diverticulitis - Bowel Disorders Message Board

rfriend · 12-21-2003, 01:00 PM

Can anyone realte to me. I am a 27 year old female and have my third case of diverticulitis since the end of July, one of which has put me in the hospital. I don't have much the thehistory that they belive leads to diverticular diease. I have never been constipated in my life, however I have a very spastic bowel and have several BMs a day. I have also been a vegitraian for 16 years. But I have had every test to confirm that I have diverticular disease/diverticulitis. My doctor has advised me that surgery is highly reccomended and I agree. The problem is that he wants to wait until I have been clear of infection for 8 weeks before surgery. I finish my last dose of antibiotics tommrow for the most recent case and things are not looking much better. I am so tired of being sick I feel like it is running my life. Has anyone out there had the resection surgery for this reason? And do you think that it was the right decision? I welcome any encourging advise from anyone. Please help!!
Thanks, Rfriend.

Harry · 12-21-2003, 10:17 PM

The best thing to do now is start taking a water soluble fiber supplement like Metamucil twice daily. It is safe to take daily , will bulk up your stool and clean out your colon resulting in keeping your divericular cleaner and less infection problems.

It's worth a try before you consider colon surgery.

God bless---Harry

auntjudyg · 12-22-2003, 07:45 AM

When I was diagnosed, it was quite a surprise. I thought the one thing that worked well was my colon. I ate a fair amount of fiber (certainly much more than average), was always very regular, so who knows? Like so many things, there is a hereditary component for many. It ends up my grandmother had diverticulosis and her uncle died bowel infection, and I have meant to check out other branches of the family, but haven't so far.

Being a vegetarian, it is difficult to believe you are not getting at least close to the recommended 20-30 grams of fiber. Do you eat yogurt regularly and some raw fruits and veggies to get nice enzymes into your system.

The one thing I have found helpful that might not be adequate in a vegetarian diet is sufficient good fat. Do you tend towards low fat? Do you take or would you consider a fish oil supplement?

unclem · 12-22-2003, 09:26 AM

Hi,
I am recovering from my colon resection now. I had the surgery on 12/8/03. I will tell you that it was the best decision I made in years.

I'm sure your doctor has you on a low residue diet right now.
(no fruits, veggies, whole grain products) To get things calmed down.

I would seek out a surgeon and speak with him or her.
My surgeon recommended to treat my diverticular disease medically before finally recommending surgery. He put me on a high fiber diet but I had another attack within 6 months.

I'm feeling better than I have in 5 years when my diverticulitis first put me in the hospital. I would give surgery serious consideration especially considering your age. Hopefully, you'll find a good LAP surgeon as I did.
Best of luck to you and I hope you feel better.

deortiz · 12-23-2003, 03:08 PM

Hi! My husband is also waiting to have colon resection surgery. Since he keeps gettings these episodes of diverticulitis, it looks like surgery is the way to go. We're also going to a naturopath in the mean time. Make sure you get a good colon surgeon who works out of a good hospital. Hope everything works well for you.
Regards, DEO