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Hello, I 'm Canadian, Age 77. I Had 4 Endometrial
Question: Hello, I 'm Canadian, age 77. I had 4 endometrial surgeries for ovarian cysts in my 20's, with no real problems until the last couple of years when I broke my shoulder followed by a 6 incision robotic abdominal surgery 10 months later in Dec. 2017 in the U.S. I was told by my gastroenterologist I had diverticulitis. The operation showed that a divertic. sac had burst, and there was a cycst on remaining half of left ovary and the whole "mess" was encapsulated by something which prevented stuff from getting into the peritonel cavity, though they removed my bowel/intestine during surgery and washed them with water. Beside bowel resection I had a complete hysterectomy and recovered all functions well, actually recovered strength quickly. In august of this year, we sold our house in the U.S. moving back to
Canada--lots of stress- I began to have left ab dull pain, and loss of strength and pain from my back to buttock to a sciatica burning in left leg- It improved while we moved again, from old condo to another one mid Sept., lots of stress. Then it seemingly went away until 2 weeks ago. I can barely walk when I wake in the morning. Excercising and stretching get me going again, but dull pain on left side remains. I started on a clear broth diet day before yesterday, and went to physical therapist today who pressed deeply into the painful areas of my left side. Ab pain is now gone. But I am concerned about constipation which has occured and do not want to do an enema since in the surgery 10" of bowel was removed and resectioned and it may be sensitive. So I ate some applesauce and yoghurt and broth and put a gentle laxative powder from XXXXXXX in it which my friend who is very conscientious gave me. How to
proceed with diet? Is it possible that adhesions created pain in ab and down back and leg? It's interesting with the deep tissue work I just had , the ab pain is gone. (I'm sorry to be so wordy.) Do you have any suggestions?
Canada--lots of stress- I began to have left ab dull pain, and loss of strength and pain from my back to buttock to a sciatica burning in left leg- It improved while we moved again, from old condo to another one mid Sept., lots of stress. Then it seemingly went away until 2 weeks ago. I can barely walk when I wake in the morning. Excercising and stretching get me going again, but dull pain on left side remains. I started on a clear broth diet day before yesterday, and went to physical therapist today who pressed deeply into the painful areas of my left side. Ab pain is now gone. But I am concerned about constipation which has occured and do not want to do an enema since in the surgery 10" of bowel was removed and resectioned and it may be sensitive. So I ate some applesauce and yoghurt and broth and put a gentle laxative powder from XXXXXXX in it which my friend who is very conscientious gave me. How to
proceed with diet? Is it possible that adhesions created pain in ab and down back and leg? It's interesting with the deep tissue work I just had , the ab pain is gone. (I'm sorry to be so wordy.) Do you have any suggestions?
Brief Answer:
Go for a CT abdomen initially with stool test.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome to 'Ask A Doctor' service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
See firstly due to constipation food stagnates in our intestines this stagnated food is acted upon by a large number of harmful bacterias and pathogens these pathogens gets embedded in small pouches called diverticulas and flare ups are very common in such patients.These embedded bacterias causes severe inflammation in pouches causing left sided pain abdomen.So first thing i would suggest you after going through your history is pain to go for a CT scan of abdomen with a stool test.This will make things more clear.
As per diet related to constipation.Have a wholesome diet rich in fiber. Good fiber sources are vegetables, legumes, fruits and multi grain bread like XXXXXXX
Eat a well- balanced diet with plenty of fiber. If you want to take natural therapy consider-
Curd and yoghurt are good of probiotics.Probiotics help to replete the depleted flora of gut hence help in proper digestion of food.
Intestinal flora are types of microorganisms known as probiotics that live normally as part of the intestinal tract. These organisms have several functions that help the body. The most plentiful and important bacteria in the small intestine is the Lactobacillus species. Lactobacillus helps ferment indigestible carbohydrates. It also helps to stimulate the digestive process and aid the absorption of nutrients,as well as increase the motility of the gastro intestinal tract. I would suggest you to keep taking a good probiotics like Econorm thrice daily for few months .As your gut flora will improve her constipation would be relieved and well formed and digested stools will pass.
Now lets again move to your probable primary problem which is diverticulitis(99%).From your history adhesipjs etc dont seems to be the cause.For acute phase flare ups antibiotic therapy would be given once CT is done but once the acute phase settles down. Severe and drastic life style modificatory changes have to be followed by patient for many months to avoid recurrent attacks.
Medicines can help you but can't cure you. So go through each line carefully-
Not exercising enough, not drinking enough water and delaying a bowel movement can worsen your symptoms. The most important factor in curing you is strict adherence to natural and simple diet. This should consist of unrefined food such as whole grain cereals, XXXXXXX honey and lentils; green leafy vegetables, like spinach, beans, lettuce, celery, asparagus, carrot. Adding some fat to meals or increasing the size of a meal such as breakfast can be helpful. Individuals suffering from diverticulitis should increase the amount of plant foods they consume to get more fiber in their diet.
Intially go for a CT and follow up with report.
Hope i was helpful.
Follow ups are welcome!
Go for a CT abdomen initially with stool test.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome to 'Ask A Doctor' service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
See firstly due to constipation food stagnates in our intestines this stagnated food is acted upon by a large number of harmful bacterias and pathogens these pathogens gets embedded in small pouches called diverticulas and flare ups are very common in such patients.These embedded bacterias causes severe inflammation in pouches causing left sided pain abdomen.So first thing i would suggest you after going through your history is pain to go for a CT scan of abdomen with a stool test.This will make things more clear.
As per diet related to constipation.Have a wholesome diet rich in fiber. Good fiber sources are vegetables, legumes, fruits and multi grain bread like XXXXXXX
Eat a well- balanced diet with plenty of fiber. If you want to take natural therapy consider-
Curd and yoghurt are good of probiotics.Probiotics help to replete the depleted flora of gut hence help in proper digestion of food.
Intestinal flora are types of microorganisms known as probiotics that live normally as part of the intestinal tract. These organisms have several functions that help the body. The most plentiful and important bacteria in the small intestine is the Lactobacillus species. Lactobacillus helps ferment indigestible carbohydrates. It also helps to stimulate the digestive process and aid the absorption of nutrients,as well as increase the motility of the gastro intestinal tract. I would suggest you to keep taking a good probiotics like Econorm thrice daily for few months .As your gut flora will improve her constipation would be relieved and well formed and digested stools will pass.
Now lets again move to your probable primary problem which is diverticulitis(99%).From your history adhesipjs etc dont seems to be the cause.For acute phase flare ups antibiotic therapy would be given once CT is done but once the acute phase settles down. Severe and drastic life style modificatory changes have to be followed by patient for many months to avoid recurrent attacks.
Medicines can help you but can't cure you. So go through each line carefully-
Not exercising enough, not drinking enough water and delaying a bowel movement can worsen your symptoms. The most important factor in curing you is strict adherence to natural and simple diet. This should consist of unrefined food such as whole grain cereals, XXXXXXX honey and lentils; green leafy vegetables, like spinach, beans, lettuce, celery, asparagus, carrot. Adding some fat to meals or increasing the size of a meal such as breakfast can be helpful. Individuals suffering from diverticulitis should increase the amount of plant foods they consume to get more fiber in their diet.
Intially go for a CT and follow up with report.
Hope i was helpful.
Follow ups are welcome!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
Thank you very much, Dr. XXXXXXX for all your excellent information and advice. I will read everything carefully again and incorporate your suggestions, starting with asking my doctor for a CT scan. It's strange that I have been so aware of diet my whole life,--eat very fresh, organic food, although I was in the restaurant business and ate food that was too rich, and I tend to overeat. (155 lbs.) Also too much stress. So all you say makes sense to me and I will make long term changes. Thank you.
Does the back pain relate also to the diverticulitis?
Juliana Joldersma
Does the back pain relate also to the diverticulitis?
Juliana Joldersma
Brief Answer:
Follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
Thanks for appreciation.
Yes pain could be due to diverticulitis also or it could be related to back itself(scaitica is caused by nerve compression in discs).
So it can be any one of them.
Only response to medication or a investigations could give you correct answer.
Hope i was helpful.
feel free to follow up.
Do rate the answer and get well soon!
Follow up.
Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
Thanks for appreciation.
Yes pain could be due to diverticulitis also or it could be related to back itself(scaitica is caused by nerve compression in discs).
So it can be any one of them.
Only response to medication or a investigations could give you correct answer.
Hope i was helpful.
feel free to follow up.
Do rate the answer and get well soon!
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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