Diverticulitis and now going to have a Sigmoid colon resection

Posted by linda82 @linda82, Jan 16 5:34pm

I have had 4 occurrences this past year treated with antibiotics and Mesalamine ER and now getting ready for surgery. This last occurrence I ended up in the ER and was lucky the abscess was small enough to treat with antibiotics and liquid diet.
I have been on low fiber diet and Mesalamine. The Mesalamine has been great but very hard to find and go form one CVS to another to find stock. (it is not being manufactured right now and insurance will not pay for it) I also to do not want to be on this the rest of my life or until another occurrence when it will be an emergency surgery. Right now all my blood work is great and back to normal and MRI and CT scans have been completed.
I just can't handle another episode of this and will be 60 yrs old this year. I am retired and all episodes happened after vacation and do not want to live in fear of going anywhere! I am in good health and do not take any other meds.
I am curious of others that have gone through this surgery and get helpful insight on what to expect.
Surgery will be in March and will be robotic.
Thanks in advance.

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Yes, very interested! Wish you the best and thank you!

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@cyndimae

Everyone’s comments have been very helpful, thank you! I am having surgery this Monday 1/22/24. A robotic sigmoid colectomy following a single episode of complicated diverticulitis last May. I will post an update if anyone’s interested.

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Cyndimae, please post updates as you are able. I’ll be saying prayers up for you and sending well wishes your way! Best of luck!

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I’m sorry to say that this surgery changed my life. I never returned to normal afterwards. Had the surgery in 21. Aside from abdominal distention( surgical lesions) and bloating, I have pelvic dysfunction and all that entails. Have tried diet changes and therapy and oodles of scans over the past 3 years. Bottom line , it is what it is and I’ve learned to cope and work around it so I can travel and live my best life. It could be worse, so I try and be grateful !
Perhaps your outcome will be better. Please keep me updated!
I’ve come up with some good workarounds!
Best of luck!

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@cyndimae

Everyone’s comments have been very helpful, thank you! I am having surgery this Monday 1/22/24. A robotic sigmoid colectomy following a single episode of complicated diverticulitis last May. I will post an update if anyone’s interested.

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Please keep us posted! Best wishes to you and I hope you feel better and the surgery is a success! I am coming the following weekend to the Mayo Rochester hoping to get help with redundant/torturous colon and motility and defecation problems.
I have had a blockage with adhesions and appendectomy and still having problems with my colon.
Have CRPS too and not sure what the ultimate answer will be. I have wondered about surgery too. Linzess isn’t quite doing the job.
Four years of constant discomfort and no sleep from colon pressure.

Relief is coming for you soon! I am curious to see how it goes?

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I had a sigmoid bowel resection for diverticulitis in June 23. The surgery went fine but after having slight constipation in July, I started having diarrhea on Aug 5th and it still continues. I have had 2 scans, blood work, stool samples etc. tested. Nothing terrible showed up other than a type of colitis. I have tried Mesalamine suppositories, steroids(Budesonide), Dicyclomine, strong probiotics, Cholestyramine, tincture of opium, and now doing the opium and Mesalamine pills every day. So far nothing is working. I have adjusted my diet eliminating salads, beans, most fresh vegetables, and barely eating at times. I drink tons of water and Liquid IV every day but now getting heartburn that is very painful and won't let up. Yesterday I visited the bathroom 14 times.
If I had it to do over I would not have the surgery. Everyone is different and I do have an autoimmune disease so my body may be resisting healing itself. There is no way of telling.
I hope your surgery goes well and you get some relief, your diverticulitis sounds worse than mine was.

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I had a colon resection 3 1/2 years ago. It went well and changed my life, until now. I have just been diagnosed with diverticulitis, hospital visit etc.

My advice would be to be careful and do not become complacent. I think that’s where I went wrong. They say you can “eat anything” after the surgery. I should have continued with a low residue diet. I took a stool
softener every night and a clear fibre drink. As I said,it worked for 3 years. I probably got careless , eating nuts etc. just be careful.
Good luck, let us know how it goes!

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@mary95

I had a sigmoid bowel resection for diverticulitis in June 23. The surgery went fine but after having slight constipation in July, I started having diarrhea on Aug 5th and it still continues. I have had 2 scans, blood work, stool samples etc. tested. Nothing terrible showed up other than a type of colitis. I have tried Mesalamine suppositories, steroids(Budesonide), Dicyclomine, strong probiotics, Cholestyramine, tincture of opium, and now doing the opium and Mesalamine pills every day. So far nothing is working. I have adjusted my diet eliminating salads, beans, most fresh vegetables, and barely eating at times. I drink tons of water and Liquid IV every day but now getting heartburn that is very painful and won't let up. Yesterday I visited the bathroom 14 times.
If I had it to do over I would not have the surgery. Everyone is different and I do have an autoimmune disease so my body may be resisting healing itself. There is no way of telling.
I hope your surgery goes well and you get some relief, your diverticulitis sounds worse than mine was.

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So sorry to hear this.
Just curious what was your symptoms and issues before surgery with your stomach/colon?
Before my ER visit in Nov. I was going to the bathroom all day. It was my 4th attack last year. And was the worse. Inflammation and infection were very high and the CT showed an abscess. I was lucky that it was small enough to not have surgery and just take the antibiotics. Amoxicillin Clay. (14 days)and Mesalamine.

I have been taking the Mesalamine 2xAM and 2 PM and have been a low fiber diet. I have normal BM in the Am only. I have had to take some MiraLAX a couple of days. In the last 2 mths. But, I have been going from CVS to CVS to refill the Mesalamine because it it on back order. I called Sun Pharma the mfg and was told they were to on backorder. Which is another reason I want to go off of it. (it has been the only medicine that has helped) My family Dr. recommended the surgeon and my GI Dr. said I would need the surgery too. That it will only get worse. That is why I decided to get before I have another episode. I am in good health otherwise and do not take any medications beside the Mesalamine. My blood work is back to normal. I am also back to working out 4 times a week with no pain.
I am seeing other people with your after-surgery issues and seeing others that said it was the best thing they did.
This is the hardest decision for me to make.
Have you tried the medical grade probiotics? I take a couple a day. I also stay consistent with food.
I have eliminated so much food too! I can eat steamed carrots that have to be mushy, French green beans and boiled or mash potatoes. That is all the vegetables I can eat right now. I can eat Jasmine rice grilled or baked chicken and some sandwich meat/cheese and saltines.
I too drink a lot of water but, have been adding apple and grape juice with mineral water every day. (no sugar added) I also drink a lot of Camomile, peppermint, green and other herbal teas. There is one that I got on amazon. See attached pic. I also buy ginger pces that help and eat very small meals!

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@kathyoung

I had a colon resection 3 1/2 years ago. It went well and changed my life, until now. I have just been diagnosed with diverticulitis, hospital visit etc.

My advice would be to be careful and do not become complacent. I think that’s where I went wrong. They say you can “eat anything” after the surgery. I should have continued with a low residue diet. I took a stool
softener every night and a clear fibre drink. As I said,it worked for 3 years. I probably got careless , eating nuts etc. just be careful.
Good luck, let us know how it goes!

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Oh no! Did you have the surgery because of diverticulitis? And now is it in a different area.?

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@linda82

So sorry to hear this.
Just curious what was your symptoms and issues before surgery with your stomach/colon?
Before my ER visit in Nov. I was going to the bathroom all day. It was my 4th attack last year. And was the worse. Inflammation and infection were very high and the CT showed an abscess. I was lucky that it was small enough to not have surgery and just take the antibiotics. Amoxicillin Clay. (14 days)and Mesalamine.

I have been taking the Mesalamine 2xAM and 2 PM and have been a low fiber diet. I have normal BM in the Am only. I have had to take some MiraLAX a couple of days. In the last 2 mths. But, I have been going from CVS to CVS to refill the Mesalamine because it it on back order. I called Sun Pharma the mfg and was told they were to on backorder. Which is another reason I want to go off of it. (it has been the only medicine that has helped) My family Dr. recommended the surgeon and my GI Dr. said I would need the surgery too. That it will only get worse. That is why I decided to get before I have another episode. I am in good health otherwise and do not take any medications beside the Mesalamine. My blood work is back to normal. I am also back to working out 4 times a week with no pain.
I am seeing other people with your after-surgery issues and seeing others that said it was the best thing they did.
This is the hardest decision for me to make.
Have you tried the medical grade probiotics? I take a couple a day. I also stay consistent with food.
I have eliminated so much food too! I can eat steamed carrots that have to be mushy, French green beans and boiled or mash potatoes. That is all the vegetables I can eat right now. I can eat Jasmine rice grilled or baked chicken and some sandwich meat/cheese and saltines.
I too drink a lot of water but, have been adding apple and grape juice with mineral water every day. (no sugar added) I also drink a lot of Camomile, peppermint, green and other herbal teas. There is one that I got on amazon. See attached pic. I also buy ginger pces that help and eat very small meals!

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Thank you ! I will try the tea. I’m not familiar with Mesalamine?
I did have the surgery for diverticulitis, after I had the CT, the day before yesterday, they told me it was in another spot. So frustrating!
I have an appt for a colonoscopy/endoscopy soon. I guess I’ll learn more then. Never seems be good news though.
Having said that, I got three good years post surgery. Maybe if I’m just very careful I’ll continue to be ok. Fingers crossed

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@kathyoung

Thank you ! I will try the tea. I’m not familiar with Mesalamine?
I did have the surgery for diverticulitis, after I had the CT, the day before yesterday, they told me it was in another spot. So frustrating!
I have an appt for a colonoscopy/endoscopy soon. I guess I’ll learn more then. Never seems be good news though.
Having said that, I got three good years post surgery. Maybe if I’m just very careful I’ll continue to be ok. Fingers crossed

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That is very frustrating and one of my biggest concerns. If all my MRI's and CT scans are showing it in one place, I would not want to worry about it happening again in another location!
If after your colonoscopy/endoscopy show it in another place and not caused to much damage I think I would stay with a special diet.
Please update and hoping for the best!

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