Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
No Appetite. Had Diverticulitis Attack. On Flagyl, Amoxicillin. WBC Count Normal. Any Advice?
Question: Husband had 1st attack of diverticulitis 2+ weeks ago. On Flagyl for 7 days & Cipro for 10. Felt better quickly and appetite back by day 4. Then he lost his appetite again and hasn't felt "quite right XXXXXXX though there's no pain. Yesterday, put on 10 days of Amoxicillin, though yesterday's white blood cell count was normal.
Questions:
1. Could this be an infection that now has antibiotic resistance? If so, what are the next steps? (He's terrified of facing a colon resection.)
2. What could this be other than a continuing infection? With a normal white count, we're wondering.
Background:
My husband's had two colonoscopies (due to his father's colon cancer death in 50s) and both found minimal diverticulosis. Otherwise normal. His last colonscopy was two years ago. Has been eating high-fiber foods since divericulitis diagnosis (though he wasn't for about six months before that). Eating yogurt and drinking kefir while on antibiotics.
Questions:
1. Could this be an infection that now has antibiotic resistance? If so, what are the next steps? (He's terrified of facing a colon resection.)
2. What could this be other than a continuing infection? With a normal white count, we're wondering.
Background:
My husband's had two colonoscopies (due to his father's colon cancer death in 50s) and both found minimal diverticulosis. Otherwise normal. His last colonscopy was two years ago. Has been eating high-fiber foods since divericulitis diagnosis (though he wasn't for about six months before that). Eating yogurt and drinking kefir while on antibiotics.
Hello,XXXXXX,
I am assuming that your husband did not require hospitalization which is usually indicated for complicated acute diverticulitis with abscess or perforation (Ruptured diverticulum), may be even localized peritonitis or intra-abdominal spillage and infection.
This is diagnosed by CT-Scan along with blood work and the person is usually very sick.
Your husband was placed on two standard drugs that are used, cipro & flagyl, both very effective in majority of acute diverticulitis.
Both of these drugs can affect the stomach. Can cause nausea, loss of appetite. Flagyl will give a metallic taste and can very much affect the appetite. I am not sure why he was also put on Amoxicillin later. Some of the surgeons use all three drugs in a hospitalized setting when there is complicated diverticulitis as I mentioned above.
According to the colonoscopy findings he only had minimal diverticulosis which is good. I certainly go along with him staying on a high fiber diet when this attack subsides. For the time being he may be on a lower residue diet, restricting the fiber intake.
This for about 4 weeks.
You are doing the right thing giving him probiotics and yogurt.
This should help him build up good bacteria in the intestine.
I am glad he is being followed closely with colonoscopy for because of positive family history.
His appetite will return now that he is off flagyl.
I wish him the very best.
I am assuming that your husband did not require hospitalization which is usually indicated for complicated acute diverticulitis with abscess or perforation (Ruptured diverticulum), may be even localized peritonitis or intra-abdominal spillage and infection.
This is diagnosed by CT-Scan along with blood work and the person is usually very sick.
Your husband was placed on two standard drugs that are used, cipro & flagyl, both very effective in majority of acute diverticulitis.
Both of these drugs can affect the stomach. Can cause nausea, loss of appetite. Flagyl will give a metallic taste and can very much affect the appetite. I am not sure why he was also put on Amoxicillin later. Some of the surgeons use all three drugs in a hospitalized setting when there is complicated diverticulitis as I mentioned above.
According to the colonoscopy findings he only had minimal diverticulosis which is good. I certainly go along with him staying on a high fiber diet when this attack subsides. For the time being he may be on a lower residue diet, restricting the fiber intake.
This for about 4 weeks.
You are doing the right thing giving him probiotics and yogurt.
This should help him build up good bacteria in the intestine.
I am glad he is being followed closely with colonoscopy for because of positive family history.
His appetite will return now that he is off flagyl.
I wish him the very best.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Thank you! He was diagnosed with diverticulitis using a CT Scan and blood work. There was no mention of complications. Follow-up question:
1. He's been off Flagyl for 8 days now. Shouldn't his appetite have already returned?
He was put on 875 mg Augmentin (Amoxicillin/Clavulanate) because his GP was very concerned that his appetite had not returned. He also feels uncomfortably full and gassy after eating.
Thanks for your help!
One more detail: the GP also was concerned and put him on Augmentin because his appetite returned for 3 days while he was on Cipro & Flagyl and then went away again and has been gone for more than a week.
1. He's been off Flagyl for 8 days now. Shouldn't his appetite have already returned?
He was put on 875 mg Augmentin (Amoxicillin/Clavulanate) because his GP was very concerned that his appetite had not returned. He also feels uncomfortably full and gassy after eating.
Thanks for your help!
One more detail: the GP also was concerned and put him on Augmentin because his appetite returned for 3 days while he was on Cipro & Flagyl and then went away again and has been gone for more than a week.
Hello XXXXXX
Good to hear from you again. Your husband did not have any complications from acute diverticulitis and I am really glad about that. He really did not need a course of Augmentin, but I don't think it would hurt him. Flagyl will knock out the appetite for a while. It has been eight days and I would think, give it another eight to ten days. He should be fine.
My only concern with Augmentin is, there is a condition called "C.Difficile Colitis XXXXXXX which can follow after sometime of being on antibiotics like this or Cephalosporins etc. If he starts having any persistent diarrhea within the next few days to few weeks , he needs his stool tested for C.Difficile Toxins
and if present, needs additional treatment.
I wish him well.
Good to hear from you again. Your husband did not have any complications from acute diverticulitis and I am really glad about that. He really did not need a course of Augmentin, but I don't think it would hurt him. Flagyl will knock out the appetite for a while. It has been eight days and I would think, give it another eight to ten days. He should be fine.
My only concern with Augmentin is, there is a condition called "C.Difficile Colitis XXXXXXX which can follow after sometime of being on antibiotics like this or Cephalosporins etc. If he starts having any persistent diarrhea within the next few days to few weeks , he needs his stool tested for C.Difficile Toxins
and if present, needs additional treatment.
I wish him well.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Mohammed Kappan
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
