Diverticulitis Support Group

I have started a journal about my experience 'so far, however limited' with Diverticulitis. Thought it may be interesting for anybody else just diagnosed to read.

Mandy,

For my initial attack and subsequent ones....if no IV abx are used, I have been on Cipro and Flagyl for 10 days via my GI doc. For my initial attack, I had blood work, UA, CT scan, and a colonoscopy once the area had "cooled down" on the antibiotics. I did have chills, fever, and a really high white cell count. They admitted me for one week in the hospital.

Dave

Mandy,

I should have added that for my first attack, it did take some time to cool down and to feel normal again. These attacks now, 3-4 days on the medications and I feel good again however I take the whole dose to limit bacterial resistance.

It's really hard to tell you on this website what to do when with regards to your care. I would encourage you to be in constant touch with your physician about your symptoms, ask questions, and if you feel the need for a second opinion, get one. Let us know how your doing and I hope you have a speedy recovery.

Dave

Hi Dave thanks for the replies.

I am on my 5th and last day of my current antibiotics today and the pain has gone. Two more lots of tablets left to take. I will however go back to gp tomorrow if there is any sign at all of pain. What I am putting up with today is slight dizziness and extreme tiredness.. i guess that's just the build up of the antibiotics because I feel fine in all other ways.

Currently researching the dietery advice in the hope that this horrible thing won't come back. Do people ever get only the one attack?? or is that unrealistic?

From what I have read, most people have one attack and then have no more problems. The minority have a second attack (of which I am one) and the real minority have multiple attacks (I joined that fraternity too, LOL).

I hope for you this is it. The abx make me tired too and I have experienced dizziness while on them also. Let us know how you do.

Dave

I had symptoms for three weeks but thought it was my ovary. Although the pain wasn't pleasant, the worst for me was the antibiotics. They made me severely ill and I couldn't keep anything down and very nausea's. So I fear having another attack just because of how ill I was with the meds. My first attack was in Sept. My brother has had four attacks now and my mom only one. The meds made the pain go away quickly for me, however, I still feel I'm recovering and trying to get my full energy back. Good luck!!!

Thanks apoloday

The antibiotics certainly do wear you down. I hope you get your energy back soon

Mand

Hi I lived with Diverticulitis for 5 horrible years.Every time I had attack my Dr would say its IBS.I had so many infections and the pain was unbearable!!Make sure your Dr does a ct scan.I never had a fever low grade.My blood count was never terrible high except for the first attache I was off work for month.I dont know why.My last attack I went to er.Same Dr I seen when I ha my first attack.He said you need surgery right away.I had my surgery in 2006.I was suppose to have loprostopic cant spell but I ha so much inflamation an adhesions ect.I ha to be opened up.I had 12 inches taken out.I had 10 diverticulias!!They say 2 or 3 attacks is time for surgery.They are right I had so many my Dr didnt know what she was doing.Find a good dr.I,m not trying to scare you but I should have had surgery long time ago.

Sorry you had to find us all like this but this is a great site for information because I've found the docs are certainly clueless in providing helpful information. Read the posts from 4strikes - he seems to be very knowledgeable regarding our disease.

I had my first attack in May 2009 and my second the end of July (a couple weeks after my first colonoscopy). I was in the hospital for 7 days (had to have surgery) and have reoccurring "twinges" of pain on a regular basis. I sought the advise of a specialist in this field, who also offered little useful advise. I have to avoid nuts and seeds and I limit alcohol intake (very acidic). The following are the things which (cross your fingers and knock on wood) seem to have helped me: Garlic pills, probiotics (recommended by the specialist when I asked him) and Citrucel (with the blue lid) also recommended by my surgeon and specialist. The antibiotics really do suck but are unavoidable at times. The priobiotics are supposed to help re-regulate your system after the antibiotics. I sure hope you get better soon.

Hi thanks for your replies : )

Have indeed bought some prebiotics today and taken my first one. Lets hope they help in the future.

I'm determined to eat as well as possible but am wondering if you still allow yourself the odd takeaway or meal out.. i.e. chinese food? How strict is it necessary to be?

Hope everybody is well today. I'm feeling much better now but a little scared that it will come back now that the antibiotics has finished.

Mand