Just diagnosed with diverticulitis, but have a question...?

Question

I just got diagnosed with diverticulitis (very severe pain on left side of abdomen) it was very tender to the touch, but I pretty much hurt all over my abdomen.

Taking anti biotics and I'm starting to feel a little better.

I had a couple of cat scans of my abdomen and everything came back fine except for my diverticulitis.

I have one tender spot about 4.5 inches above my belly button that is still bothering me, if I touch it.

Is it related to the infection I have or could it be from me just pushing on my mid abdomen.

Like I said cat scan and blood work came back normal, with the exception of the diverticulitis.

Answer 1

I feel your pain as well. I am 40 years old and have recently had my 3 rd attack of diverticulitus in 3 years. I have had two infection on my left and one on the right. I have a hernia above my belly button and is tender after an attack, but if your Cat scan came back normal than it could be your eating too much while on the meds or the wrong food. Feel better. Hope this helped.

Answer 2

Diverticular disease includes both "diverticulosis" which is just protrusion of the colon wall, and "diverticulitis" which is actual inflammation or infection of these protrusions. So, you may have multiple areas of protrusion, only one of which may be infected.  It is also important to consider that only one major nerve provides sensation to the intestines.  This means that sometimes the brain can interpret the pain as being present in multiple areas when it really isn't.  This is akin to pain down the left arm during a heart attack.  This is known as "phantom pain."

After your course of antibiotics, you should take "pro-flora" suppliments that include L. acidophilous to repopulate your gut with good bacteria that are less likely than E. coli to cause inflammation problems.  You should also reduce the fats and proteins you are eating and increase the amount of fiber in your diet.  These measure can help minimize reoccurance.