Diverticulitis - looking for info

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.

Hi, Thank you for answering my questions/concerns.

I would like for you to tell me what did Ketamine do for you while in hospital-- they gave you Ketamine for what reason and to do what for you?

Also what is the name of the specific supplement that you took? is it over the counter or a prescription?

You did a GREAT job answering my questions / concerns-- You are a wonderful & caring person. Thank you, again and Good Health!

I am currently being treated for my 3rd episode of diverticulitis, only 8 months from my last episode.
Someone told me that he was plagued with it too but was told to try odorless garlic soft gels every day. He said it has really worked for him. Has anyone else had success with this?

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

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

I am currently being treated for my 3rd episode of diverticulitis, only 8 months from my last episode.
Someone told me that he was plagued with it too but was told to try odorless garlic soft gels every day. He said it has really worked for him. Has anyone else had success with this?

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!

With you having your ovaries removed at the same time I cannot give any information on that, and you may want to find what other say on this in this site.
After a mth. you will have accidents that you may not feel. I was tired a lot. My husband drove everywhere, and I always had a pillow on my belly. Just made me feel more comfortable.
All I can say is eat very small meals and you may have to make yourself eat. I would forget to eat and had no hungry pains. If your Dr. tells you to start exercising, make sure your do a lot of slow stretching and walk a lot! Every time you eat YOU MUST WALK and do not forget your fluids.

@laughterhelps - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I wanted to let you know I moved your post here so you could connect with even more people talking about diverticulitis. Please meet @jpritch2 @musicflowers4u @lily2023 @neenee @oceanone and @hopeful33250. Hoping they will have some insights on how soon to get your doctor involved and also some encouragement for you.

A third time with a flare sounds rough. Relapsing 5 days after finishing antibiotics would be discouraging to me. So glad your husband was with you to take care of you when you felt so bad today.

I like your thought about letting your doctor know soon that things are regressing. Did you end up calling or messaging today? Did your doctor mention the possibility you might need more beyond the antibiotic to get well?

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!