Diverticulitis Support Group

I am new to this diagnosis and very frustrated with my doctor. I have been reading through this site and feel at least here my symptoms aren't all in my head! Sorry if this is long.
Here's my story.
I have had "bowel issues" since my 20's and i'm now 40. My doctor has diagnosed me with IBS and won't see past it. (everything I have is related to IBS) grrr. Anyways since Christmas I really haven't "felt well", and nearing the end of January 2012 I got much worse. Bloating every time I ate and pain....oh the pain in my abdomen. Sometimes I wouldn't make it through a meal without having to run to the bathroom with cramps and BM. Then after the meal lay on the couch with a heating pad the rest of the night trying to make the discomfort go away. Then the pain became constant, left upper quadrant,(right below my ribs) almost into my side and radiating to my back. Then a few days later, I lost my appetite altogether as it hurt to much to eat. I told my husband I now hate food! At this point I wasn't having any bowel movements and wasn't passing any gas either. That was for about 3 days, but not uncommon for me. I am chronically constipated. Then on Feb 11, 2012 I was at work (I work as a PSW in a long term care facility) and couldn't eat, couldn't get comfortable sitting or standing. Actually I don't even think I could stand up straight, the pain on the left side was so bad. I left work and went to the clinic, who inturn sent me to emerg. Once in emerg they did all the blood work, temp, respirations etc. Blood work came back WBC where high, then sent off for a CT scan with contrast. That came back with diverticulitis diagnosis.
CT SCAN FEB 11/ 2012
CT indicated, scattered diverticula of the descending colon. There was focal perienteric inflammation in the anterior pararenal space mid-descending colon with an enlarged diverticulum. There is a small amount of fluid and thickening of the lateral conal fascia and Gerota's fascia, there are no loculated collections.
Findings: short segment diverticulitis of the mid-descending colon with no evidence of abscess or perforation.

So I was sent home with flagyl and another antibiotic (don't remember) and hydromorphone 2mg. I barely slept that night, and again returned to work the next day (sunday). I don't know how I made it through the day ( didn't eat a thing) got home @ 3:30pm and went right to bed. My hubby woke me to have something to eat, and I barely got anything down. The pain in my abdoment was terrible and nausea. I was curled in a ball crying in bed. By morning I hadn't slept and made my way back to emerg in my pj's. The did more blood work (WBC) still rising on antibiotics. That's when the surgeon showed up and said he was admitting me. I was put onto i.v antibiotics and hydromorphone i.v. along with a clear fluid diet. After day 3 in hospital 2 things happened. I wasn't getting better (WBC) still going up, worse pain etc and my veins kept collapsing. My surgeon then contacted infection control guy at the hospital to discuss what to put me on as I have alot of allergies to antibiotics. Then I was sent downstairs to have a picc line inserted to administer meds through. They decided to put me on Meropenem. I remained on clear fluids for 8 days. On day 9 I was allowed a fluid tray and day 10 reg diet. On day 12, I was released. My WBC had dropped to just over 12000, so I was sent home with iv antibiotics (meropenum) and hydromorphone 4mg. I had homecare nurses come in everyday to change my i.v. bag. After another 7 days, I was taken off the meropenum. I was still feeling like crap and took me a long time to gain back my energy. At this point I still wasn't able to work. I had a follow up appointment with the surgeon (colorectal) that admitted me. I told him now I am still having discomfort after eating and I am now passing mucous and blood when trying to have a bowel movement. Sometimes thats all that would come out without poop! So I was booked for another CT scan with contrast and colonoscopy with biopsy.

CT SCAN APRIL 9 / 2012
Previously noted mid descending colon diverticulitis has essentially resolved. No wall thickening or inflammatory changes are noted at this time. Minimal diverticular disease is noted.
INTERPRETATION:
Interval resolution of the descending colon diverticulitis. No abscess.

So I go into my family GP's office to pick up a copy of the CT results and he peeks his head around the corner and says "great news eh" your diverticulitis is resolved!! At first I felt very angry!! How can this be resolved when I still have these symptoms? Granted the pain isn't bad anymore, its more discomfort, some days are better than others. I just never know when I eat what can trigger the pain. After re-reading the second CT scan results now i'm confused?? Do I still have diverticular disease? Maybe something will show during the colonoscopy on Tuesday, they are also looking for crohns/colitis.
Posted on 04/13/12, 10:04 pm