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...
I had my first bout of divertulitis in June and then two subsequent little ones that prolonged me getting my first colonoscopy until yesterday. I awoke this morning to bloating and extreme pain on my left side. GI MD told me to start the antiobiotics again today as sometimes a colonscopy can flare things up again. Anyone have this experience? They are recommending surgery. What are your thoughts and how long is recovery usually?? Thanks for all the help...
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theatre and I are there already. I'm having a very berry tea with crackers, cheese and cherry tomatoes and she's having a joint with some beer and we're both on really comfy recliners on thick pile carpet. we need some help with the decor if anyone is around??
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I'm trying to exercise daily. I was doing fairly well until I sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago but now I'm getting back on the horse. Today I walked over a mile with my arm weights that are about 22lbs total. I was out of shape and it was hard on my arms. I also did my 30 situps. I'm also going to drink a lot of water and try to eat healthy. I do tend to have a sweet tooth but I'm cutting...
I am 8 days post surgery (surgery on the 15th). I am happy with my decision so far. I can already tell that that infected area is gone. I have pain from the incisions, but not that chronic ache I had before surgery; my color is better than it was; my skin is regaining normal coloring and complexion that I haven't had in over a year and my energy feels really good even though I just had surgery. It's definitely a personal decision and not one to be taken lightly. The decision for me was more easily made when my GI told me that if I didn't have the surgery electively, he was very confident I would be having it on an emergency basis in the next couple of years. I wanted to avoid a colostomy bag and have this done on my schedule - when it worked for me and I could make appropriate arrangements for work, dog, etc.
Depending on your history (past surgeries, general health) you may be a candidate for laproscopic surgery which is far easier to recover from. I had mine done lapro with hand assist. I have 4 incisions that are about 1" in length and 1 incision that is about 5" in length. The 4 small ones were used for the lapro equipment and drains. I still have one drain in that is tender, but otherwise those incisions are not painful. The larger incision is horizontal and very low - just above the pubic line. This is the one that is more painful although not terribly so. Of course, they have to cut through your muscle wall so the worse part is trying to do activities that use your abs (ie getting in and out of bed).
I was in patient for 5 days; 7 is quite common with the hand port. I'm now home, using Tylenol only during the day and Vicodin at night; able to get around decently with minimal help and progressing well.
If you decide to move forward with surgery, please meet with a couple of surgeons and research them for any complaints, charges or settlements they may have against them. Finding the right surgeon for you is key. Also, please check out Nancy Huddlestons book and CD called "Prepare for Surgery; Heal Faster". I didn't have my doc do the positive statements but followed the relaxation techniques and such and my surgeon believes that being as relaxed and calm as I was has facilitated my recovery.
Please feel free to message me if you have questions. I know I was nervous and looking for honest answers before I went in.
Best to you!