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

Posted by flgbe @flgbe, 22 hours ago

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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linda82 | @linda82 | 8 hours ago

You probably have had a couple of years. When your episodes become more frequent and more intense it is hard to control completely with a diet. Also, when you are having an episode, you need to go only liquid diet for a couple days. Then low residue until healed. Of course you can try on your own. But, it is also important to have a blood test to check your inflammation and white blood cell levels. It they are high you need antibiotics and an anti-inflammation med.

The hardest part of them seeing it on a CT scan is you really do not know the complete damage already done due to scarring from frequent episodes. You need to have a colonoscopy. But, that cannot show all the damage.

In the meantime. Make sure you eat small meals, very little processed food, plenty of fluids and exercise.