Diverticulitis attack recovery time?

[Caryn]

Hi,

I have a suspected case of div. I started having pain 14 days ago, followed by a one-day fever, and went to the doc after three days. Doc put me on Flagyl, which I could only take for a day before I started reacting. Went on Augmentin after that, was taken off Augmentin in the hospital for 2 days, then back on. After five days on Augmentin I am feeling a lot better but the pain isn't totally gone; when I press against my left side it still feels tender. Should I be concerned about this? I read for many people that symptoms disappear altogether within 2-4 days.

I also had stronger pain this morning, but the GI thought it was constipation due to the low-residue diet. The pain was relieved this morning when I had a bowel movement. How long should I stay on the low-residue diet for, and should I have regular bowel movements while on it? Before the low-residue diet, I was on a liquid diet for 3 days.

I am 32, and my mom had div when she was 34. At 38, she had 18 inches of her colon removed. I currently am self-employed w/out health insurance so I would like to avoid surgery at all costs until I can get a job with insurance. I figure I will be rejected at this point.

Also, my next doc appointment is in 6 days -- is this too long to wait?

Thanks, C

[Biker]

Caryn wrote:

Hi,
I have a suspected case of div. I started having pain 14 days ago, followed by a one-day fever, and went to the doc after three days. Doc put me on Flagyl, which I could only take for a day before I started reacting. Went on Augmentin after that, was taken off Augmentin in the hospital for 2 days, then back on. After five days on Augmentin I am feeling a lot better but the pain isn't totally gone; when I press against my left side it still feels tender. Should I be concerned about this? I read for many people that symptoms disappear altogether within 2-4 days.
I also had stronger pain this morning, but the GI thought it was constipation due to the low-residue diet. The pain was relieved this morning when I had a bowel movement. How long should I stay on the low-residue diet for, and should I have regular bowel movements while on it? Before the low-residue diet, I was on a liquid diet for 3 days.
I am 32, and my mom had div when she was 34. At 38, she had 18 inches of her colon removed. I currently am self-employed w/out health insurance so I would like to avoid surgery at all costs until I can get a job with insurance. I figure I will be rejected at this point.
Also, my next doc appointment is in 6 days -- is this too long to wait?
Thanks, C

Hi Caryn, I had 30 cms. removed from my colon about a year ago. I had two attacks of diverticulitus withing a year and a half of my operation. In both cases, I was on Flagyl and Cipro (I think) for ten days and spent some time in the hospital. I was told to give my self a break from high fiber for a while and give my self a chance to get back with it post hospital release. Don't do high fiber until you heal. But, don't get constipated either. Bad bad. Drink a lot of liquids and juice. If you pain went away after your BM, it could be because you were constipated and the area is still tender. Stay close to the doc though until you feel right again. You don't want to get infected. The big tell-tale sign is fever and chills along with the pain as your warning of things not being right. Did you still have those conditions too? There are others on this list that can give you great advice. Leo is one as well as a bunch of regulars you will see posting here. Hope that this helps. By the way, I believe that diver could be inherited. My dad had his resection at 57 and I had mine at 59. Above all, don't worry needlessly but play it safe.

[Caryn]

Thanks so much. I am so relieved to find this message board. My temp was low for a while [about 97.9-98.3] but it has been 98.6 for two days. No chills, but the tenderness concerns me. The doc was very unspecific about putting fiber back into my diet -- said it was up to me -- I assume a couple of grams is OK?

[Biker]

Caryn wrote:

Thanks so much. I am so relieved to find this message board. My temp was low for a while [about 97.9-98.3] but it has been 98.6 for two days. No chills, but the tenderness concerns me. The doc was very unspecific about putting fiber back into my diet -- said it was up to me -- I assume a couple of grams is OK?

Hi Caryn. Do what you think you can tolerate...slowly. Liquids are important after a recent episode or even surgery. It gives your plumbing a break and helps the whole process. A lot of people on this list are doing Cranberry juice with success. Don't worry. As long as you are not feverish with chills, I would say that infection is not an immediate concern. Diver is nasty and it could be the healing process you are going through. Just pay attention to what your body (and doctor) are telling you.

[Sharon]

The recovery can be slow. My husband didn't feel really well for close to 6 weeks. The antibiotics are nasty, he had trouble with the flagyl. He was able to work daily but not much more then that. He was very tired all the time. But, the good news is, you will make a full recovery. It just takes time!

[Caryn]

Thanks so much again for your input/advice. I am feeling the same, basically -- pretty worried but am trying not to focus on it. I decided to go back to work tomorrow to concentrate on something else.

Best,
Caryn

[Toria]

Drink lots of water, and juices help. Also fruits and vegetables are good too to keep from being constipated. Cooked vegetables might be the best now. To me, it does not sound like you were on antibiotics long enough, and the standard treatment appears to be cipro and flagyl.
It does take a long time for the pain to go away. I had a mild flare up in early December like on Dec. 3 and the pain did not go away until Dec. 20. I got a few chills at night too, very mild for a long time. I have been safe since thank god.

[Denyse]

I had an attack of diverticulitis 1 week ago. I was placed on Flagyl, and the pain was gone in two days. My problem is that now, any time I try to add any type of solid, low residue food to my diet, I develop diahrrea. Is this usual, and what has worked for you?

[Sara]

I developed diverticulosis last Friday, and was diagnosed in the hospital on Sunday. I am an Avelox and Flagyl (yuck). The pain is reduced, but consistently there. I've been staying away from fiber, and am having ok BMs. Is this lingering pain normal? I don't have a fever or chills. Just wondering how long this lingering pain will last.

[Ann]

I a colonoscopy last July. That Dr. told me atleast 10-12 inches of my colon was infected. He said I had a lot of Diverticulitis. He referred me to a surgeon. I had my operation in August. After the operation, the surgeon told me he only had to remove 8". Not even 2 months after the operation, I was in the emergency room with the same exact severe diverticulitis pain. Trust me, I know that pain!! The Dr. in the emergency room told me I had no diverticulitis. I am still in pain and it comes and goes mostly when I eat corn. I have scheduled an appointment to go and get checked again. Does anyone know how long it usually takes to get Diverticultis? Is a a slow progression? I beleive the surgeion didnt take out enough of y infected colon. Thank you.

[Frank]

I had my surgery to remove 10" of colon in Dec '06. To this day, I have still have not eaten corn, nuts, popcorn, seeds, etc. I even avoid seeds on buns as well as pickles, cucumbers, tomatos best as possible. Some seeds in soft pickles, tomatos, sausa are unavoidable but I do not subject myself to the obvious culprits.

[CAP]

Ann wrote:

I a colonoscopy last July. That Dr. told me atleast 10-12 inches of my colon was infected. He said I had a lot of Diverticulitis. He referred me to a surgeon. I had my operation in August. After the operation, the surgeon told me he only had to remove 8". Not even 2 months after the operation, I was in the emergency room with the same exact severe diverticulitis pain. Trust me, I know that pain!! The Dr. in the emergency room told me I had no diverticulitis. I am still in pain and it comes and goes mostly when I eat corn. I have scheduled an appointment to go and get checked again. Does anyone know how long it usually takes to get Diverticultis? Is a a slow progression? I beleive the surgeion didnt take out enough of y infected colon. Thank you.

Well I do know from what I've read in many articles it is caused by being constipated and forcing yourself. I ad 3 attacks over a one year period and went to see a surgeon. What did he want to do?, operate, of course he's a surgeon. Well I opted to see if I can get through this without an operation and it's been six months on no major attacks. One thing he did tell me is try to stay regular and don't force yourself when you do go. The pressure cause thses little pockets to bulge out of your intestines.
Well for ths last six months I've drank allot of cranberry juice and danactive pro-biotics, so far so good. Some ideas for you.
Thanks

[Cindy]

I was diagnosed w/div 21/2 weeks ago by my Internist after never having any problems in this area & took 1500 mg of Flagl & 1000 mg of Cipro for 10 days which nearly killed me. Last Thursday I saw a Colon Rectal Surgeon, hghly regarded in this city & he told me it can take up to 2 months for a colon to heal & I needed to keep doing what I was doing. I still have the same symptoms from the beginning except I am now on a nearly no fiber & low residue diet. I am so sick in the mornings & am lucky to work at home because my life now revolves around this. Does this sound normal to you experts out there?

[CAP]

Cindy wrote:

I was diagnosed w/div 21/2 weeks ago by my Internist after never having any problems in this area & took 1500 mg of Flagl & 1000 mg of Cipro for 10 days which nearly killed me. Last Thursday I saw a Colon Rectal Surgeon, hghly regarded in this city & he told me it can take up to 2 months for a colon to heal & I needed to keep doing what I was doing. I still have the same symptoms from the beginning except I am now on a nearly no fiber & low residue diet. I am so sick in the mornings & am lucky to work at home because my life now revolves around this. Does this sound normal to you experts out there?

Well I'll tell you Cindy it takes several weeks for all the antibiotic to flush out of your sustem. They say a few days but I know from experience it takes weeks to get back to normal.
If you haven't had a CT scan see if your GP will book one for you that will tell if the inflamation is still present and exactly how bad the di is? Like I said in my last postinf I'm drinking lots of cranberry juice and as much water as I can to try to keep this thing under control
Good Luck

[Sara]

Yes, your life certainly changes after the diagnosis. I am two weeks out from the diagnosis now, and the pain is reduced, but it is still there. I am terrified every time I eat. I am tying to maintain a low fiber diet for now, and avoiding seeds and nuts. It is hard, everything you eat has to be examined. I never know if a little pain I am having is going to turn into something worse. I feel paranoid all the time. I hope this paranoia goes away, it is monopolizing my life.

[Cindy]

My main problem which I know is probably contributing to this lingering is the emotional stress it creates; what you call paranoia. I am an anxious person anyway & still can't sleep anticipating if my stomach is going to hurt in the morning or during the night & will I be able to go to the bathroom & how drained am I going to be before the day even starts.+ with all the water I am drinking, I am up all night anyway. I am still on low fiber but increasing it little by little + I am certain I got this from seeds. I ate sesame seeds by the bagful & what for - fiber. What a ironic joke that is - I laugh in the middle of the night when I can't sleep - ha. I will never eat another seed, nut or any food that has seeds in it.

[Sara]

I really relate to that!!! I feel like I am worried all the time. Eating used to be fun, not I am fearful of it. I drink so much water, it is insane. I guess I'll try to chill out!

[Cyanne]

I spent the entire day in the Emergency Room from my first attack. They said it was a mild one. But they didn't see me the day before when the fever and pain were the worst.

My question is about strawberries. I just purchased a flat of strawberries. I know I can't eat them now but does anyone see a problem if I peel them and freeze them for when I start my high fiber diet? Isn't it just the seeds that are the problem?

[Sara]

I think if you peel them and make sure all the seeds are gone, you should be fine. No need for good strawberries to go to waste!

[Ray]

have had diviticultus for the last 10 momths. Was on flagal and had hospital treatment for 2 weeks. Found out that i am resistant to flagal. now on long term course for 8 weeks on vancomycin. a study in the usa has show that long term course works . have been on for 4 weeks now a big improvement. age 53.