Diverticulitis Support Group

Diverticulitis is a common disease of the bowel, in particular the large intestine. Diverticulitis develops from diverticulosis, which involves the formation of pouches on the outside of the colon. Diverticulitis results if one of these diverticula becomes inflamed. Diverticulitis most often affects middle-aged and elderly persons, though it can strike younger patients as...

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AusSue 12/13/2009

Hi,
I have been dx with diverticulitis yesterday. I was told that I had diverticular disease a few months ago but now got 1st real attack.
I woke up Thursday with severe pain in the left side of abdomen which hurt whenever I moved. I was fuzzy/lightheaded/dizzy, felt nauseous, had runs for a part of day & then vomited a few times - very rarely vomit at all. I hardly ate as didn't feel like it & it also hurt to eat & drink - don't know if that was due to diverticulitis or because I have other problems (ms, dysphasia-speech & swallow issues, hernias in gut & hiatus hernia that is bigger). I went to bed twice for sleeps of 2-3 hours.
Friday I thought I was ok work so went in but every time I moved in any way it was agony & I felt really nauseous. By this stage I was sweaty & feeling even worse. Only lasted 2.5hours & then came home. Slept in the train (1 hour) then went to bed when I got home for a couple of hours too.
Saturday I went to the Dr, She examined me & I have a temperature & very extended & tender abdomen. She said she didn't need to wait on blood tests to know it is a flare of diverticulitis. On a strong dose of antibiotics to try to relieve it without going into hospital. I really hope that works. Of course because of that the ms symptoms are all letting me know about them.
I am on 400mg flagyl 3 times a day & she said this should help but to go back to her if it doesn't. She also said to eat small amounts as need food to take tablets & drink heaps. I have been drinking black tea, herbal tea, cordial & water continually.
Is this the dose that is usually used for treating this?
Also at night the pain gets worse & I am having trouble sleeping from it. I take pain killers & a hot water bottle to bed but the pain wakes me lots. If I move, turn or even if I don't it wakes me. I already take valium at night too but this is not helping, tried endone (morphine pill) & that only lasted 4 hours.
Has anyone got any clues on how I can get some sleep?
My Dr told me to go back if it doesn't get better, how long should it take (on average) for the antibiotics to have some effect? I know your not Dr's but from your own experiences.
Any advice or ideas would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Sue

deleted_user 12/13/2009

Sue, sorry no one has answered you to this point. I hope you're feeling better. In my case, the antibiotics worked within 2 days. I felt much less pain after that time. You must be having a really painful attack though if you can't sleep with valium or morphine. I had a lot of pain but I don't think it was as much as yours. Again, I hope you're feeling better by now. It's already been a while since you wrote this. Good luck.

deleted_user 12/13/2009

I agree, it took about 2 days for the pain to resolve, but the flagyl killed my appetite, and made everything taste like metal. I took my last dose last night- thank god. Hope you get some relief soon!

AusSue 12/14/2009

Thanks so much for your replies.
I started the flagyl on sat & its now monday 6pm & I am still in pain. Went to work today & thought I was going to have to come home again. apart from the pain in abdo - now both sides, it hurt if I straighten still. Still struggling to eat but managing to drink most things, avoiding milk in drinks.
I am very tired & today I know my eyes closed several times at work as I couldnt focus. I thought I was going to be sick several times but managed not to be.
This is scaring the crap out of me as it doesnt seem to be easing pain wise & the other effects are getting worse too.

Im hoping someone will be able to share how they dealt with it & did it effect eyes as well as fatigue & balance.

deleted_user 12/14/2009

Flagyl is useful against anaerobic bacteria and is usually given along with another antibiotic that addresses the aerobic bacteria. Taking Flagyl can be exhausting and have side effects, but the pain would be a big concern to me. It sounds to me like the Flagyl alone isn't working.

Please call your doctor right away.

deleted_user 12/15/2009

You may need to skip a few days of work to rest. Are you taking Flagyl alone? I took it with Levaquin, and was exhausted for a while.
I did not experience any eye symptoms, but did have some dizziness too. Also, I believe it's reccomended to stick mostly to liquids for the first 2-3 days. Please seek medical attention.

deleted_user 12/15/2009

Hi !! I do hope you are Feeling Better this day !! I just had my First Attack 2 weeks ago...was in the hospital for 2 days, Thinkin I was just gonna Die !! but then the Pain let up...was still Important to REST...and Hydrate..and if you have Diarrhea I would drink gatorade, or something {Like Smart water} to replenish the lost electrolytes..Keep Food Soft, and to a Minimum !! at least the first week or so..then slowly add in Fiber once your Pain has Diminished !! and watch for yeast Infections !! High doses of Antibiotics will throw that out of control, talk to your Pharmacist about the best probiotic for you !! and take it !!

Strange how I never got sick to my Stomach, I mean I was Ravenously HUNGRY !! they wouldn't let me eat for 2 days !! I never threw up...nothing.

If the Pain has not backed WAY off yet, I would get back in to see your Dr. !!

Hugs & Prayers !!

deleted_user 12/15/2009

dakota rose, I also had your experience. I have never experienced constipation or vomiting. Always diarrhea and a hearty appetite. I am still waiting to get a CT scan so I don't know the extent of my situation yet. I havne't ended up in the hospital yet so the doctor is hopeful. Still, it's scary. I'm really concerned for you having to have surgery. I have read many people on this site and others saying that it worked out great for them though so I guess you should remain hopeful. Let us know how things progress for you. Best wishes. jack

MoonDancingNana 12/15/2009

Oral antibiotics did not work for me and I have a serious allergic reaction to flagyl. Hospitalized with morphine pump for 5 days one time and 7 days another. Had sigmoid colectomy and 1 1/2 yrs. later my ascending colon.....hate this stuff! Still having colon issues and it's been over one year since last surgery. Good luck! My oldest daughter has MS....you really need to be hospitalized in my humble opinion.

AusSue 12/16/2009

Thank you all for your responses & sharing your experiences too.
I did go back to the Dr & she sent me for an Xray to see if I am constipated. Apparently only moderately so that is good. I am still in pain but so long as I take it easy I am ok. I had yesterday & today off so hope to be ok for work the next 2 days.
I am not happy that there is nothing else I can do but live with the pain. I am on the waiting list to be seen by surgeons - but not urgent could be a long wait.
I am seeing the gastroenterologist again 14 January so will see what he says then.
I am eating a little bit at a time & drinking heaps.
The constant pain has made a lot of my ms get worse so that is another struggle.
I just want to get through Christmas without being in hospital.
I have our work team lunch tomorrow so that should be nice, probably nothing I will be able to eat as they all like spicy & fancy food.
We have David's family Christmas on Sunday so hope to enjoy that even though I wont be able to eat much.
Once I get through that its not long till Christmas day which we spend home quietly & then I am off work till after New years so that should give me a rest chance.
There does not seem to be much choice I just have to try to hide the pain (as I am used to doing) & try to keep going. I agree I probably should be in hospital but I don't want to as I have been there too much already.
I really do appreciate your understanding as others just say "I hate it when I am constipated" like that is all that is wrong.
Happy Christmas everyone.

AusSue 12/20/2009

just an update, I finished the antibiotics 2 days ago. This I woke up & rwas supposed to go to work but couldnt even stand up straight from the pain. It is both sides though constant on left. I am going back to the Dr this afternoon to see what she says as I feel like crap. I can barely my eyes open (tired from pain) & every time I move it hurts.
I guess this means that it hasnt gone away just controlled by the antibiotic? I am back to cant eat, nauseous & in pain. Dont think I am constipated as have had bowel motions today.
i feel so useless as I cant do anything without being in pain.
Thanks for any advice

deleted_user 12/22/2009

I was thinking about you today and hoping you are doing better. The biggest problem for all of us is the constant presence of this ailment. It is like the snow we had here recently it impacts your life and it just wont go away. I do not have the answer but I sense that one thing we all must learn to do is to not let it control us for so many of us, myself included, allow this to think and live on the negative side of our thought processes - we give into the concern and fear which stresses us out and makes us more painful. Thank goodness for support groups which show us we are not alone. May you be able to feel better soon and may all of our thought processes be directed to help us.

deleted_user 12/23/2009

I went to the doctor today and got pretty good information about my condition. The CT scan showed relatively mild diverticulosis without definite evidence of diverticulitis (although the word "mild" could not be applied to the two painful bouts I have experienced - still far below your pain I believe). But the thing I learned today was this - I listened to doctors tell a man that he should prepare for the end of his life because his cancer was untreatable and I listened to that man ask the doctors if they would speak to his wife and I realized that this condition sucks but I don't have to go to bed tonight thinking about my imminent death (though none of us know the time of our departure). I walked out of the hospital happy to only have diverticulosis. I know that many of you have suffered greatly and all of us have experienced and will continue to experience uncertainty and anxiety and I know that my philosophical mood of the moment will not last, but I hope that I never forget this man and that I never lose this sense of deep compassion. I hope all of you will join me in thinking of that man and wishing him the best.

AusSue 12/23/2009

Thanks for your responses. Tried to get to speak to a dr today for results but couldnt get one, rang tonight for an appt tomorrow afternoon but the surgery is already closed (usually open late). Will try again tomorrow but I need it in the afternoon as I have a spinal mri in the morning (for the ms & incontinence). Then they are closed till Tuesday, just hope I dont get sicker LOL. Will update when/if I get the results.
Not having a problem with dairy but meat I am.

deleted_user 12/23/2009

My CT in ER showed only what they called inflamed intestines and they told me to go home so I know exactly what you mean about the pain being so severe for something that is a mild condition. Yes my heart goes out to that man and his family and I will entreat the Lord in his behalf. About 20 years ago I too sat in a doctor's office where he said "you have cancer and you are going to die" so I know first hand the trauma of that statement. I had malignant melanoma of the right eye which is very rare and can be fatal. In my case it was the local doctor who kept telling me I was going to die the specialist in Philadelphia said I had time and he performed the operation. I realize this man does not have that same rescue but I know his pain and trauma. You are so right that we need to see that despite our adversities we are also very blessed in many ways.

deleted_user 12/23/2009

Sue

I hope you get some relief for Christmas. It sounds like it's been an ordeal. I actually thought of you yesterday when one of the women in the ER was Australian (from Sydney). Good luck.

LadyHelen

Thanks so much for your story. What a nightmare but I'm so glad you could find another doctor who knew what he was doing. I honestly don't know how I would handle that. I have a lifetime of mostly excellent health and even though I tell myself to have perspective, any kind of setback will probably get to me too much for a while. I know that philosophical perspective is often temporary but I'm determined to enjoy it and appreciate it while I can and hearing your story and seeing what happens to other people is just a tremendous reminder to be more grateful for the good. Believe me, when I'm bent over again with rebound pain and running to the bathroom every 5 minutes and not eating anything, I probably won't be so grateful. Anyway, thank you again for your story and I hope you really enjoy your Christmas.

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