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CT scan and diverticulitis

Posted by pamellaann @pamellaann, 1 day ago

Hi - I am just finishing antibiotics I was prescribed for diverticulitis . I never had a CT to confirm that it was diverticulitis but based on symptoms and bloodwork the Dr thought I had it .
I am scheduled for a CT now because last week I told Dr I wasn’t getting better , over the weekend I improved.
Should I keep the CT scan even though I’m feeling better ?

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Susan, Volunteer Mentor | @grammato3 | 1 day ago

@pamellaann: As one who has had my fair share of diverticulitis flares, I can say that is a good question - one that would be best answered by your provider who ordered the imaging.

I can provide my own personal experiences: In the early stages when I wasn't aware what my symptoms of lower abdominal cramping, low grade fever, difficuly with bowel movements had been due to, I did have CT scans to confirm the diagnosis. I have also had some flares for which I was prescribed treatment (cipro/flagyl - the generally accepted "gold standard" if diet alone didn't provide relief) that improved the infection without need for CT. However, a couple of years ago, when treatment had failed to relieve my symptoms, I did undergo an pelvic/abdominal CT that confirmed ongoing diverticulitis.

When I researched anticipated symptom improvement following antibotic use I learned it usually takes up to 4 days to feel significant improvement, but can take up to a week to see that reflected in normalization of bowel habits. If you're feeling good relief at this point, it's probably a reliable indication that the diverticulitis has subsided, therefore a scan is probably obsolete. However, if your provider wants to be absolutely sure or check for evidence of diverticulosis (pockets in the colon, which can also be detected during a colonoscopy) that would require a discussion with their office.

Glad you're feeling better, though - I know how uncomfortable diverticulitis is! Can you let me know what's decided?

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nycmusic | @nycmusic | 6 hours ago

The response by the volunteer is excellent !

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pamellaann | @pamellaann | 5 hours ago
In reply to @grammato3 "@pamellaann: As one who has had my fair share of diverticulitis flares, I can say that..." + (show)
Profile picture for Susan, Volunteer Mentor @grammato3

@pamellaann: As one who has had my fair share of diverticulitis flares, I can say that is a good question - one that would be best answered by your provider who ordered the imaging.

I can provide my own personal experiences: In the early stages when I wasn't aware what my symptoms of lower abdominal cramping, low grade fever, difficuly with bowel movements had been due to, I did have CT scans to confirm the diagnosis. I have also had some flares for which I was prescribed treatment (cipro/flagyl - the generally accepted "gold standard" if diet alone didn't provide relief) that improved the infection without need for CT. However, a couple of years ago, when treatment had failed to relieve my symptoms, I did undergo an pelvic/abdominal CT that confirmed ongoing diverticulitis.

When I researched anticipated symptom improvement following antibotic use I learned it usually takes up to 4 days to feel significant improvement, but can take up to a week to see that reflected in normalization of bowel habits. If you're feeling good relief at this point, it's probably a reliable indication that the diverticulitis has subsided, therefore a scan is probably obsolete. However, if your provider wants to be absolutely sure or check for evidence of diverticulosis (pockets in the colon, which can also be detected during a colonoscopy) that would require a discussion with their office.

Glad you're feeling better, though - I know how uncomfortable diverticulitis is! Can you let me know what's decided?

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@grammato3
Thanks for your nice reply , I’m glad you’re doing ok , it seems like a precarious condition and for that reason I have decided to go ahead with CT to be sure it’s eradicated.. I still have a little discomfort.
Hopefully it’s the correct choice !
I wish you all the luck in the world as you navigate your situation 💕

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Susan, Volunteer Mentor | @grammato3 | 3 hours ago
In reply to @pamellaann "@grammato3 Thanks for your nice reply , I’m glad you’re doing ok , it seems like..." + (show)
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@grammato3
Thanks for your nice reply , I’m glad you’re doing ok , it seems like a precarious condition and for that reason I have decided to go ahead with CT to be sure it’s eradicated.. I still have a little discomfort.
Hopefully it’s the correct choice !
I wish you all the luck in the world as you navigate your situation 💕

Jump to this post

@pamellaann: That is my motto: "When in doubt, check it out"! You may also find this reassuring: https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/expert-alert-are-ct-scans-safe/
so you needn't worry about any harmful effects about undergoing a CT scan.

I appreciate your good wishes. In complete transparency, when I did have my CT scan for the last bout of diverticulitis, the results yielding an incidental finding that I'd have not otherwise been aware of that did have a huge impact on my health so one never knows of other unexpected outcomes a study may reveal. Can you let me know the outcome of your CT?

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