1. < Digestive Health

Surgery for recurrent diverticulitis

Posted by lucylukopp3 @lucylukopp3, Feb 18 4:47pm

I'm having recurring diverticulitis.
First episode in May 2023. Treated with Metronidalzol and Cephalexin. Went away. No issues.

REturned in September 2024, hospitalized with absesses. IV antibiotics in hospital 24 hours and then oral antibiotics Augmentin) at home.

In December returned. No absesses. Treated with oral antibiotics (Augmentinn) at home.

In January returned. No absesses. Very mild pain. Treated with oral antibiotics at home. Presently still some odd feelings.-tightness.

I didn't have severe pain with any episode. I was tender to touch and had CT scan each time. I have been dieting and feel constipation has caused the diverticulitis episodes. Trying to figure out magic formula eating enough fiber so I don't become constipated.

I was referred to surgeon. He wants to surgically remove my entire Sigmoid Colon!

Has anyone had their Sigmoid Colon removed? Has anyone been treated with antibiotics for recurring episodes?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

linda82 | @linda82 | Mar 2 7:57am
In reply to @sandmason "I'm 73 and just cancelled surgery. I had a bad reaction to Cipro, it hit my..." + (show)
@sandmason

I'm 73 and just cancelled surgery. I had a bad reaction to Cipro, it hit my patellar tendon and hands, basically couldn't function. I'm underweight and on steroids so my doctors decided it was too risky.

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Sorry to hear that! That is a side effect.
I also had AMOXICILLIN-CLAV 875-125MG and Mesalamine ER 500 MG for treatment.
I had 4 mths to prepare for surgery and you really need to be in the best health possible.
I was so afraid I would not make it and have another episode and have to start over.

Have they helped on your nutrition? With what we go through that is so hard to have and you lose weight and muscle.

REPLY
1 reply
foxj | @foxj | Mar 2 8:37am
In reply to @sandmason "I'm 73 and just cancelled surgery. I had a bad reaction to Cipro, it hit my..." + (show)
@sandmason

I'm 73 and just cancelled surgery. I had a bad reaction to Cipro, it hit my patellar tendon and hands, basically couldn't function. I'm underweight and on steroids so my doctors decided it was too risky.

Jump to this post

I’m so sorry that happened to you. Those antibiotics are tough. I had to take them as well in order to be healthy enough for the surgery because my episodes just kept coming. I lost so much weight because they made me sick, and I too was so fearful they would have to cancel .
I hope it all works out for you. I am 72 and the surgery went well. I’m 6 weeks out now and things are going pretty well. I’m just hoping my digestive system straightens itself out over time. But mostly I just pray I never have another episode of diverticulitis again.
Good luck to you.

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2 replies
saraanne | @saraanne | Mar 2 11:03am

@lucylukopp3 I sympathize with you and hope you do well after your last antibiotic treatment. I’m also facing a surgery recommendation for removal of sigmoid colon. I’m currently 6 weeks after a tapering off prednisone for an autoimmune disease. I’ve had a recent flare and am currently on Augmentin. I’m hoping to keep my sigmoid colon! I want to see if my immune system can come back from the steroid suppression. I’m going to add supplements, herbs, spices and anything else I can think of for gut microbiome and immune function. I already eat a high fiber diet, meditate and exercise. I find these flare up oddly disabling. I don’t seem to want to do much, and the various diets (FODMAP, liquid, low fiber) so dispiriting. I love my food.
I would love to hear from any one who has found things to do themselves to avoid the surgery.

REPLY
lucylukopp3 | @lucylukopp3 | Mar 2 7:43pm

My second opinion surgeon said no surgery yet. My primary care gave me another round of antibiotics.

I had dieted and lost 30 lbs. No Ozempic or meds, just cut calories and increased exercise. Did everything you're supposed to do. My thanks is constipation and diverticulitis!

Switching to low fiber and gradually increasing to high fiber is tricky. I also would love to hear from others how they avoided surgery.

Good luck to you!

REPLY
lucylukopp3 | @lucylukopp3 | Mar 2 7:49pm
In reply to @foxj "I’m so sorry that happened to you. Those antibiotics are tough. I had to take them..." + (show)
@foxj

I’m so sorry that happened to you. Those antibiotics are tough. I had to take them as well in order to be healthy enough for the surgery because my episodes just kept coming. I lost so much weight because they made me sick, and I too was so fearful they would have to cancel .
I hope it all works out for you. I am 72 and the surgery went well. I’m 6 weeks out now and things are going pretty well. I’m just hoping my digestive system straightens itself out over time. But mostly I just pray I never have another episode of diverticulitis again.
Good luck to you.

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Thanks. Speedy recovery!

REPLY
lucylukopp3 | @lucylukopp3 | Mar 2 7:51pm
In reply to @linda82 "Sorry to hear that! That is a side effect. I also had AMOXICILLIN-CLAV 875-125MG and Mesalamine..." + (show)
@linda82

Sorry to hear that! That is a side effect.
I also had AMOXICILLIN-CLAV 875-125MG and Mesalamine ER 500 MG for treatment.
I had 4 mths to prepare for surgery and you really need to be in the best health possible.
I was so afraid I would not make it and have another episode and have to start over.

Have they helped on your nutrition? With what we go through that is so hard to have and you lose weight and muscle.

Jump to this post

Wow! Good luck.

My 2nd opnion doc said no surgery yet. Trying to stay positive.

REPLY
lucylukopp3 | @lucylukopp3 | Mar 2 7:54pm
In reply to @diannesmcneill "What does an episode feel like and where is pain? I do have diverticulosis. I get..." + (show)
@diannesmcneill

What does an episode feel like and where is pain? I do have diverticulosis. I get this lower left front pain. I tested positive for UTI w blood ( frequent pee urges and burning pee or cant pee. Took antiobiotic. Urine test now clear with blood. Lower front left still was painful. Given2nd antiobiotic last dosage last night. I still have lower left front pain. Feels like sitting on something painful. It occurred to me yesterday I might be having diverticulitis attack. In reading there is close association between UTI and diverticulitis attack. Went to clear liquids yesterday. No other symptoms….just painful left front feeling like sitting on something painful or pain is radiating from bladder. Now I know the colon can be resting up against my bladder. So what does your pain feel like and where is your pain. I am using my hyoscyamine, baclofen, and Tylenol to treat.

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I have little pain. Left side-minor . Sometimes feels like a knot in my muscle.

I'm on 2nd round of antibiotics and hoping no surgery.

REPLY
lucylukopp3 | @lucylukopp3 | Mar 2 7:55pm
In reply to @foxj "I’m so sorry that happened to you. Those antibiotics are tough. I had to take them..." + (show)
@foxj

I’m so sorry that happened to you. Those antibiotics are tough. I had to take them as well in order to be healthy enough for the surgery because my episodes just kept coming. I lost so much weight because they made me sick, and I too was so fearful they would have to cancel .
I hope it all works out for you. I am 72 and the surgery went well. I’m 6 weeks out now and things are going pretty well. I’m just hoping my digestive system straightens itself out over time. But mostly I just pray I never have another episode of diverticulitis again.
Good luck to you.

Jump to this post

Good lluck. I keep praying no surgery

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