What is diverticulitis?
The description below is taken directly from Mayoclinic.
Diverticula are small, bulging pouches that can form in the lining of your digestive system. They are found most often in the lower part of the large intestine (colon). Diverticula are common, especially after age 40, and seldom cause problems.
The presence of diverticula is known as diverticulosis (die-vur-tik-yoo-LOE-sis). When one or more of the pouches become inflamed, and in some cases infected, that condition is known as diverticulitis (die-vur-tik-yoo-LIE-tis). Diverticulitis can cause severe abdominal pain, fever, nausea and a marked change in your bowel habits.
Mild diverticulitis can be treated with rest, changes in your diet and antibiotics. Severe or recurring diverticulitis may require surgery.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diverticulitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20371758
The description below is taken directly from US National Library of Medicine/MedlinePlus
Diverticula are small pouches that bulge outward through the colon, or large intestine. If you have these pouches, you have a condition called diverticulosis. It becomes more common as people age. About half of all people over age 60 have it. Doctors believe the main cause is a low-fiber diet.
Most people with diverticulosis don’t have symptoms. Sometimes it causes mild cramps, bloating or constipation. Diverticulosis is often found through tests ordered for something else. For example, it is often found during a colonoscopy to screen for cancer. A high-fiber diet and mild pain reliever will often relieve symptoms.
If the pouches become inflamed or infected, you have a condition called diverticulitis. The most common symptom is abdominal pain, usually on the left side. You may also have fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, cramping, and constipation. In serious cases, diverticulitis can lead to bleeding, tears, or blockages. Your doctor will do a physical exam and imaging tests to diagnose it. Treatment may include antibiotics, pain relievers, and a liquid diet. A serious case may require a hospital stay or surgery.
https://medlineplus.gov/diverticulosisanddiverticulitis.html
Why is this important?
I was diagnosed on Friday.
Yes, I was diagnosed on Friday September the 10th with this disease. I have a very serious case of diverticulitis and was not able to have the surgery. Why? I did not qualify. In other words, I was not sick enough or close enough to dying. Those beds are being saved for people with truly life threatening situations such as heart attacks, strokes, bleeding out, or Covid. Primarily Covid. The majority of patients with Covid, are not vaccinated. Thus, I was not given the treatment normally given in my situation due to unvaccinated people who contracted Covid. Thankfully, today, Thursday September 16th, the majority of fecal waste build-up in my intestines has finally been evacuated.
Just for clarity, the last bowel movement I had before my visit to the hospital on 09/10/21, was on 09/04/21. Outside of lots of liquid, blood, and diarrhea due to medications and laxative’s from the hospital, 09/15/21 I had my first semi-solid bowel movement and there was very little feces. Today, 09/16/21, more movement with a little more fecal matter. The abdominal pain is no joke. The fever, chills, and cramping, are no joke. The fear of going septic and dying when you see large amounts of blood is no joke.
Now that I am up and moving again, I will become more visible on many platforms. Just check my “links” tab for all of the platforms I am utilizing. Thank you.
