Removal of sigmoid colon due to diverticulitis: How to deal with pain?

Posted by sunny1971 @sunny1971, Sep 22, 2020

Hello, i had a "take down" they call it, from removal of sigmoid colon in 2006. I was 49 years old, no cancer, luckily. Surgery went well, I had a wonderful caring surgeon. 10 years later , i started to get a sharp pain in my lower abdomen, where the sigmoid was, it was unbearable , felt like spasms, coming ,and going. Everything i ate had to be fully watched, I am a healthy eater, this pain went on for years, i got cat scans, this scan, that test, nothing. I increased drinking so much water, i could float away. It got so bad, i wrote my surgeon in georgia, and he took the time to call me. stating i have a one way in and a one way out with my food intake. Gas was the major issue, but the pain was enough to go to the ER. it suddenly disappeared for a couple years,
i still cant pinpoint, what it really could be, or when will it return, if it does. I went as far to keep a record of what I ate and drank.
has anyone experienced this kind of excruciating pain??

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Mara | @bandaids | Oct 17, 2020

In reply to @kathyoung "Yup! I’m 69 and you are so right!" + (show)

Hi I'm new to this group and not quite sure how to post a subject and don't want to step on any toes. This site however is driving me some ideas of what can happen after surgery, I'd really like to know if anyone had extreme swelling afterward, I literally have one eye that doesn't open but for a slit, I call myself the bride of Frankenstein but seriously I had my surgery "da Vinci method " I guess fancy word for laparoscopic anyway all went well but I was told I was kept under longer because they wanted to bloating (co2they fill you with to go down) it hasn't I look like a chipmunk that has been in a bar fight my left side is really crackly like Rice Krispies. Has anyone experienced this and if so when or what did you do to help it go down, I had my surgery Thursday the fifteenth of Oct, still in hospital.

kathyoung | @kathyoung | Oct 17, 2020

Hi
I still have the cracking sounds 3 weeks out. I think that’s normal. I also had the laparoscopic procedure. I don’t know about the swelling. What are the doctors saying about that? You mentioned you were still in the hospital.

hlpw65 | @hlpw65 | Apr 5, 2021

In reply to @kathyoung "Hello You mentioned adhesions in your reply. I had the same surgery 2 1/2 weeks ago...." + (show)

Hi I am 10 weeks after I had 18” of my sigmoid colon removed from Diviticlitios. I am too having pain on the right side. Did your pain go away with time? Was curious since we sound the same! Thanks

lynnkeith | @lynnkeith | Sep 20, 2021

I just had my sigmoid colon removed on the 4th of September due to diverticulitis. I'm 55 and have never had a symptom until the day before the emergency surgery. In the past I have had issues with constipation and diarrhea with bloating and cramps but the symptoms would clear up and go away for months at a time. As I have been reading these were probably signs that I had diverticulitis all along and didn't know it, so I never had it checked. On the morning that my husband rushed me to the ER I had such terrible pain I could barely stand up and sitting in the car to the hospital almost made me pass out, we are 45 minute from the nearest hospital. The pain was also different from any other episode I had had and it was my entire stomach area both left and right and it was a deep pain that would not stop. Sitting made me feel as if I would explode. As it turned out I had a perforated gut from the Diverticulitis it was leaking and causing infection. I am home now and healing well. As I had Covid right before this attack I sometimes feel that this may have brought the attack on, any thoughts or information you have on this would be welcome. I have also been told that I need to have Colonoscopy when I have healed. With no history of colon cancer or any other cancer in my family is this really a necessity? Are there less evasive ways to check my guts? I am having an issue with this because I feel it in itself is dangerous, especially if I have to sign a waiver that relieves them of any responsibility if they make a mistake and harm me in the procedure, unless it is absolutely necessary I really don't want it done. What are your thoughts?

nova1976 | @nova1976 | Sep 21, 2021

Colonoscopy is virtually painless and safe and results could possibly save your life
Drs have disclaimer on everything. Go for it

dianecostella | @dianecostella | Sep 21, 2021

In reply to @lynnkeith "I just had my sigmoid colon removed on the 4th of September due to diverticulitis. I'm..." + (show)

I would do it but not wait too long after you get the go ahead. You want to do it before the adhesions and scar tissue build up. I have had plenty of colonoscopies and they have been fine and I don’t have colon cancer in my family

burlguy | @burlguy | May 16, 2022

In reply to @kathyoung "Hello You mentioned adhesions in your reply. I had the same surgery 2 1/2 weeks ago...." + (show)

I had the surgery 4 weeks ago and had the same right side stinging tearing type pain on right side, surgeon told me there are nerves there that affect most people the same so it’s normal and it did go away for me.
It’s definitely a tough surgery but what your feeling is common from what I’m told .

jerussia1 | @jerussia1 | May 17, 2022

In reply to @burlguy "I had the surgery 4 weeks ago and had the same right side stinging tearing type..." + (show)

I had the surgery done last Thursday and yes, the pain after was excruciating. They removed 12 inches of my colon. It didn't have any type of disease. It was just too long for my body. I am feeling better today. Still some pain, soreness and discomfort. I have my follow up appointment tomorrow and my colonoscopy in 4 weeks. I only knew something was wrong because I ended up in the ER with extreme abdominal pain. I had been complaining about constipation and stomach issues for years. I'm glad for the ER visit because finally someone was able to do something for me.

darklighterr | @darklighterr | May 18, 2022

In reply to @jerussia1 "I had the surgery done last Thursday and yes, the pain after was excruciating. They removed..." + (show)

Hello,
Can I ask which part of your colon was removed and where did it hurt? Did you have the pain before the extreme pain episode?
I have a very long transverse colon that is U-shaped, goes down under my belly button that's probably (that's literally the only abnormality docs found..) causing daily pain and excruciating pain attacks for 2 years now; thinking about getting the surgery but afraid it might make things worse :/

gsh | @gsh | May 19, 2022

Have you been told you have diverticular attacks? Is so, and they have been mild I would research other options before surgery. I recently learned about a belly button healing tool. You may want to check it out. Removing part of your intestine comes with other pain and discomfort. The only thing I would say is exhaust any natural/holistic healing first before surgery unless you are in danger of a rupture/abscess situation. I wish you all the best. Blessings