give--- much appreciated and thankful to know- instead of being in the dark...God Bless

Hello, everyone. I’m about 2-1/2 weeks after beginning a diverticulitis flare-up, 5th day after finishing antibiotics. This is my 3rd time with diverticulitis. Have been gradually getting better—started with liquid diet then gradually adding low-residue foods, lots of water. No fever for about a week. Was very encouraged that we caught this flare early and that I’ll soon be back to a more normal diet and active life.

Today I went out in the car driven by my husband, wanted to do a little low-key shopping. While at the store the lower abdomen started clenching really badly again, felt like diarrhea with possible vomiting. Dear husband got me home quickly to bathroom and rest. Just water and the rest for the last 5 hours. I have an intermittant low fever again, varying between 99.4 and 99.1, but down to normal just now.

Has anyone else relapsed about 5 days after finishing the course of antibiotics? I’m still on the probiotics. I’m thinking of seeing how I do tonight back on the liquid diet and calling the doctor in the morning if I’m not better. Or should I let her know right away?

Thanks for any information or encouragement!