CT scan and diverticulitis

@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?