OT: Diverticulosis

[UconnAlum04]

I had it this year. Got a bad infection- thought is was just a stomach ache from traveling a lot- almost died.
Spent 10 days in hospital- once infection was under control had surgery 30 days later to remove part of my colon. Fun.
Very treatable if caught early and can be treated with diet changes if your not an idiot like me and hate going to doctor. ( My friends tried calling me semi colon for about 5 minutes before they realized I was no longer returning their text messages ).
Lots of degrees - mine was severe some are not that big a deal. Hoping Geno falls into the "not a big deal" category. Took me a about a month to get back to normal after.

Wow, glad you're doing ok now.

What diet changes do you recommend to get it under control and avoid needing surgery.
I found a bunch of links, but would rather get first hand knowledge!

 

[WallStreetHusky]

I had colon resection surgery for this about 5 years ago. I really didn't get any diet advice and didn't change my diet post surgery, and knock wood, no problems. I have read recently that the no popcorn/seeds/nuts thing is a fallacy. It's just a kink in your colon. Also, while diet w fiber is recommended if you have an attack my GI said that's the worst thing right after an attack since fiber will just further inflame your colon. Wait a month THEN introduce fiber. I personally found the surgery pretty simple. 3 day hospitalization and back to work in 2 weeks. The key is if you have an attack to get the surgery. Once you have an attack you tend to get it again and if they do the emergency surgery you wear a bag for a few months until they can reaattach your colon. Fun fact, my surgeon did Springsteens colon surgery (seriously) and gets backstage passes anytime he plays in NY/NJ. My biggest advice is nut up and get the surgery electively. I was going into septic shock with mine and was a couple of hours from pushing daisies. Not worth it.

 

[Rocktheworld]

now I’m getting ads with colons and intestines all over

Glad that this turned in to a semicolon support group

 

[Dove]

I had it this year. Got a bad infection- thought is was just a stomach ache from traveling a lot- almost died.
Spent 10 days in hospital- once infection was under control had surgery 30 days later to remove part of my colon. Fun.
Very treatable if caught early and can be treated with diet changes if your not an idiot like me and hate going to doctor. ( My friends tried calling me semi colon for about 5 minutes before they realized I was no longer returning their text messages ).
Lots of degrees - mine was severe some are not that big a deal. Hoping Geno falls into the "not a big deal" category. Took me a about a month to get back to normal after.

Scot-e, glad we still have ya.

 

[August_West]

Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis are similar afflictions but VERY different in Potential severity.


I just had a colonoscopy a month ago . My gi told me he sees some form of diverticulosis in over. 60% of his patients over 50. ( luckily and surprisingly I’m all good on those fronts) It’s mostly not a big deal unless it’s bad and usually can be controlled with some diet changes. Diverticulitis is a different story.

 

[Rocktheworld]

Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis are similar afflictions but VERY different in Potential severity.


I just had a colonoscopy a month ago . My gi told me he sees some form of diverticulosis in over. 60% of his patients over 50. ( luckily and surprisingly I’m all good on those fronts) It’s mostly not a big deal unless it’s bad and usually can be controlled with some diet changes. Diverticulitis is a different story.

Michigan Arby’s: an essential for colon health

 

[August_West]

Michigan Arby’s: an essential for colon health

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

 

[Johnny Mac]

Anyone have experience with this. Went to ER at 3am last nite, and came out w this.

No more pepperoni pizza?

Take this seriously. My spouse didn't and needed emergency surgery to remove a perforated colon. I had the pleasure of being Mr. Colostomybag for 6 months. That, my friend, will test a relationship. Fully recovered but no more seeds or nuts...ever. No strawberries, tomatos, pickles, everything bagels, sesame seed hamburger buns, etc. Occasional trips to the ER for the rest of your life. Watched the Red Sox win the '13 WS from an ER in Washington state. Good times.

I should also mention that the hospital bills were well in excess of $500k. (I thank my employer for the excellent insurance benefits...paid about $10k out of pocket.)

Take it seriously.

 

[Hankster]

Anyone have experience with this. Went to ER at 3am last nite, and came out w this.

No more pepperoni pizza?

Experience it? The worse pain in my life. Spent a week in the hospital. Had to watch what I eat. No nuts, raw veggies. Later in years my doc said "well it hasn't been proven". For years now every 4-6 months I get these mini attacks. Immediately my doc calls the pharmacy and I take Metronidazole and Ciprofloxacin. One is 10 days the other 7. Cramps and constipation is unbearable. Once the medicine kicks in, you will feel fine. Until the next one. Oh I forgot to mention 5 years after my first attack I needed surgery. they too portion of my intestine which was riddled with Diverticulie(sp). Small pockets that collect matter, settle in a crevice and cause infection. When I was rushed to the emergency room, I was in extreme pain. I lay in the ER actually ripping my shirt sleeves with my teeth. I don't wish this on my worst enemy. Good luck. Colonoscopy will reveal whats going on. Also I had a colon reconstruction. Something like that.

 

[Hankster]

Take this seriously. My spouse didn't and needed emergency surgery to remove a perforated colon. I had the pleasure of being Mr. Colostomybag for 6 months. That, my friend, will test a relationship. Fully recovered but no more seeds or nuts...ever. No strawberries, tomatos, pickles, everything bagels, sesame seed hamburger buns, etc. Occasional trips to the ER for the rest of your life. Watched the Red Sox win the '13 WS from an ER in Washington state. Good times.

I should also mention that the hospital bills were well in excess of $500k. (I thank my employer for the excellent insurance benefits...paid about $10k out of pocket.)

Take it seriously.

NOOOOOOOOOOO, not my Everything Bagels!!!!

 

[Hankster]

Also my gastro doc said during these attacks use stool softeners, I did and I felt better but still needed the meds.

 

[Edward Sargent]

Anyone have experience with this. Went to ER at 3am last nite, and came out w this.

No more pepperoni pizza?

You and Geno

 

[CL82]

I had it this year. Got a bad infection- thought is was just a stomach ache from traveling a lot- almost died.
Spent 10 days in hospital- once infection was under control had surgery 30 days later to remove part of my colon. Fun.
Very treatable if caught early and can be treated with diet changes if your not an idiot like me and hate going to doctor. ( My friends tried calling me semi colon for about 5 minutes before they realized I was no longer returning their text messages ).
Lots of degrees - mine was severe some are not that big a deal. Hoping Geno falls into the "not a big deal" category. Took me a about a month to get back to normal after.

Wow. Glad to hear you are okay.

 

[husky99]

Pm me... give you a name of a good ct specialist.
Hit the fiber and lose weight (if needed)

 

[dennismenace]

OMG Sledog is Geno!!

Of course! He knows he can always get sound medical advice on the Boneyard.

 

[Scot-e]

Wow, glad you're doing ok now.

What diet changes do you recommend to get it under control and avoid needing surgery.
I found a bunch of links, but would rather get first hand knowledge!

I was told that high fiber is best. Fruits veggies proteins are all fine.You want to avoid anything food wise that can get “compacted” into the pockets that may remain or may form later.
This includes just about anything good. . Pizza - bread- dense sugar products. One thing that you hear is not to eat seeds- this is fortunately not true ( I love berries and was very happy).
In my case diet was not an option- I had too much fun over the years- but I try and limit the bad stuff now.

 

[Scot-e]

Experience it? The worse pain in my life. Spent a week in the hospital. Had to watch what I eat. No nuts, raw veggies. Later in years my doc said "well it hasn't been proven". For years now every 4-6 months I get these mini attacks. Immediately my doc calls the pharmacy and I take Metronidazole and Ciprofloxacin. One is 10 days the other 7. Cramps and constipation is unbearable. Once the medicine kicks in, you will feel fine. Until the next one. Oh I forgot to mention 5 years after my first attack I needed surgery. they too portion of my intestine which was riddled with Diverticulie(sp). Small pockets that collect matter, settle in a crevice and cause infection. When I was rushed to the emergency room, I was in extreme pain. I lay in the ER actually ripping my shirt sleeves with my teeth. I don't wish this on my worst enemy. Good luck. Colonoscopy will reveal whats going on. Also I had a colon reconstruction. Something like that.

I feel ya my fellow Huskie- hope you are improving. It’s not fun to go through.

 

[Dove]

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

@August_West

 

[don356]

Next stop, gall bladder. About as nasty sick as i can recall. Gall and/or kidney stones are awful.

 

[sledog]

I'll let u know if my colonosc shows pepr piazza chunks.

 

[Waquoit]

Geno's missing a game after an being inflicted.

 

[superjohn]

Yesterday I had the worst and only bout of constipation of my adult life, it was awful and I was hoping it was just a one off. I picked up a fiber supplement but I don't feel right. No stomach pain but I know when I have to go I won't be able to. Embarrassing to talk about but would something like MiraLax be my best option?

 

[don356]

I'd check with you doctor. You may have gall stones particularly if you get back and abdominal cramping along the rib line. You can get some crazy constipation like symptoms with that. Very, very common. Ultrasound will tell you. It starts and stop depending on diet.

 

[sledog]

Colonoscopy went ok. No concerns (ie, cancer, etc). Q on diet - eg, peproni pizza, etc = no GI problem. Check w my cardio about fat content. wha?? And this is from a NYC teach hospital. So what caused it??

Except for a period (a month?) of lower intenstial 'disquiet', no issues.

 

[Rocktheworld]

Colonoscopwha?? And this is from a NYC teach hospital. So what caused it??

We don’t know close to everything about the body and its pathophysiology; in this exact thread, people have posted new evidence that “seeds” and “nuts” and pepper and seasonings, statistically, do not exacerbate a diverticulitis/osis. This goes against all the old clinical wisdom.

Doctors aren’t encyclopedic computers and vice versa (yet)

This must be your first work-up for some significant medical issue

Not every “teaching hospital” is created equal, NY or anywhere.