Diverticulitis. Ever normal again?

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-05-2003
Diverticulitis. Ever normal again?
10
Wed, 08-17-2005 - 9:17am

In March, 2005, I had a mild case of Diviterculitis. No medicine was given. I just followed a diet for two weeks. Well, yesterday it all started out with minor pain and by the end of the day, I was doubled over in cramps with diarrhea and misery. Was able to see the doctor around 8:00 PM. She prescribed Ciprofloxacin HCL 500 mg for ten days and scheduled a recheck in a week along with the ever popular colonscopy. I assume this condition never really goes away, does it? This morning, so far, I have no cramps, but then I really haven't eaten anything since around noon yesterday. Guess I'm afraid to eat. I have been drinking water. It feels a lot better so far today, although I feel a slight ache on the lower left when I walk. Has anyone taken this particular medication? Does anyone have any success stories with diverticulitis? I'm very, very concerned about this colonscopy. I'm so afraid they will find something awful. I was diagnosed with breast cancer eighteen years ago, and supposedly it was just a biopsy to check out a cyst. Then - double mastectomy and a year's worth of chemo. What a nightmare. I'm fraid to go for any kind of tests. I feel like an old car. A mechanic always finds something wrong.

Thanks for listening.

Terry

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Wed, 08-17-2005 - 7:02pm

Hi and Welcome to iVillage Terry

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2003
Wed, 08-17-2005 - 8:54pm

Hi Terry!!


Sorry to hear you are having problems.

 
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Thu, 08-18-2005 - 7:03pm

Couldn't of said it any better..


Processed

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-05-2003
Mon, 08-22-2005 - 11:18am

Thanks so much for your responses. I really appreciate them. I have a recheck tomorrow evening. I have been taking the antibiotic, and there has been a lot of improvement. I have been sort of "winging" it, using what the doctor told me the first time the diverticulitis showed up in March. First, using a low fiber diet for two weeks - then a high fiber one after. However, only one week has gone by since the onset of this second diverticulitis attack. Ugh! What an awful disease. Went to the movies the other evening and couldn't have my very favorite food -- popcorn. I survived, however, even though I could hear my dh munching away on a big bag of buttered popcorn. I didn't even have one kernel.

I will be a wreck until this colonscopy is over with. Do all diverticulitis patients have multiple colonoscopies? Has anyone been recommended to take something like Metamucil or such extra fiber supplements? I certainly will start a high-fiber diet if that will help prevent these attacks. They are just awful. Thanks again for all your responses. They help more than you know.

Terry

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Mon, 08-22-2005 - 7:18pm

Terry,

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-05-2003
Tue, 08-23-2005 - 9:43am

Thank you, Wren 53. You've help make me feel a lot better. Is your hubby under 50 years of age? Maybe that's why the docs haven't nagged him about the colonoscopy. They recommend everyone over 50 have one. My hubby refuses to go for one, and his doctor just said it was his job to recommend it but not force him to go. Anyway, it sounds like your hubby is keeping the diverticulitis under control - with your help. Believe me, I will eat and drink whatever it takes not to have another attack. Oh....did your hubby have just the one attack? Was he hospitalized? How long ago was that? Sorry for the questions. Hope its ok to ask.

Thanks, Terry

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Tue, 08-23-2005 - 11:57am

Terry,

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2003
Tue, 08-23-2005 - 8:53pm

Terry,


Listen to Wren.

 
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-05-2003
Thu, 08-25-2005 - 8:06am

Thanks so much for your responses and advice. You can bet I will be eating a lot of fiber. The rice cakes are a good idea for the movies. Thank you, again.

Terry

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Thu, 08-25-2005 - 9:48am

Rice cakes

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B