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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Gastrointestinal System
/ Diverticulitis Support Group

So much so fast!!

NHGuy
NHGuy

Had my very first experience with D. 4/24/18.  It was a severe one and landed me in the hospital for 6 days with the possibility of surgery.  Not only did I have D. but it caused a blockage and a micropuncture in my colon.  Pretty serious diagnosis for a guy who is 53 years, never been sick, never been in the hospital, eats fruits and vegetables 7 days a week and drinks at least 2 litres of water daily and a 20-30 min walk 5-6 days a week.  Still scratching my head and bitter as to "WHY"?  We do all the right things and this happens.  My blockage passed and my puncture closed over while in the hospital so they sent me on my way with Antibiotics and a "soft" diet for 6-8 weeks.  The diet was tough because essentially the only thing you can eat is refined carbs and protein.  Had a follow up CT scan 6 weeks in and that part of my colon still looks in pretty bad shape so off to surgery I go on 6/20/18.  I understand that I cant keep asking why and going back to see what I could have done differently but thats a tough hurdle at this junction.

treefrog
treefrog
How did surgery go? I am wishing you a safe and swift recovery. Please update this post so we can follow your progress.
rosetintedglassesinrepairers57
rosetintedglassesinrepairers57
No doubt you are in hospital in recovery... I hope it went as expected with no unexpected surprises. I had elective surgery 5 weeks ago and a temp ileostomy... all rather strange to get used to! I know a number of people your age who have had bowel resections and had excellent recovery so stay strong and hope you will be feeling much better shortly.
koftheheart
koftheheart
NH Guy- Unfortunately - it could be genetic- or they say type "A" personality, or maybe too many antibiotics.I came across this on Facebook-called Pain Free Foods Support Group. They also have a website:www.diverticulitispainfreefoods.com They use a combined way of eating and you can’t eat certain foods with other. I ordered the book and started the plan. I also keep a food journal to see what is causing my flare-ups. Believe me its a different way of eating, but I get a lot of recipes off Pinterest ( I went vegetarian). I also take 2 different Probiotics, Udo’s oil 3-6-9, Turmeric, Magnesium, K2, COQ10, a greens powder, slippery elm, before I eat at every meal, and just started CBD oil. I feel great now, it took some time like I said to figure it out, but NO SURGERY for me. And those antibiotics, I tell the hospital I’m allergic to them (they are awful). Get the book and do the way of eating, its explained in the book, we are different then normal people and will have this disease for life, so try it what have you got to lose- Good luck!
HereKittyKitty
HereKittyKitty
I seems to be heriditary since reconnection with estranged family on ancestry.com is seems my mothers side all have his same problem and have all had resec surgery to correct the worst symptoms - I also inheridited from my dad my stomach ulser and digiphram hernia :-(
Greeneyes59
Greeneyes59
NHGuy,

How did surgery go, I was just diagnosed, and I had the surgeon explain I should get the surgery done but to be honest I am worried about the outcome, so any input on yours may help me make my mind up.?
marwoz
marwoz
With my first bout of diverticulitis I spent four days in the hospital on an antiobiotic "drip", followed by 10 days of oral antiobiotic and then 8 weeks of low residue diet.. My surgeon (from a prior issue) recommended the ileostomy, but my gastro guy said there's no guarantee that I would have a recurrence and recommended NO surgery. I opted for no surgery. In the beginning of January I had one more bout, but didn't need hospitalization. I was on two oral antiobiotics for 10 days. It did get better and I'm now doing the low residue diet (during antibiotics I was primarily doing liquids to give my colon a rest).

I'm wondering if anyone has had experience with this repeatedly and if maybe I SHOULD consider the surgery. I'm tired of living in fear...and I've gained weight from not having fruits, veg, salads.

Feeling defeated....