Surgery for recurrent diverticulitis

Posted by lucylukopp3 @lucylukopp3, Feb 18 4:47pm

I'm having recurring diverticulitis.
First episode in May 2023. Treated with Metronidalzol and Cephalexin. Went away. No issues.

REturned in September 2024, hospitalized with absesses. IV antibiotics in hospital 24 hours and then oral antibiotics Augmentin) at home.

In December returned. No absesses. Treated with oral antibiotics (Augmentinn) at home.

In January returned. No absesses. Very mild pain. Treated with oral antibiotics at home. Presently still some odd feelings.-tightness.

I didn't have severe pain with any episode. I was tender to touch and had CT scan each time. I have been dieting and feel constipation has caused the diverticulitis episodes. Trying to figure out magic formula eating enough fiber so I don't become constipated.

I was referred to surgeon. He wants to surgically remove my entire Sigmoid Colon!

Has anyone had their Sigmoid Colon removed? Has anyone been treated with antibiotics for recurring episodes?

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

linda82 | @linda82 | Mar 2 7:57am

In reply to @sandmason "I'm 73 and just cancelled surgery. I had a bad reaction to Cipro, it hit my..." + (show)

Sorry to hear that! That is a side effect.
I also had AMOXICILLIN-CLAV 875-125MG and Mesalamine ER 500 MG for treatment.
I had 4 mths to prepare for surgery and you really need to be in the best health possible.
I was so afraid I would not make it and have another episode and have to start over.

Have they helped on your nutrition? With what we go through that is so hard to have and you lose weight and muscle.

foxj | @foxj | Mar 2 8:37am

In reply to @sandmason "I'm 73 and just cancelled surgery. I had a bad reaction to Cipro, it hit my..." + (show)

I’m so sorry that happened to you. Those antibiotics are tough. I had to take them as well in order to be healthy enough for the surgery because my episodes just kept coming. I lost so much weight because they made me sick, and I too was so fearful they would have to cancel .
I hope it all works out for you. I am 72 and the surgery went well. I’m 6 weeks out now and things are going pretty well. I’m just hoping my digestive system straightens itself out over time. But mostly I just pray I never have another episode of diverticulitis again.
Good luck to you.

saraanne | @saraanne | Mar 2 11:03am

@lucylukopp3 I sympathize with you and hope you do well after your last antibiotic treatment. I’m also facing a surgery recommendation for removal of sigmoid colon. I’m currently 6 weeks after a tapering off prednisone for an autoimmune disease. I’ve had a recent flare and am currently on Augmentin. I’m hoping to keep my sigmoid colon! I want to see if my immune system can come back from the steroid suppression. I’m going to add supplements, herbs, spices and anything else I can think of for gut microbiome and immune function. I already eat a high fiber diet, meditate and exercise. I find these flare up oddly disabling. I don’t seem to want to do much, and the various diets (FODMAP, liquid, low fiber) so dispiriting. I love my food.
I would love to hear from any one who has found things to do themselves to avoid the surgery.

lucylukopp3 | @lucylukopp3 | Mar 2 7:43pm

My second opinion surgeon said no surgery yet. My primary care gave me another round of antibiotics.

I had dieted and lost 30 lbs. No Ozempic or meds, just cut calories and increased exercise. Did everything you're supposed to do. My thanks is constipation and diverticulitis!

Switching to low fiber and gradually increasing to high fiber is tricky. I also would love to hear from others how they avoided surgery.

Good luck to you!

lucylukopp3 | @lucylukopp3 | Mar 2 7:49pm

In reply to @foxj "I’m so sorry that happened to you. Those antibiotics are tough. I had to take them..." + (show)

Thanks. Speedy recovery!

lucylukopp3 | @lucylukopp3 | Mar 2 7:51pm

In reply to @linda82 "Sorry to hear that! That is a side effect. I also had AMOXICILLIN-CLAV 875-125MG and Mesalamine..." + (show)

Wow! Good luck.

My 2nd opnion doc said no surgery yet. Trying to stay positive.

lucylukopp3 | @lucylukopp3 | Mar 2 7:54pm

In reply to @diannesmcneill "What does an episode feel like and where is pain? I do have diverticulosis. I get..." + (show)

I have little pain. Left side-minor . Sometimes feels like a knot in my muscle.

I'm on 2nd round of antibiotics and hoping no surgery.

lucylukopp3 | @lucylukopp3 | Mar 2 7:55pm

In reply to @foxj "I’m so sorry that happened to you. Those antibiotics are tough. I had to take them..." + (show)

Good lluck. I keep praying no surgery

ozwomansky | @ozwomansky | Jun 29 10:33am

In reply to @diannesmcneill "What does an episode feel like and where is pain? I do have diverticulosis. I get..." + (show)

Pain for me ranges from dull and achy (sometimes like cramps) to sharp stabbing pain when urinating or having a bowel movement. It typically runs along the inside raea of my hip crest and from my belly button down into my pelvic region. Sometimes it hurts a little to press on those areas, sometimes it makes me jump up off the table...just depends on how much the infection has progressed before I have been diagnosed. I don't know if this is what you meant by "feels like sitting on something painful", but I get an uncomfortable feeling sometimes, too, when I sit...like right up the middle of my abdomen, starting from my anus. (I know, kinda graphic, but we're adults here talking about adult things)

I often complain of pain around my bladder, as well, so I always get tested for a UTI and an abdominal CT when symptoms of diverticulitis are present. In all my diverticulitis flares, I've never tested positive for UTI. However, the pain around my bladder and when peeing continues and gradually diminishes as the antibiotics for the diverticulitis do their work. In my research, like yours, I've determined that the colon run very closely along the backside of the bladder, and when the inflammation from diverticulitis inflames and swells the colon, it pressed against my bladder, causing irritation to my bladder.

It's a challenge, but I've found a clear liquid diet for a few days, then transitioning to a full liquid diet for 3-5 days while in a flare (and possibly on antibiotics) helps to calm the inflammation and give my colon a rest. After the full liquid diet of 3-5 days, I'll start to introduce low fiber foods into my diet, trying to stay below 15 grams of fiber a day. I've read that it can take up to 6 weeks for the colon to fully heal after a flare up. I've never done a low fiber diet that long, but I'm goin to try to this time....as I had two flares back to back recently. One in late May, then another abut a month later.

I'm happy to share my foods I typically go to for each of these diets. Let me know if you're interested.

cb2003 | @cb2003 | Jun 29 11:47am

In reply to @ozwomansky "Pain for me ranges from dull and achy (sometimes like cramps) to sharp stabbing pain when..." + (show)

@ozwomansky

I'm happy to share my foods I typically go to for each of these diets. Let me know if you're interested.

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Thank you for your description. I have found that when I travel and sit too long without regular exercise or walking I am also at risk so during travel I decrease my food intake and watch what I eat carefully. Hope this helps.

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