Hi:
I’m glad I found this channel. It helps to read about others who have similar problems. I am a 63-1/2 years old male, to whom the Lord has been very good by giving me excellent health. This is the first time in my life that I have been sick. I had my his first diverticulitis episode on 12/30/06, followed by a second episode on 6/2/07 and a third episode on 11/30/07. I did not know what was wrong during the first episode. I had some pain on my lower left abdomen for about 3-4 days, and then started to have a fever of 101. At that time I went to ER and thru a CT, was diagnosed with acute proximal sigmoid diverticulitis with no focal collection.

Fortunately, I reacted well to IV treatment with Flagyl (metonidazole) and Ciprofloxacin and within 12 hours or so, had minimal pain (more like discomfort), and no fever. I stayed 2 days at the hospital. A colonoscopy performed at the end of February 2007 further confirmed that I have sigmoid colon mild diverticulosis. When the second episode occurred, I knew right away what it was, and went to ER. Hospital stay and treatment was the same as the first episode (except they used Levaquin vs. Cipro). I can say the same for the third episode except they used Cipro instead of Levaquin.

I went to two different Gastroenterologits, to get different opinions, and their recommendation was to resolve the problem surgically. Both said that after 3 episodes in 11 months, is not a matter of IF but rather WHEN the next one will take place, and that the longer I wait, and the more episodes occur, the greater the probability that something will burst and then I will need emergency surgery. A week ago I met with a colon-rectal surgeon and now I am scheduled for a colon resection on 2/12/08. As you can imagine, I am very scared, as I have read just about everything published on the subject and I am aware of all the various complications that can take place during and after the surgery. I’m more concerned with the post surgery complications (e.g. obstruction, leakage, bleeding, constipation or staples not holding up during a bowel movement) as they usually require the surgeon to go back in and perform a colostomy (connnection of an external bag).

To further complicate matters, in early December I was under intense stress and started to become depressed (surgery thoughts and loosing my job at the end of October 2007). I went to see my primary care physician, and the doctor prescribed one Zoloft 50MG, two buspirone 5MG and one Lunesta 3MG a day to help with anxiety depression and sleeping. I can now tell you that had I known then what I know now about the side effect of these medications, I would have not taken them. My body is still adjusting to these potent meds, and I do not know how my body/system will react to my upcoming surgery (e.g. anesthesia surgery stress, pain, etc). Well, that is my story, I hope this information helps someone else, and I pray every day that having surgery, is the right decision (for what is worth, my mother, wife, and children think it is the right decision). I plan to post the results of the surgery, after I recover (hopefully 3-4 weeks in mid-March 2008). Please keep me in your prayers.
God Bless.