Living with diverticulitis: How do I keep it from coming back?

Yes, radical surgery has been considered. However, the abscess was drained and three CT Scans later the surgeon has decided to wait. He is hoping I will get away with this, meaning that it doesn’t return.
Being left ‘up in the air’, so to speak means that I worry a lot about the abscess returning.

When you are diagnosed with Diverticulitis, I was always told to go on liquids only...no solid foods for a few days and to gradually add very easy to digest foods back in to your diet as tolerated. Some Doctors say you DON'T have to avoid foods such as nuts, popcorn, corn or other similar foods and some will tell you to AVOID them.
For me, I feel better if I avoid those foods. You should also be on Antbiotics as prescribed by your Doctor for a couple of weeks. You should ALWAYS drink plenty of water both during and after the infection clears. This is so important. About 8 to 9 8oz cups a day. This should become a normal water intake for you.

Sometimes if you wait to have surgery, you give your body time to heal. The surgery is less likely to require an ostomy bag and not as difficult.
I waited 8 weeks

Serious infection could lead to death I would think.

@maxine50

I can only guess at why the CT scan is necessary. I do know that each diagnostic test is used to track certain problems. MRIs are good to detect some things and CT scans are better to detect other things.

I'm going to tag another mentor, @astaingegerdm, as she has had a lot of gastro problems and she might have some more insight as to why the doctor is asking for a CT now.

Did you ask your doctor why the CT?

@hopeful33250 @maxine50
Teresa, thank you for inviting me into this very interesting discussion. I was told after my last colonoscopy that I have diverticulosis. Another worry.
To my knowledge a CT scan of abdomen is more useful when looking at the bowel- kind of gives a 3 dimensional picture.
MRI and CT can complement each other.
In my own experience at Mayo Clinic I would have both at the same visit.

I had a CT about 3 months ago, now after getting MRI, the doctor wants me to get a CT scan. I am going to light up as my pocket book gets lighter. Do I need to do all this?

If the doctor wants another CT now he probably wants to compare findings
I also have the feeling I’ll glow in the dark with all these Ct scans.
Also remember- these tests go through an approval process at the insurance company. If they don’t find it’s necessary they will not approve it.

@marionclark I went through a similar colon abscess/diverticulitis in October, 2022, which resulted in a colon resection of the sigmoid colon. The abscess burst, perforating the colon causing "free particals" to enter my abdomen. I had diarrhea symptoms prior, but no pain, so not knowing of the infection raging in my body, I had a total hip replacement done in late September. 48 hours later, my colon ruptured and was in the emergency room. I could not have emergency colon surgery because of the just completed hip replacement....fear of infection in newly inserted hip, I had to wait ten weeks for my colon resection surgery. During the ten weeks I was on 1600 mg of augmentin daily and was very anxious that another abscess would occur. My diet was low fiber, which is gentle on the digestive system. I took 1.5 teaspoon of Metamucil daily, which kept my stools just the right firmess. I made it through the ten weeks, had the surgery, endured the recovery period (takes patience) and am living a normal digestive life, better than I've had in the last 10 years! Best wishes for your outcome. Low fiber diet (on internet), antibiotic and Metamucil daily worked for me during the waiting period.

You had an amazing recovery, @lucy155, and you have offered some great advice about diet as well!

How long was your recovery from the abdominal surgery?