Smoldering diverticulitis -how to understand it-what and when to act

Posted by flgbe @flgbe, Jun 12, 2025

smoldering diverticulitis is a term I just learned after maybe suffering with it form almost 3 years. I did not get diagnosed with diverticulitis util Jan 2025 after getting a CT scan and then it showed the finding. But for a few years before that I had mostly same symptoms I think. I knew I had diverticulosis for a few years but also had chronic life stealing belly cramps, pains, bloat and was without any real relief for 2 plus years every day. Tried diet every way best I could but not help.
First G.I. doc sent me to surgeon for Gallbladder maybe remove but this later proved to not be problem.
My story is long but just wanted to start a conversation to get others input on thier exeperience. I have appts at Mayo Rochester soon and hope they can figure out what to do. Maybe cut out bad areas of intestine but maybe not. So glad I can go see Mayo to get best help, I should learn much about if and when to do surgery or wait and maybe other help might be better now. Please share anything you know about reccurent flare ups of diverticulitis and how to best live with it the best or when to take actions and what to do that has and has not worked for you.
I plan to share my experience with what I learn from Mayo about my case and I know many are so different but I think the more I know the better I am able to make choices but I also know maybe I am wrong about that, I hope not....

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I believe I might have smouldering diverticulitis. Has anybody been diagnosed with this? I have had two episodes if complicated diverticulitis. First on New Years with micro perforations and an abcess. Recovery was pretty easy. Second episode was on court of July and retired microperforations. This recovery has stalled. I can't get to regular bowl movements. Seems like not enough fiber or too much. At one point after no BM for 5 days I used magnesium citrate which cleaned me out. Taking magnesium glycinate as a mild laxative. Got that from some website. Basically I am backed up in the morning. I do some walking and hip movements to be able to have a BM. Not forced but trying to get movement to assist. Seems like my bowels are not working like they should. Maybe there is a constriction or an infection I am not aware of. Any experiences or advice?

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Profile picture for russellcardozo @russellcardozo

I believe I might have smouldering diverticulitis. Has anybody been diagnosed with this? I have had two episodes if complicated diverticulitis. First on New Years with micro perforations and an abcess. Recovery was pretty easy. Second episode was on court of July and retired microperforations. This recovery has stalled. I can't get to regular bowl movements. Seems like not enough fiber or too much. At one point after no BM for 5 days I used magnesium citrate which cleaned me out. Taking magnesium glycinate as a mild laxative. Got that from some website. Basically I am backed up in the morning. I do some walking and hip movements to be able to have a BM. Not forced but trying to get movement to assist. Seems like my bowels are not working like they should. Maybe there is a constriction or an infection I am not aware of. Any experiences or advice?

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@russellcardozo
Sounds frustrating. I take a daily dose of Mirolax, it is a different kind of laxative and works with the body, keep your fluid intake up, find out which dose works for you and then do it every day, it is not habit forming, and my Doc okayed the everyday thing.

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Profile picture for elaineinmontana60 @elaineinmontana60

@russellcardozo
Sounds frustrating. I take a daily dose of Mirolax, it is a different kind of laxative and works with the body, keep your fluid intake up, find out which dose works for you and then do it every day, it is not habit forming, and my Doc okayed the everyday thing.

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@elaineinmontana60
Thanks. Just trying to see what works.

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