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...
Well, as I posted before, I had gone for a colonography and the surgeon decided he still wanted to do a colonoscopy as well because he thought there may be a mass there but was hard to see because colonographies cannot "go around corners.
So, I had my colonoscopy Friday...without anaesthetic I might add and it went great. No polyps, no mass (tumor(s) ) and he said that there were diverticulae, but that he did not feel he wanted or needed to do the surgery. He said it is a huge surgery and he would (if he did it) have to remove most of my colon and I'd be on a temporary colostomy (sp) bag.
He said I've been doing very well since my attack in March when a diverticulae ruptured and luckily there was no stool or liquid in it. He said it is all about fibre..getting lots of fibre..at least the required amount. Psyllium (sp) is the best...but any fibre is most important.
So, I am somewhat relieved. I told him that just before my first and only attack I had strained really...really hard to pass a very hard stool and he said that likely caused the attack and to never to that again and never let my stool become that hard that I have to strain and I should be able to control my diverticulitis with dietary care.
So, I'm happy with that....feeling a lot more relieved.
So, I had my colonoscopy Friday...without anaesthetic I might add and it went great. No polyps, no mass (tumor(s) ) and he said that there were diverticulae, but that he did not feel he wanted or needed to do the surgery. He said it is a huge surgery and he would (if he did it) have to remove most of my colon and I'd be on a temporary colostomy (sp) bag.
He said I've been doing very well since my attack in March when a diverticulae ruptured and luckily there was no stool or liquid in it. He said it is all about fibre..getting lots of fibre..at least the required amount. Psyllium (sp) is the best...but any fibre is most important.
So, I am somewhat relieved. I told him that just before my first and only attack I had strained really...really hard to pass a very hard stool and he said that likely caused the attack and to never to that again and never let my stool become that hard that I have to strain and I should be able to control my diverticulitis with dietary care.
So, I'm happy with that....feeling a lot more relieved.
My GI doc said the exact same thing to me...about 6 Months before I Begged for the surgery.
I disagree that it is All about Fiber..I Have always been a HIGH Fiber eater..Lots of fresh Fruits and Veggies..alot that I grow, and can myself..some I buy, always as organic as I can..
I have NEVER been Constipated..Ever..have never had to Strain to have a BM.
My Sisters, brother..Junk Food all the way..they are all over weight, my sister just went for gastric Bypass..they have ALL had Scopes done, they are All Older then I, are quite sedentary in their Lifestyles..Not a 1 of them have DD..Diverticular Disease...I am the Youngest, healthiest..yet I got it.
As a matter of Fact, there are ALOT of people that have Posted here that will tell the same story..Good healthy eaters, No Constipation issues..active...yet They got it as well..
Makes NO Sense.
A Good thing I got in when I did, another infection was well under way..I had just been to see my GI Doc..he said No Surgery..so I said fine, My NP will give me the referral..so he conceded, and I went seen my Surgeon, the next week I went for the resection.
I am NOT trying to Scare you..I just do not want you to stop paying Attention to what Your BODY is saying..if ya feel good...GREAT..but if ya have another attack..the Risks go Up.
Why would they have to take Most of your Colon ? Were You Infected thru Out ? Many, MOST People Live completely Normal Lives without Symptoms with Diverticulosis..
Did he talk at all to you about any type of Stress management ?
Are you on a good probiotic ?
Just Learn to Quietly "Listen to Your Gut".
By All means, Eat HEALTHY..I am huge into Eating, Living Healthy..just Do Not become Complacent because the Doc says ur good to Go.
As far as becoming complacent....there is no way in hell. I am VERY VERY careful what I eat and yes, I am ok with probiotic. I realize that a lot of healthy people have gotten this disease....but damn it all, if he feels I can be managed by diet...I hate to take that away from myself. I am desperately trying also not to give in to stress and just do all the right things.
I hate to turn a positive into a negative...life is too frigging short to be bouncing back and forth from "a good report" to "be cautious about not needing surgery"
I don't want to be confused and (not yourself) but I seem to find a lot of people on here can be negative at times and are looking for the worst case scenerios rather than looking to the positive and doing what they should be doing.
I don't know what is right for them, but I feel and hope that this is right for me. I am a very strong willed person and do not make bad decisions or bad choices which is a plus when dealing with a medical condition.
I do appreciate your input though Rose...I really do.
And When I was Referring to the "Diverticulosis" I was Referring to the Rest of your Colon that Had it, but was not Infected, If you have not had issues with the rest why take it out ? Thats what I was Talking about as far as People Living with this with No Issues...Not the Infected area..The Diverticulitis.
I Want you to have Hope, I Want that For everyone that Comes here...Hope is HUGE !! I Held it for awhile myself.
Most People that have an Attack NEVER go on to have another, I think I read that it is somewhere around only 10-15 percent of us who do..so Odds are In Your favor...that is Good !!
I re read what I wrote, and yea, it did come across a Bit negative, I am Normally NOT a Negative person..and I am Sorry I Came across that way..Just after what I went thru, and the Dr.s that were of NO help at all..I guess I get scared now..cause I Know when My GI Doc says "Just eat More Fiber" I Knew he had not Heard 1 thing I had said. And I Hear That alot from other people.
I Do Hope the Very best for you..Chances are very good this was a one time thing for you..Hugs !!
So, my doc has been wanting me to try new anti-depressants..so I did try one..I think it was called Celesta or something like that. WELL, after 3 to 5 days it was awful. I felt disoriented, my house looked unfamiliar to me, my community looked like a foreign city and I told him flatly NO WAY JOSE...I am NOT taking these. Listen, I told him...I am 68 years old. I doubt if I'll live to be 100, so why the big damn rush to take me off something that I am doing fine with and have done fine with for 30 plus years. It does not make sense to me at all.
So, we are going to have another round tomorrow when I phone him because he slipped in a prescription for some other one the other day to my pharmasist and I will be refusing to take it to. As far as I am aware a doctor cannot refuse you your medication as long as you are not abusing it. I only take one of them at night and it is no biggie. To try and make me take something new that my body is not used to is ludicrous.
Anyway, LOL....thought I'd share that with you. By the way Rose, my name is Lynda. I think it says in my profile somewhere, my hubby and I are foster parents to newborn babies and I hope to continue to do that until my body says "no more". I am in otherwise good health and plan to stay that way, God willing.
Take care Rose...keep in touch, as will I..in following the great topics that others post in the forum. Hugs to you and talk to you soon. xox
Hope all goes well with you too. The people on here...in this forum ...are wonderful and caring people, and lets face it we are all vulnerable when it comes to medical issues and no one should take for granted that they will never get sick...coz it does happen and when it does...it really blows you away !!
Hugs to you and your family and keep well.
He did a colonography AND a scope and if that is his decision that sobeit...I am NOT going to do anything to aggravate my colon or my digestive system...yes it is a dangerous disease, but I am sure he would have said "hey, lets just do it" if he thought that was right.
My intentions are to be positive here. NOT everyone has to have surgery...that I know for sure.
Take care