Diverticulitis
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| Sun, 07-16-2006 - 8:05am |
Hi, Everyone. I'm so glad I found this Board. My brother is in the hospital and so far has been diagnosed with an abcess from a severe infection with diverticulitis. He is on an I.V. with antibiotics. He had a colonscopy a few weeks ago and a polyp was found, removed, and the pathology report said that was clear. The colonscopy did not catch the abcess. They are talking about draining it with a needle or such. The doctor said it is 4 x 7, but I don't know if that is in inches or what. My concerns are some things that don't sound related to the diverticulitis. One: he lost over 25 pounds in a few months. Two: he is having trouble urinating and constantly feeling he has to go but very little comes out. Three: He has no appetite and sleeps all the time. And Four: They say he lost a lot of blood somewhere and is very anemic. Could all that be part of the infection? I am very worried about him. He is my baby brother (61 years old). The doctors just gave him a little talk about how common the disease is. I have been diagnosed with diverticulitis a couple of years ago, but I fortunately have never had anything as severe as what he has. I have had two attacks - one treated with just diet, and one treated with antibiotics in pill form.
Do his symptons sound all related to the diverticulitis? Thanks for any input.

First of all, welcome! I am sorry your brother is sick, but let's try to answer your questions. Here is some info that might help you...http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/diverticulosis/
Is it possible that the abscess is a result of the colonoscopy? When the polyp was removed, the area may not have healed properly, resulting in this abscess...possibility?
The weight loss should be brought to his doctor's attention, but hopefully that has already been done? If tests are showing blood loss and anemia, he may have internal bleeding that needs to be found and fixed.
The urinary problems sound very much like prostate issues, which are very common as men age. Has his prostate been checked and a PSA blood work up been done? Here is a link to some info that might be helpful...http://www.prostatecancerfoundation.org/
Please keep us updated about your brother and relieved to hear that your own issues are under control!
co-CL of

<Thank you for such a prompt response. I read and reread the link you supplied. I also wondered if doing a colonoscopy during a diverticulitis attack was a good idea, and perhaps removing the polyp did, indeed, cause the abscess, although I am sure neither the doctor nor the hospital would offer up that information. The surgeon visited him yesterday and said because the colonscopy was clear they would not have to do surgery but will probably do the needle aspiration.
The original first thinking was that there was a huge mass growing on the outside of his colon, and of course we were all thinking cancer and were very upset. But, again, the colonoscopy never picked up the mass, either. We are all praying that this mass is an abcess, which is bad enough but not as bad as cancer. They did a Cat-Scan at a different hospital over a week ago and are waiting for that hospital to send the scan to the hospital he is in. His doctor made him go there last thursday through emergency but the cat-scan is still sitting in the first hospital and neither Heaven nor Hell can move it. So, the doctor said they will do another Cat-Scan tomorrow if it doesn't show up before then.
Thanks, again, for all the valuable information.
Glad I could offer some help and please keep us updated. I have learned from my own bad experiences that it is up to us to stay on top of issues and keep asking questions. Most hospitals and doctors don't like it, but so what? We are the paying consumers and have a right to know what is happening and why.
Did you read through the prostate info and is that a possible issue for your brother? That PSA number normally starts to rise with age and doesn't automatically indicate cancer. Even if it does, that is usually slow growing and treatable.
co-CL of

<Thanks for your inquiry about my brother. Today I talked to him, and the tube was taken out from his intestine (to drain the abcyss). He is now doing very well - driving - eating - and going back to work in a week. We are all relieved. He was given the same instructions to not eat nuts, corn, seeds, etc. He has to go for another cat scan to see how the abcyss looks now that it is drained.
As for me, fortunately and knock on wood, it will be a year since my last attack. Apparently, my two attacks were not as severe as your fiance's or my brother's. I can't say I am on any special diet. I try to eat vegetables and fruit, but I would be fibbing if I said I ate anything like they recommend or as many servings. Who has that kind of money and time? I do not eat popcorn (which I love) or nuts or anything with seeds (tomatoes, cucumbers, sesame seeds), etc. I used to eat popcorn at least two or three times a week so cutting out that alone may have helped. I also love cashew nuts and totally gave up all nuts, (reluctantly). I tried taking Metamucil for a while but I didn't like the way it made my tummy rumble and the reaction to it. The doctors (both mine and my brother's) talked very casually about diverticulitis and said lots of people get it, especially after a certain age (50 or 60). They didn't seem to think it was a big deal, but then they probably never had a bout of it. Your fiance is quite young and he probably should be monitored. Try having him stop all intake of nuts and seeds and hulls. There is some speculation that nuts are the culprit and that perhaps seeds from tomatoes and such are innocent, but I guess they are still working on that theory.
Good luck to you both. If I can answer anything specific, please write.