Harry! More advice???? - Bowel Disorders Message Board

caymangirl · 08-14-2002, 11:02 AM

Two or three weeks ago I experienced pain (a somewhat discomforting distress)in my left side of my stomach. I had gone to the Gastroenterologist back in June 2002 for a consultation because I was getting red blood from the bowel movements. I was not sure if there was also in the bowel movement itself because it is hard to tell. The doctor scheduled a colonoscopy for me (which was late last week) The findings were diverticulosis. Because I did not feel the pain in the left side at the time I had the consultation I spoke to the nurse and she had his associate call. So right before the procedure before he sedated me I told him about the pain in my left side. I was also getting pain in my left side of my back and the middle. He took a biopsy although there were no known polyps from what the nurse told me. I still do not know why the doctor took the biopsy.
My appology for too many questions which you not obligated to answer. I just figured since you had the condition your well experience as any doctor to answere my questions.

My question to you would be: Does the pain in the left side necessarily indicate a potential for infection or just and indication of the condition of diverticulosis? Might you know why he did the biopsy when there were no presence of polyps?

Where you given any other tests after the colonoscopy?
like upper GI or the barium enema Or does that depend on who your doctor is?

Again my appologies for too many questions.

Harry · 08-15-2002, 02:04 PM

Hi cay,

It is not unusual to have a biopsy during a colon exam. You don't have to have polyps --you can have discoloration ----called hyperpastic and he is just being cautious.

Most diverticuars are on your left side colon(sigmoid). If a diverticular becomes infected it is called divericulitis and it is very localized ---like you can put your finger on it and say it hurts right here---Ver---y painful!!! You may need an antibiotic if you have fever or your(blood test) white blood count level is high--- indicating an infection. General type pain is caused by cramps/spasm or gas.

Diverticulosis by itself is not painful as long as it's not inflammed or infected. Even bleeding diverticulars are not painful.

Usually no other test is necessary except -- a CBC blood test.

I suggest you start taking the Fiber to keep your little pockets clean. Once you have divertiulars ---it's not reversable but I guess you know that!!!

God Bless---Harry

caymangirl · 08-15-2002, 07:50 PM

Thank you Harry! I appreciate you replying back.

I don't seem to be running a fever, however, still have discomforting feeling on the left side in that localized area. My RBC and my WBC were low in the (refernced range they have on the lab report)

I am being a good girl and taking my Fiber. In fact, I started taking Metamucil twice a day.

I don't know what I do without this Health Boards or the internet for that matter. I started out most of the time just reading the posts. There is just so much information out there. A person just has to no what to look for.

Well Harry thanks very much. Hope to hear from you or read more of your posts. I though at first since your last post that I saw was around April that you might have not been participating anymore.

God Bless you also and keep well
caymangirl

Harry · 08-15-2002, 09:17 PM

Caymangirl,

I look at this board daily. As you may know I have had a long history of diverticular problems. But, not anymore---I had 2 1/2 feet of my colon surgically removed on March 4 because of chronic diverticular bleeding. My hemoglobin went from 15+ to 8.4 in 4 1/2 hours and I passed out in the ER. My recovery has been up and down but getting my hemoglobin back to normal has been a problem along with my Ferritin level (Iron Protein). It takes many months but I'm doing OK. It just limits some activities.

My suggestion would be to get that part of your colon that has the divertiulars present--- removed when you're young and in pretty good health. Alot of people live normal lives with this condition but I had problems for 35 years---- less problems using fiber--- Metamucil. If it continues to give you problems --- consult your Doctor!!! And, get something done!!!

God Bless---Harry

[This message has been edited by Harry (edited 08-15-2002).]