izzy1
06-04-2007, 11:13 PM
Hello,
I am 45 and newly diagnosed with diverticulitis, for which I just had surgery. A few weeks ago, I had bad pain under my left ribcage, which eventually sent me to the ER. A CT scan revealed it was diverticulitis, which blew me away because I had never had any symptoms. The plan was to give me IV antibiotics for a few days and then remove the diseased part of the colon. By the next day, my white count was up, my temp was up, and the surgery was done right away. Afterwards, the surgeon confirmed that it had ruptured, so I am grateful he made the decision to go ahead with surgery, even though it meant a temporary colostomy.
Honestly, a colostomy is not as big a deal as people think it would be. One of my nurses said, "think of it as your new butt." and another said "that saved your life", which was a dose of reality. So trust me, if you ever need one, it's not that bad. The incision has been --much--more problematic than the colostomy. It became infected, just after I left the hospital. My husband does the daily dressing changes for me. Thank God, he is not squeamish and handles it like a pro. I've never seen him take anything as seriously as he takes this. Early on, I cried, because I didn't want to put him in the role of caregiver.
I have been trying to find out all I can about how to eat after this is all over and will definitely add Metamucil daily (I never considered myself constipated but I know my diet did not include enough fiber). I'm also wondering about how to eat right now. I am supplementing my diet with protein drinks for healing and also taking probiotics since I was on so many antibiotics. Do you think I should start Metamucil now (surgery was three and a half weeks ago)?
My other questions involve what food to avoid. I read "avoid what bothers you" but I didn't have any symptoms before, so I don't know what "bother" means. A stomach pain? I would like to avoid that! I don't want to fear food in general but will probably avoid seeds and nuts. The doctor says I won't have to avoid anything, as all diverticular disease will be removed, but couldn't more develop? I do not want to go through this again!
And lastly, I will have 18 inches of colon removed. In what ways does this effect your digestion?
Thanks so much for reading this and for any advice. I think it has been helpful to me to write down my story to sort it all out in my head.
Andrea
I am 45 and newly diagnosed with diverticulitis, for which I just had surgery. A few weeks ago, I had bad pain under my left ribcage, which eventually sent me to the ER. A CT scan revealed it was diverticulitis, which blew me away because I had never had any symptoms. The plan was to give me IV antibiotics for a few days and then remove the diseased part of the colon. By the next day, my white count was up, my temp was up, and the surgery was done right away. Afterwards, the surgeon confirmed that it had ruptured, so I am grateful he made the decision to go ahead with surgery, even though it meant a temporary colostomy.
Honestly, a colostomy is not as big a deal as people think it would be. One of my nurses said, "think of it as your new butt." and another said "that saved your life", which was a dose of reality. So trust me, if you ever need one, it's not that bad. The incision has been --much--more problematic than the colostomy. It became infected, just after I left the hospital. My husband does the daily dressing changes for me. Thank God, he is not squeamish and handles it like a pro. I've never seen him take anything as seriously as he takes this. Early on, I cried, because I didn't want to put him in the role of caregiver.
I have been trying to find out all I can about how to eat after this is all over and will definitely add Metamucil daily (I never considered myself constipated but I know my diet did not include enough fiber). I'm also wondering about how to eat right now. I am supplementing my diet with protein drinks for healing and also taking probiotics since I was on so many antibiotics. Do you think I should start Metamucil now (surgery was three and a half weeks ago)?
My other questions involve what food to avoid. I read "avoid what bothers you" but I didn't have any symptoms before, so I don't know what "bother" means. A stomach pain? I would like to avoid that! I don't want to fear food in general but will probably avoid seeds and nuts. The doctor says I won't have to avoid anything, as all diverticular disease will be removed, but couldn't more develop? I do not want to go through this again!
And lastly, I will have 18 inches of colon removed. In what ways does this effect your digestion?
Thanks so much for reading this and for any advice. I think it has been helpful to me to write down my story to sort it all out in my head.
Andrea
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MrsQueeZ
06-06-2007, 06:23 AM
So sorry to hear about your sudden problems! Mine was more coming on gradually and eventually being a constant problem. I didn't have a colostomy, but I did have 18 inches removed. I honestly have to say after 18 months or so, I do not notice any difference from what I remember as normal, although that was a long time ago! One food that I still cannot eat is popcorn!! I have had diarrhea in the middle of the night, as well as vomiting, from regular popcorn. I have found that I tolerate the low hull varieties quite nicely though. Other than that, I have added everything back into my diet. I had a setback at about the 12 month mark. I had pain on the lower left, felt exhausted, diarrhea for at least 2 months. I never did figure out what was going on there, but it was gone as suddenly as it started! I added foods back rather quickly after the surgery. How I took the "foods that bother you" was, if it sounded good, I ate it. And if it didn't make my stomach or the rest of my digestion upset, I figured I was OK. It was hardest to add back in fresh fruits and vegetables as I had been on low residue for months before my surgery. So those caused a lot of gas and rumbling, but I eventually got to where I could handle those as well. I would ask your doctor about adding the Metamucil at this stage in your recovery, as I am not familiar with any colostomy care and cautions you may have. God Bless you, and keep us posted as to how you are doing!!! When are you due for your reversal?
izzy1
06-06-2007, 04:19 PM
Thanks for your help, Mrs Queez.
I am not sure yet when the reversal will be, but the doctor anticipates that I will be healed enough to have it done at the end of June. I have an appointment tomorrow and I have lots of questions for him.
Speaking of popcorn, I ate it a lot. I was on Weight Watchers and popcorn is an approved snack. I will never eat it again! Maybe that did it and maybe it didn't, but I'm not taking any chances. I can live perfectly contentedly without popcorn!
I am happy to have found this board. It helps to talk to people who have been there.
I am not sure yet when the reversal will be, but the doctor anticipates that I will be healed enough to have it done at the end of June. I have an appointment tomorrow and I have lots of questions for him.
Speaking of popcorn, I ate it a lot. I was on Weight Watchers and popcorn is an approved snack. I will never eat it again! Maybe that did it and maybe it didn't, but I'm not taking any chances. I can live perfectly contentedly without popcorn!
I am happy to have found this board. It helps to talk to people who have been there.
DiverGal
06-07-2007, 12:12 PM
Hi Izzy! I had surgery for diverticulitis a few years ago and this board was a huge help and source of information for me. Like you, I hadn't known I had problems. I thought I was having female trouble!
My surgeon told me I could eat anything I liked (I lost 8 inches), but might as well avoid popcorn, corn and nuts. He has diverticulitis himself, so I figured that was good advice. I do sneak a few nuts at Christmastime, though. :angel: Like MrsQueez, I found it took a couple months to build up to eating fruits and veggies without the gas and bloating, but now I'm like anyone else with that stuff. I make a point of eating lots of fiber, which keeps movements regular and soft so I don't strain. My favorite foods are beans and a certain brand of tortillas that have enough fiber that one a day is more fiber than most people eat in three meals. Good stuff. Lots of fruits and veggies, too. I think my improved diet is the main reason I've lost 40 pounds since my surgery. That and my surgeon's advice to take a nice walk every day because walking stimulates the colon to move regularly. :)
Best of luck with your recovery!
My surgeon told me I could eat anything I liked (I lost 8 inches), but might as well avoid popcorn, corn and nuts. He has diverticulitis himself, so I figured that was good advice. I do sneak a few nuts at Christmastime, though. :angel: Like MrsQueez, I found it took a couple months to build up to eating fruits and veggies without the gas and bloating, but now I'm like anyone else with that stuff. I make a point of eating lots of fiber, which keeps movements regular and soft so I don't strain. My favorite foods are beans and a certain brand of tortillas that have enough fiber that one a day is more fiber than most people eat in three meals. Good stuff. Lots of fruits and veggies, too. I think my improved diet is the main reason I've lost 40 pounds since my surgery. That and my surgeon's advice to take a nice walk every day because walking stimulates the colon to move regularly. :)
Best of luck with your recovery!
Princesspeapod
06-07-2007, 06:46 PM
Sorry to hear about your troubles but glad you're on the mend. I too had a resection a few years ago, my 3 year anniversary is coming up soon. If it were me I would definitely wait a little longer on the metamucil and be very careful with that stuff. If you don't drink enough water while taking it the results can be pretty unpleasant. You don't want a bowel blockage. I use Fibersure which seems to be more gentle to my system.
After the resection they tell you that you can pretty much eat anything, which I do within reason. Of course a whole food diet with minimally processed foods is best for anyone, not just us resectees so that's what I aim for. I think common sense and personal experience will be your best guideline. If you eat a certain food and feel discomfort refrain from eating that food again, at least for a while. It will take several months or more for your G.I. system to settle down after the last surgery is complete so play it by ear until then. I do know that gooey cheeses such as mozzarella on pizza can really slow things down so I try to avoid those as much as possible.
As far as digestion after losing 18", I can't say for sure since I only had 8" out but my digestion seems the same as it always was. I'm pretty sure all digestion has occurred before the large intestine and that is where the water is removed from the stool, so you might have diarrhea??? Best of luck to you and make sure to get the doctor's ok about the metamucil first. :)
After the resection they tell you that you can pretty much eat anything, which I do within reason. Of course a whole food diet with minimally processed foods is best for anyone, not just us resectees so that's what I aim for. I think common sense and personal experience will be your best guideline. If you eat a certain food and feel discomfort refrain from eating that food again, at least for a while. It will take several months or more for your G.I. system to settle down after the last surgery is complete so play it by ear until then. I do know that gooey cheeses such as mozzarella on pizza can really slow things down so I try to avoid those as much as possible.
As far as digestion after losing 18", I can't say for sure since I only had 8" out but my digestion seems the same as it always was. I'm pretty sure all digestion has occurred before the large intestine and that is where the water is removed from the stool, so you might have diarrhea??? Best of luck to you and make sure to get the doctor's ok about the metamucil first. :)
maggiemoo
06-08-2007, 12:04 AM
Hi Izzy,
Welcome to the board. I also didn't know that I had diverticulitis until I had a perforation. I thought my cramps were from stress I was lucky to avoid emergency surgery. I healed with IV antibiotics but ended up with a resection a couple of months later. The follow-up colonoscopy showed extensive diverticulosis.
My doctor also said that I could eat anything but like Renata, popcorn also gave me diarrhea. I eat very little of it--figure it was trying to tell me something. I have been eating a lot of nuts lately and have noticed some crampy feelings. I'm swearing off of them for awhile.
Since you have a colostomy, get your doctor's approval before adding Metamucil. I do take Metamucil every day. My surgeon believes it it important for "things to keep moving on through". She really thinks that everyone should take it not just us resecties.
How are you feeling? Sounds like you have a great attitude.
Maggie
Welcome to the board. I also didn't know that I had diverticulitis until I had a perforation. I thought my cramps were from stress I was lucky to avoid emergency surgery. I healed with IV antibiotics but ended up with a resection a couple of months later. The follow-up colonoscopy showed extensive diverticulosis.
My doctor also said that I could eat anything but like Renata, popcorn also gave me diarrhea. I eat very little of it--figure it was trying to tell me something. I have been eating a lot of nuts lately and have noticed some crampy feelings. I'm swearing off of them for awhile.
Since you have a colostomy, get your doctor's approval before adding Metamucil. I do take Metamucil every day. My surgeon believes it it important for "things to keep moving on through". She really thinks that everyone should take it not just us resecties.
How are you feeling? Sounds like you have a great attitude.
Maggie
izzy1
06-08-2007, 02:36 PM
Hi everyone and thank you for your advice and for welcoming me. I saw the surgeon yesterday and he says the incision is looking good and continuing to heal well. He had suggested that I add protein to speed healing, so I drink protein powder in orange juice once a day, or twice if I haven't eaten much that day.
We have scheduled the resection for June 21. I thought I would feel nervous about facing surgery again, but at least for now, two weeks out, I'm looking forward to getting it over with. I think it helps that it will be laproscopic....so I'm hoping for an easier recovery. I expect the nervousness will probably come...just not yet.
I asked him about the Metamucil and he said it would be fine to start now, but I don't feel ready yet, so I am going to wait. I've been trying to add vegetables back into my diet in the past few days (when I first started eating I was living on mashed potatoes :dizzy: ), so my digestion is feeling like it's "in overdrive" already.
Thank you for thinking I've got a positive attitude. I'm trying! I definitely have my private "melt downs" but for the most part, I'm thankful this is being taken care of.
We have scheduled the resection for June 21. I thought I would feel nervous about facing surgery again, but at least for now, two weeks out, I'm looking forward to getting it over with. I think it helps that it will be laproscopic....so I'm hoping for an easier recovery. I expect the nervousness will probably come...just not yet.
I asked him about the Metamucil and he said it would be fine to start now, but I don't feel ready yet, so I am going to wait. I've been trying to add vegetables back into my diet in the past few days (when I first started eating I was living on mashed potatoes :dizzy: ), so my digestion is feeling like it's "in overdrive" already.
Thank you for thinking I've got a positive attitude. I'm trying! I definitely have my private "melt downs" but for the most part, I'm thankful this is being taken care of.
izzy1
06-08-2007, 02:54 PM
And Maggie,
I'm feeling good, thanks. I still take things pretty easy, but I feel good.
I'm feeling good, thanks. I still take things pretty easy, but I feel good.