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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Can diverticulosis be "cured"

deleted_user
deleted_user
I just had a partial colectomy 10/25/07. I had to have part of my sigmoid colon removed, my appendix removed, and my bladder "repaired " due to a fistula that formed and caused adhesions between my colon and bladder.I was in the hospital a little over a week. I was re-hospitalized for 3 days about a week later with what they said was either a partial obstruction of the small intestine or I had an illeus. Anyway, my question is, can you really be cured from diverticulosis? My colon and rectal surgeon says that since he removed the diseased portion of my colon (only 10"), I can now eat pretty much whatever I want as long as I am getting 30-40 grams of fiber a day to promote healthy digestion. I just find it hard to believe that a few months ago I couldn't eat hardly anything I liked and now I can. Also, I noticed that since my surgery, I have had an increase in gas and bowel movements. Anyone out there have any insight? Thanks,
Joe
deleted_user
deleted_user
Howdy Joe,

Man I'm struggling with the same thing here. I had a resection on the 15th of November and am in the process of rebuilding my fiber each day. It's so hard to think I can now eat foods that a month ago I needed to avoid. I ate a mini-snickers yesterday to see how peanuts would play out. And I had cucumbers and tomatos on a salad the day before. No problems yet!! I can't believe you're already up to 30-40 grams daily!! I'm at 10-12 this week, but my surgeon says to shoot for a 25g target; more than that and I'll have too much gas.

I have already noticed an increase in gas and bowel movements, too. This seems kinda crude, but I guess it's why we're here, huh?! I had 4 bm's yesterday; all very small but it's like there's no storage so I'm going to go more frequently. There isn't an urgency so I'm not concerned though.

Hope you're feeling well!!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi. My name is Chris and I have had my colon resectioned twice, approx. 1' removed each time. My 1st MD recommended that I continue to avoid nuts, seeds, etc. because of my "history". That MD ended up retiring and I ended up seeing the MD that he referred his patients to. The 2nd MD said that I could eat ANYTHING that I wanted after I was completely healed from my 2nd colon resection-because he had removed the diseased section-so I guess that it is a 50-50 toss up. Personally, I don't totally avoid nuts/seeds, but on the other hand, why risk it and "ask for trouble". I am a female and was in my 30's when 1st resection occured, which is not "the norm". At that time, the literature stated that this medical condition was prevalent in men over 50. I was 48 when 2nd resection occured. That was 5 years ago and I recently had a colonoscopy and everything looked good! Since my 2ns resection, I have had alot of problems with diarreah and now I am experiencing alot of gas, even thoug I am watching what I eat. I think that I am also becoming lactose intolerant and trying to see if that is compounding my problems. Loose stools are often a problem after a resection because there is less colon for waste to pass through. I am single and have support from my family and friends but I have become a social hermit and get very lonely becasue I can't even think about trying to date someone at this time. A dinner date could be a disaster. I don't think that we get completely "cured" after a resection because we are more likely to develop more diverticuli problems. On the other hand, my MD told me that many people have diverticuli pouches and don't even know it because they have not become inflamed. Good luck. I don't get on this site everyday but please feel free to write me to vent, ask questions, be friends, etc. Same thing goes for anyone else who may read this. Take care and wishing you and everyone else the best of health.
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