Resolved question:
I was hospitalized for acute diverticulitis almost a month ago. Symptoms returned again a week ago and I was put back on the same antibiotics, flagyl and levoflaxcin, but my pain is the same and worse after I have a bowel movement. Is this normal and how long should it take for diverticulitis to resolve itself? I am 37, fit, female, no children and it came on suddenly walking down the street.
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Gastroenterologist, Medical
Hi,
Thanks for posting your query at DoctorSpring.com. I am Dr. Kini and I am pleased to assist you.
You have not mentioned whether any CT scan of abdomen was done during the previous episode and during this episode. First it should be confirmed whether the pain attacks are due to diverticulitis. CT scan is the diagnostic procedure of choice for diverticulitis. If not already done, you can get it done to confirm the diagnosis of diverticulitis.
Usually, one gets good response within 2-4 days of starting antibiotics. However, Recurrent diveriticulitis responds less to medical therapy. Recurrent diverticulitis and that which does not respond to medical therapy needs surgery.
But the first step in your case is to get the diagnosis confirmed with CT scan of the abdomen, if not already done.
I hope that answers your query. Please let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr.R.K
I had a CT scan when I went to emergency that showed there were quite a lot of diverticulitis in the sigmoid colon. I have stayed on a low fiber diet and drink plenty of fluids. I was hospitalized for five days after going to emergency. There was no evidence of an absess or perforation.
I had another ten days treatment of antibiotics and then a week ago today, the pain came back and the doctor gave me more of the same antibiotics but the pain is getting worse, not better, it is more constant now.
My question is, is this normal for diverticulitis? I am extremely tired all the time and the pain now while dull in comparison to the first attack is there all the time.
Can you suggest anything else that can help with the healing process as I am extremely distressed.
Regards,
Prue
Hi,
Thanks for providing the additional information.
I presume that your pain is in the left lower quadrant which is where you get the diverticulitis pain.
If you are not having in the left lower quadrant and is in some other part of the abdomen, then you have to look for other causes of pain.
It is not normal to have uncomplicated diverticulitis pain to persist for more than a week even after starting antibiotics. I have told you in my previous post that you get good response in 2-4 days after starting the treatment.
Since the pain is persisting and you are extremely distressed, I would advice you to visit your doctor again for intravenous medications and also to look for any other issues that might be causing the pain.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr.R.K