Question:
If there was a stamp that said STUPID I should have it on my forehead.I started bleeding off and on -on Feb23. I kept thinking I had an infection or something and it would go away. On Feb 27 I woke up to be totally wet. Turned lite on and was literally covered in blood. Stood up and passed out. Came to and knew I had to unlock my door for ambulance or family to come get me. I live alone. Passed out again, came to and crawled back to my bed and found my phone. My hound dog kept me alert the whole time by howling at me!! Called my parents to come get me. Went to the ER and no vitals were found. They finally found one on my ear and started to give me tranfusions and stabilize me. Then off to ICU. Got to experience the nasty gallon of GOLIGHTLY (rotten stuff) so I could have a colonoscopy. Dr. found a tear in my bowel and one diverticula and cauterized them. Thought that was that. 2 days later bled out again. So more Golightly and another colonoscopy. Could not see anything so Emergency Surgery that day and Surgeon found alot of diverticula on the underside of colon and removed 8". 12 units of blood, 4 plasma, 4 platelets and major IV's with vitamins here I am. Got neumonia (sp) while there and had to have lungs drained. Was in the hospital for 11 days total. I got out on the 10th of march and came back to work on the 13th. As for the question do I have to work, YES. Sucks but I have bills to pay and the hospital bill came and is $64,000 not including Doctors. From what I have been told I am very lucky to be alive. The ER doc said I had maybe 2 hours at the most before I would have died. I had no blood left in me. I feel like crap but it is Friday and I will rest alot this week-end. Thanks to everyone here, I love all the info that you are giving me. Thanks Dyana
Answer:
Don - Sorry that you are having a diffcult time getting rid of this attack of Diverticulitis! What kind of tests have you had? Were many diverticula infected, or just one? I have had 2 attacks since 1995 - the first one was serious enough for hospitization, but I recognized the symptoms of the second one and luckily was able to take antibiotics at home.
Apparently, you also are aware of having an attack now that you know the symptoms. Many people have been helped with the operation to remove the part of the colon with the divertcula. You didn't say what you are taking now for fiber. I take the powdered Metamucil (psyllium) each night; and, I take more if I feel I need to. My doctor told me that this is the best way to stay regular and try to avoid future attacks. I also make sure to have lots of fiber-rich foods. We are fortunate that the foods now have the amount of fiber in them listed on the package. I try to get 25-30 grams of fiber daily.
However, if, despite eating lots of fiber and taking fiber supplements, you continue to have divertculitis attacks, you should talk with a specialist about the need for an operation. Good luck!
Answer:
Hi Dyana,
I, too, was stupid and ignored all my symptoms, ending up in the hospital for almost a week! I was fortunate, though, and didn't have to have an operation. Since then I have had another attack but antibiotics taken at home cured that one.
You really must have a very strong constitution to have withstood all you have...I have read some of your earlier posts. You are very brave and have a positive outlook, which, I believe, is extremely important.
Good luck!
Answer:
I never have diverticulitis attacked. No, I didn't have diverticulars. My new gastro dr said she'll have a look my CT films for me on the next appointment.
Dyana, do you have a CT abdomen? Are your diverticulars showing? Mine one showed multiple on CT but showed nothing at all in the colonoscopy! May be they're reading wrong. My body is very strange, I can said most of the tests that they are unable to interprete. Stress test - read all wrong. Echo - read all wrong. CT abdomen - read all wrong. X-ray chest - read all wrong. I don't know what I can believe to.