Diverticulitis flareup, smoldering divert., narrowed sigmoid colon?
What I currently have going on is different and a mystery, so I'm interested if anyone has similar experiences. Seems it could be:
1) A Diverticulitis Flareup
2) Smoldering Diverticulitis (still not sure officially what that is) or
3) A narrowed sigmoid colon caused by repeated flareups (10-11 in 10 years).
My surgeon has decided it’s #3. It started 24Nov2025, 24 days before my now canceled sigmoid colectomy scheduled for 17Dec2025; Since 24Nov2025, 21 days, I’ve had:
A) 4 to 48 hour periods of low to medium diverticulitis-like aches in my usual lower-left-quadrant spot; mostly just when food or gas is or has recently processed through that spot.
B) No fever, chills or sensitivity to pressing on the area
C) No high white blood cell or other infection identifying lab results (blood draws last 3 days).
D) No inflammation showing on 2 CT scans (3Dec and 12Dec2025)
E) Bowel movements 10 of the last 14 and the last 6 days straight. (On Mirilax+softeners most days).
F) Similar 4 to 48 hour periods of feeling almost normal to completely normal.
G) An antibiotic shot then 10 days of Augmentin ending 8Dec2025 based solely on symptoms at the time.
H) IV antibiotics the last 2 days while hospitalized and monitoring diet and results (no change)
I) Low-Residue diet most of the 21 days, clear liquid for 2, IV for 1, full liquid for 1, and low-residue tonight as I transition home tomorrow.
The decision is that it isn't infected based on A through D above so it isn’t 1) or 2) above because if it’s diverticulitis it is infected by definition (IF “Smoldering” is defined as diverticulitis/infection). We’re moving forward with surgery on 7Jan2025, 23 days and a wakeup from tonight. I’ll be on low-residue diet and mirilax until surgery. She normally wants 6 weeks symptom free if possible, but it is what it is.
Anyone had this type of issue? I’ve only had flareups that feel like this for a couple days but then fever and pain spike, a CT scan confirms it, I get on antibiotics, and 10-14 days I’m back to normal. This one is weird for me.
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@bc321 thank you for sharing! I need positive stories.
I am wondering too what causes these flares I keep getting..this one when I got a back fracture at L4 which is directly opposite in the front at my lower sigmoid..Could this be related or a causing factor? Muscles pulling and sore..Maybe really not a flare up but just pulling my colon and making it very sore???Really interferring with my life...................................
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1 Reaction@mtpeony
A lot of what I'm reading on this topic sounds Very Similar to what I've been dealing with for the past 10 months. When I went to my Internet, she referred me to a Vascular Surgeon, who referred me to a Gastroenterologist. He referred me to a Hematologist, who referred me to a Cardiologist ... & I Know there was another specialist in there somewhere! (I kinda feel like a football getting 'kicked @ around). 11 months later & still No Firm diagnosis. I feel like I've been on a Medical Merry-go-round ... poked & Prodded ... X-ray'd, Cat-Scanned, M.R.I.'d. Sonograms, YOU NAME IT! "Looks Like ..." & Quite Possibly it's ... But ..."
Whatever it is, we're Not Alone. Personally I Have to Wonder if there might be a connection to receiving a COVID vaccine 5 years ago ... The Only other thought is ... Is This A Reward to living 88 Years, the body's just beginning to wear out?
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2 Reactions@help123 Hi can you share your tips or what Facebook group you follow/post
@lizesquire I have posted a lot of information and products on the FB group "Diverticulitis and Sigmoid Colectomy Surgery Discussions". You can join it and search the group for my name to see it all. It goes from pre-surgery through post surgery.