Captain77450,

Thank you for your replies.

I began a diverticulitis attack early Friday morning --- 3 days ago. This is my 5th attack. The antibiotics really seemed to be doing their job, and the severe pain had lessened considerably. So I posted this Advice post "When is surgery a good choice by some of us?" primarily because I would be seeing my new GI specialist early this week and I wanted to prepare for a further discussion of elective colon resection with him.

I have had 1 colonoscopy --- about 3 years ago. I believe my new specialist will want to perform another one soon --- I certainly
want to have another one before having a surgeon do a resection.

The 1 colonoscopy 3 years ago revealed:
- Diverticulosis of the sigmoid colon and the descending colon
- No IBD or tumor
- Grade 1 internal hemorrhoids

This latest diverticulitis attack was much more painful than my previous ones. I was unable to get out of bed without my wife's
assistance --- pulling me up --- because the pain was so raw.

This word Denial is on my mind these days. And I think about it a lot. Example of why:
My original GI specialist who never hinted to me that maybe I should consider or eventually need surgery for this ongoing problem even though he was my specialist for attacks 2 through 4.

RichFL

One of my reasons for posting this Advice post was to try to learn more about the "persistent abdominal pain" that the NIH posted study says that 22% of colon resection patients complain of.

I know almost nothing about this pain. How severe it can be, etc.

Can anyone tell me about this "persistent abdominal pain" ??

Thank you, RichFL

Captain77450,

I am really thinking about you right now, and your surgery in 3 days. I will be thinking of you a lot these days.

RichFL

I had an uncomplicated laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy 2 years ago. My surgeon told me that this was "the cure" and recurrence risk was less than 10%. As to lingering pain, I have none to speak of...just an occasional "twinge" where my sigmoid used to be...not really pain...just something that gets my attention. My RN wife says it may be "phantom pain" from the nerves in that area. For about 6 months after surgery, I felt good, but occasionally "overdid" it doing yard work or walking, which resulted in transient soreness in the abdomen. But within 24-48 hrs I was fine. I think that is normal with any abdominal surgery until the muscles heal completely. I am trying to stay on a high fiber diet, but it does produce a lot of gas. Like any surgery, there is risk of complications. But I knew I could not continue to live like i was. Like I have said before...today I am completely "normal"...like it never happened. Good luck.

Dear Rich and Capt. I had a colectomy in July 09 and except for some gas issues I feel great. I didn't realize how run down I was during all of the recurring attacks until I now feel so good. Since Jan. 08 after my first diagnosed attack (when I went to the ER) I tried meds, garlic, probiotics, diet, and so many approaches in order to cure it to no avail. Now, 9 mos since the surgery I know it was the best thing for me. Good luck.

Captain,

Thank you for finding and sharing this article with me. It does address some of my questions/concerns.

I wish you a speedy recovery from your surgery.

RichFL

Scoutldr,

Thank you for your post. You gave me a very reassuring answer regarding possible pain after the surgery. I am really hoping to have the same success story you are living right now.

RichFL

Spunkie,

Thanks for sharing your surgery experience and outcome with me. I had been trying high fiber, meds, and probiotics to keep flare ups away ---but I am still having them.

RichFL

I started this Advice post discussion 8 days ago at the beginning of a flare up of diverticulitis. I have had at least 5 of these attacks now. This one was by far the worst one yet --- much pain. I feel somewhat lucky that it was "uncomplicated". And I am lucky that my wonderful wife was able to help me get up and move around each time I needed to.

Everyone has done an excellent job of sharing information with me and telling me their story.

I told my specialist a few days ago that my mind is now open to having the elective colon resection he asked me to consider. My understanding is I will have a new colonoscopy in about 2 months from now to give this flare up time to calm down and then surgery likely in about 3 months time. It is difficult for me to type those words and to accept/admit the truth that I want to elect to have this surgery.

RichFL

You'd be better off saying you have been strongly advised to have this surgery for the sake of the insurance company. They'll do everything they can to get out of having to pay for this. If you "elect" to have this surgery the insurance company may say it is not "necessary".

You never know these days. Tread lightly and move forward but be cautious and these vampires (aka insurance companies) will do anything to avoid paying the bill. :(

Best of luck regardless.

Hope4acure,

Your word choice advice is much appreciated.

I am very new to reading about and communicating about diverticulitis and colon resection surgery. When I when I was using the word "elective" to communicate in this Advice dission group, I was using the very terminology used in the surgeons' and doctors' studies to differentiate between emergency and non-emergency surgery.

But your advice is on target and well advised.

RichFL

Hi RichFL, Yes, I think we all hope to avoid surgery and hope to find a "cure". Like you, I would think I was better and then I was back on the harsh meds - feel better & repeat the cycle. All the while dragging my ass through the days. Finally gave in to the surgery which went well and the actual time to get my energy back was a few months. As I mentioned, now 9 mos later I feel so good. I think the Colostrum that I take might be building my immune system and the acidophilus might be helping my colon. It was definitely good for me. Take care..

I had resection surgery 16th of march and am feeling great. Like you, I was diagnosed in my forties (47) and suffered attacks about twice each year until the last one which nearly killed me. My Dr didn't recommend surgery either until I asked him to refer me to a surgeon after thirteen years of suffering. I knew after my last attack I wouldn't live through another so I went to work on it, got the referal, saw the surgeon who did a colonoscopy which he couldn't complete because of the number of tics, then right in for barium enema and later CT scans.
When he cut me open he had a good idea what needed to be done and removed my entire sigmoid via lapro surgery.
The surgeon told me the sigmoid wasn't even functioning. It was all rubbery and the tics were translucent which meant one could rupture any time. There could not have been any parastallsis in the sigmoid in that condition so the only way I was moving fecal material out of me was by the parastallsis of the descending colon pushing it through.
Recurring bouts of diverticulitis do a lot of damage to the colon tissue leaving it scarred which is what made mine rubbery. It was all scar tissue.
Most tics are localized in the sigmoid. If you have no other tics and the sigmoid is removed, with proper diet you'll not likely get anymore tics developing. This is because the sigmoid stretches and the rest of the colon does not so tics are less likely to form anywhere else. They do however, sometimes form as far back in the colon as the appendix but this is very rare.
My surgeon's stats for recurrance do not reflect the numbers in your post. These numbers probably include full open surgery as well as lapro or maybe lapro isn't even considered in these statistics. With lapro, if done correctly, one should live a normal life after surgery. The way I feel right now, 7 weeks out, I'm not worried about any more diverticulitis. This is not to say one won't get colon infections which hurt the same as diverticulitis attacks. But if your diet is good with plenty of fiber and water, with the sigmoid removed, any infections are probably not due to the presence of tics.

Good luck!

Gavas,

Thanks for sharing your experience with me, and your insights.

RichFL