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Suggest Treatment For Diverticulitis
Question: Last Monday I was diagnosed with diverticulitis. The diverticulitis seems to have left me. My gastrointerologist prescribed antibiotics -Amoxicillin Clavulanate 875 mg 2 times a day which I have been taking. I was having a low grade fever (99 degrees) but do not have one now. MY PROBLEM - I have been having strong aches in my lower back - below my waist, radiating to the sides. I assume it is kidney problems which my doctor said I most likely had and the subsequent blood tests confirmed. This pain has been helped by taking Tylenol -about every 4 hours around the clock. But then I got concerned that I was taking too much Tylenol. So now I take 1 excedrin (generic brand) . The pain keeps returning every 4 or so hours. Is this Normal? I thought that after 5 days of antibiotics I would not be in such pain. The diverticulitis seems to be a lot better now - this "kidney " problem does not seem to be getting better - I have no discolored urine, am drinking lots of liquids, mainly water. My question is - why has the pain not gotten better? Is this normal? I would have thought that after 4 days of antibiotics the pain would have decreased. Should I just continue on this same road? Are ther stronger pain killers?
Brief Answer:
Please give details and post actual reports.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history.
To recapitulate: Female/73 - diagnosed as Diverticulitis last Monday - seems Okay - Gastroenterologist gave Amoxy-clav 875 - strong aches in lower back - below waist - radiating to the sides - ?kidney problem - blood tests confirmed - tylenol - Excedrin a combination of acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine sos - pain returns every 4 hours - wants to know is this normal - why has the pain not gotten better? - should continue on the same road? - are there strong pain killers...
Please give additional information:
Please post the reports of the investigations done that said this to be diverticulitis and kidney problem - this will help me to have clearer picture. You can simply upload them at the reports section.
Your Questions:
Why has the pain not gotten better?
> Once of the reasons can be - the infection has not come under control, the pain continues. There is a mechanical reason like a stone, stricture or so that acts as a precipitating factor not allowing control early.
Is this normal? I would have thought that after 4 days of antibiotics the pain would have decreased.
> This is not normal since you are on antibiotic and Excedrin.
Should I just continue on this same road?
> Continue at the moment till your Doctor changes over to another antibiotic and gives you prescription based painkiller.
Are there stronger pain killers?
> There are, but all of them need a valid prescription. You need to talk to your Doctor to get one.
If the antibiotic is not working after 3 days, it may be needed to add on or change over to another antibiotic like Ofloxacin/Cefixime as per the choice of your treating Doctor or as per the reports of culture and sensitivity of urine and/or blood and anti-inflammatory medicine with painkiller properties.
I hope this answer helps you, please feel free to give feedback, ask for further queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Regards
Please give details and post actual reports.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history.
To recapitulate: Female/73 - diagnosed as Diverticulitis last Monday - seems Okay - Gastroenterologist gave Amoxy-clav 875 - strong aches in lower back - below waist - radiating to the sides - ?kidney problem - blood tests confirmed - tylenol - Excedrin a combination of acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine sos - pain returns every 4 hours - wants to know is this normal - why has the pain not gotten better? - should continue on the same road? - are there strong pain killers...
Please give additional information:
Please post the reports of the investigations done that said this to be diverticulitis and kidney problem - this will help me to have clearer picture. You can simply upload them at the reports section.
Your Questions:
Why has the pain not gotten better?
> Once of the reasons can be - the infection has not come under control, the pain continues. There is a mechanical reason like a stone, stricture or so that acts as a precipitating factor not allowing control early.
Is this normal? I would have thought that after 4 days of antibiotics the pain would have decreased.
> This is not normal since you are on antibiotic and Excedrin.
Should I just continue on this same road?
> Continue at the moment till your Doctor changes over to another antibiotic and gives you prescription based painkiller.
Are there stronger pain killers?
> There are, but all of them need a valid prescription. You need to talk to your Doctor to get one.
If the antibiotic is not working after 3 days, it may be needed to add on or change over to another antibiotic like Ofloxacin/Cefixime as per the choice of your treating Doctor or as per the reports of culture and sensitivity of urine and/or blood and anti-inflammatory medicine with painkiller properties.
I hope this answer helps you, please feel free to give feedback, ask for further queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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