I am also three weeks post op resection today. I don't have pain. I was able to wear pants and walk for over a mile yesterday. Abdomen still misshapen (there is still some type of liquid sealant on it, the doctor said it takes about four weeks to dissolve) I have some bloating, but I notice it is improving. My biggest complaint is anxiety. II don't know if it is rebound from stopping Ativan/hydrocodone (two days ago- I was still taking it at night to sleep) or from surgery itself. I still have four weeks before returning to work. I feel for you. I can't imagine going back this week. I hope you are only working part-time.

At the store, already ready to go home after 2 hours. Probably not helping that it's 100 degrees today. Not doing anything but sitting on my chair. LOL

kjsully-

I had crazy anxiety after my surgery. I am so interested to hear about people's experiences with anxiety related to this condition. I wish more people would share that stuff because I firmly believe it's connected.

Personally I think it's related to the diver *and* actual surgery. You are not the only person I've read to have anxiety skyrocket after surgery. And I don't mean it's in your head. I think it's connected to the fact that your gut produces a lot of your neurotransmitters and your microflora was disrupted due to antibiotics and your system is struggling to maintain equilibrium. And yes, surgery is a stressful event, but your serotonin is off. The science to explain the process isn't there yet. My anxiety was absolutely unrelenting in a bizarre way. Finally got a prescription for Celexa to get me through the next surgery.

Well I am a high anxiety person to begin with. Probably got this disease from nerves. My grandmother had it, her name was Nellie and we always called her Nervous Nellie. She was never operated on. I still have anxiety post-op. This scares the crap out of me literally. Perfectly healthy one day (or so I thought) and then this. I am eating anything I want now per my doctor but every twinge, any ache I freak out. I am sleeping ok but sometimes I find myself during the day thinking about it all and I cry. My husband has been so good to me but I feel disgusting about myself. I have three children and you think back to spouses who don't find their wives attractive after childbirth, well this certainly takes the cake if you ask me. I am still scared. I just finished some salad with pasta and I wondering "should I have eaten that salad". I am not taking my anxiety pills anymore. I only take the probiotic and vitamin C right now. Worked a full day today. I have a physical job and I am laying low but I did finish the day out. I am sending you a big hug because once you are in this, it is something only someone has walked in the shoes can understand. Stay strong and try not to be too hard on yourself and I will too.

3 weeks is nothing, girl! That's no time. I think you should take more time away. Can you have a friend do the shop?

I'm really surprised that you're back at work already. You need to give yourself another 3 weeks at least... and really for me it was more like 3 months before I was feeling more back to normal -- and that's with my new Celexa prescription -- which I highly recommend by the way.

I would venture to guess that MANY of us here with diver are high stress, high-anxiety types who have perfectionist and "good people" issues.

Do you have a colostomy? I can't remember....

ricecake:

Thanks for your response and the suggestion of Celexa. I have some clonazepam, .5 mg. I took a 1/4 tab during day and 1/2 at night. That really seemed to help. If anxiety doesn't improve soon, I will certainly ask my doctor about the Celexa. Question: What type of side effects does Celexa cause? (Drowsiness, constipation, etc.)

ricecake I think you're right when you said:

"I would venture to guess that MANY of us here with diver are high stress, high-anxiety types who have perfectionist and "good people" issues."

I am anyway. I'm learning though how to detach from other people's issues & I'm learning that worrying & fretting changes NOTHING. A good book that helped me was The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie.

Celexa is an SSRI so it can affect your gut a bit. I have a colsotomy and it's basically pretty impossible for me to tell if it's giving me gastro problems since i already have so many problems. LOL. BUT!!!! It DEFINITELY alleviated the anxiety for me and that actually was my BIGGEST problem with this whole situation. I am WAY more mellow and happier and can sleep and am not feeling the _constant_ buzzing in my gut of anxiety and shortness of breath that I was before. I don't know how long I'll stay on it, but it's made a big difference for me. It's supposed to be a relatively newer SSRI with fewer side effects. So far so good for me. There is also a generic form of it so a month supply is only like $5 or something at Target.

P.S. Just to be clear, I'm not recommending Celexa for everyone. It was a tough decision for me to make since I've got a colostomy bag and I have to get myself into shape for my next surgery -- I didn't want to take anything that could inhibit my recovery and because SSRIs affect serotonin - they in turn affect motility of the gut - so they can give you diarrhea and some nausea especially when you first start taking them. I haven't had any cramping. I basically tried to find one that would have the fewest side effects. But my anxiety was so awful I was really hating life and this has helped rebalance that whole thing so I can deal much better. I still can't quite tell if it's giving me diarrhea, etc. to be honest. I have a bit of that but I'm not sure if it's the med or not. Anyway, the generic name for Celexa is citalopram. Here is a link to a study discussing Citalopram and gut motility. You could bring it to your doc and ask him to read the study?? http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20456311

here's another one talking about gut motility and celexa.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16393306

basically it makes your gut move more.

they're not really discussing whether that's good or bad; just discussing that serotonin affects gut motility.

I have tried to cut out the anti-anxiety drugs now. I am just taking Alyn and Vitamin C. I am still dealing with anxiety in "waves". Last night I tossed and turned with nightmares.
If I were facing another surgery and dealing with the colostomy bag, I am sure I would be on something to keep me calm. Hang in there. Today I will attend my inlaw's family reunion. Huge family originally 9 children who are now all married and their kids married and grandkids and nieces and nephews and one just turned 18 and graduated. I thought I would be feeling stronger than I am by this point but I have a new outfit and I am going to see everyone. Can't wait.

I'm glad you're looking forward to it! Enjoy!

I am also a high anxiety person to begin with. My mom suffers from episodes of diverticulitis. Her mom and dad also had episodes of it. I have never had surgery but I still experience anxiety and worry. I have read on many diverticulitis websites that stress can cause diverticulitis and I am sure it is true. I cry most every day also over the pain, nausea, stress, and anxiety associated with diverticulitis. I also am married to a wonderful man who supports me and helps me and takes wonderful care of me.
I am not eating much because I do not have much of an appetite. The Flagyl and Cipro are not helping because I do not have much of an appetite. I did eat some rice cakes though because do not take Cipro on an empty stomach. You will get sick. The first time I took it I took it on an empty stomach and I got very sick to my stomach.
Do not ever feel disgusted about yourself. We all know exactly how you feel because of this terrible pain and health condition. Also as you stated try not to be hard on yourself. I know it is hard to do because I am hardest on myself.
I am sending everyone hugs and prayers on here. I thank God for this website!! I hope everyone is doing well and feeling excellent!! Take care.

Sincerely,

Michelle

Update 1 month post-resection. Well, I am doing quite well. I eat and go to bathroom normally. I tire easily. I continue to go to work and just kind of try to sit there. I do not lift anything. It is frustrating as my work as an Estate Sale provider and shop owner involves moving,pushing, pulling, lifting, cleaning, climbing.... Can't do it. I do feel that from the months of attacks and rounds of antibiotics and hospital stays, CT scans, colonoscopy, endoscopy, no eating, worrying and then the major surgery that I suffer from some post trauma. I cry easily still and look at life most differently. I still have abdominal pain and soreness, my belly feels like an open nerve? This concerns me one month out. Has anyone else still been so tender to the touch one month out? I have no fever, or nausea, I don't feel sick anymore just sore and painful. Thanks for listening AGAIN! xoxo Waiting for Belind to start posting again and praying that her surgery went well.