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crohns and diverticulitis

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Posted 9/26/2008 1:26 PM (GMT 0)
I am hoping to connect with someone here. I have had a history of Crohns DX for several years. I was diagnosed with diverticulitis a few months ago and just had my second attack of diverticulitis. My inflammation is in the splenic flexure. I have reconnected with my old dr who is now at Cleveland Clinic. He told me if I had a second bout of Diverticulitis he would refer me to surgery. I visited with Dr. Geisler this past Tuesday and he gave me the run down. I was very shocked when he said he thought I needed a colectomy. He says that my diverticulitis is in a very difficult spot - the splenic flexure and then he thinks because the Crohns is in the TI he is recommending a total colectomy. My infection reoccurred only one month after stopping antibiotics - also the antibiotic Cipro is giving me joint pain in knees - Found out that Cipro and that class of antibiotics can cause ruptured tendons!!! So I have been taken off. Here are some questions/additional comments:

1. Anyone have both crohns and diverticulitis/diverticulosis?

2. I have had two diverticulitis attacks now - each clearing up after antibiotics . . . anyone have bowel resection for the diverticulitis?

3. Dr. office just called took me off antibiotics and now wait and see . . . I have heard stories where people's diverticulitis flared right back up (mine did after three weeks) . . . anyone else had this experience?
Posted 9/27/2008 8:47 AM (GMT 0)
CD was my only diagnosis and it was a bugger to treat, never successfully for me. I wish you the best of luck. Cleve Clinic is a great facility. I had Dr. Victor Fazio as my surgeon when I lived in that area, and would most definately go back there if necessary.
Posted 9/27/2008 9:38 PM (GMT 0)

chatkat,

I'm so sorry you're having problems with Crohn's and Diverticulitis. sad Unfortunately, you can have both at the same time, and many people have surgery for both.

I had Crohn's in my large intestine and rectum for 7 years and had surgery two years ago. I know it's a scary thing to consider, but I have to tell you, I have felt fantastic since being rid of my diseased colon. I also don't have to take any medicine anymore, which is wonderful, too.

I'm glad you found this forum. I didn't have any "ostomates" to talk to before having surgery, so I was completely in the dark. I would have done it years sooner had I known life with an ostomy would be this good. Please ask us any questions you have, and we'll do our best to answer. :-)

Take care,

Cecilia

Posted 9/27/2008 10:12 PM (GMT 0)
Cecelia:

They consider my crohns "benign" as they do not see much inflammation - it comes and goes - I have symptoms but the symptoms appear as quickly as they disappear. I have the extraintestinal manifestations: arthritis, dry eyes, etc.

I appreciate what you wrote - that is why my husband and I are talking about is whether or not just to get it over with and have them go ahead and do it. I am waiting for the doctor just to say he is going to - but do I just tell them I want to go ahead and do it? He says I am so young that is what makes him so hesitant (I am 43). I am not on medication right now . . . I would say that the diverticulitis is likely the worse culprit at this point.
Posted 9/28/2008 10:37 AM (GMT 0)
chatkat--I have had all but one of my surgeries at CC (Crohn's). From my experience, my Doc's never told me I HAD to have surgery unless it was life threatening...My proctocolectomy was my choice and also took 7 years for me to decide to have it. Will you be reconnected or have an ostomy? Just so you know, I just turned 40 this year and my proctocolectomy was my birthday present to me!!!

Good luck with your decision and I'll keep my fingers crossed the infection doesn't return!
Posted 9/28/2008 12:44 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I am thinking that if my infection returns that I am going to go ahead and tell the doctor that my quality of life (which is what he is concerned with for me after surgery) would likely not be any worse than it is now. TO keep having repeated infections within three weeks of each other is not very good quality either. He was concerned with how much I would be in the bathroom and the fact that we have young children etc. . . . but I am thinking my quality of life would be improved. I have to admit also I am worried about having emergency surgery where one of the diverticula rupture. we had a friend who almost died two years ago when that happened. THen the GI doc told me a relative of his did . . .then others have told me this - the surgeon says that is rare but I keep hearing all of these stories. I would think elective rather than emergency surgery would be best. Plus I do not want the docs here where I live to do surgery on me . ..
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