H.B. asks from Little Elm, TX on February 08, 2009
Diverticulitis or Colitis and Gallstones
I was recently diagnosed with either diverticulitis or colitis along with gallstones. Urgent Care doc suggested that I make an appt w/ a general surgeon in about a month. I personally think this is rather extreme and plan to see my family doc in a week or so. Bottom line is, I went in for abdominal pain which was determined to be diverticulitis or colitis. CT scan just happened to show gallstones as well, which are not bothering me. Has anyone else experienced these health issues? Have you seen a specialist? I obviously have to change my diet...any suggestions on some tasty meals that are seed/nut/skin free?
Thanks in advance!
More Answers
C.P. answers from Dallas on February 08, 2009
Hello H.,
definitely get a second/ third oppinion. I believe that surgery is only as last resort.
here a couple of links:
http://www.medicinenet.com/diverticulosis/article.htm
http://www.medicinenet.com/ulcerative_colitis/article.htm
good luck! ~C.~
T.O. answers from Dallas on February 08, 2009
All I can say is get another oppinion. My mom had the gallstones act up or whatever they do and she was in EXTREME pain. And my mom is no wimp. She did have to change her diet to be very low fat after the removal of her gallbladder.
You should see a GI, like the other poster suggested because Colitis is something you need to look after. Avoding nuts/seeds is very easy... just think of all the folks allergic to nuts. Popcorn is not good for diverticulitis either.
J.K. answers from Dallas on February 08, 2009
You need to go to see your doctor and/or gastronologist.
There is a major difference between diverticulitis and colitis. I have Crohns disease which is a sister disease to Colitis they are both Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
I have had two friends who have dealt with diverticiulitis and now are perfectly fine.. IBD are chronic and lifetime things ..
I would recommend Dr. Tom Dewar or anyone in his practice. He is in Fort Worth by Hulen mall.
His phone number is ###-###-####.
you need to see someone sooner rather than later.
Most likely you will have to undergo some tests to verify the specific problem.
Let me know if I can answer any questions for you
J.
J.B. answers from Dallas on February 09, 2009
I had my gallbladder removed about 3 years ago. I had gallstones and let them go thinking they would work their way out. What they found when I really started to have problems was that it was affecting my liver and was making it turn into a fatty liver. Fatty liver turns into cirrhosis of the liver eventually. Your gallbladder backs up into your liver. I didn't want to die of something so mundane when I could get the diseased gallbladder removed. It was virtually painless and I have felt so much better as a result. Good luck.
T.T. answers from Dallas on February 09, 2009
I would agree that you first need to determine if you do have any other issues. BUT just because the gallstones don't "bother you" doesn't mean that your gallbladder is not becoming diseased.
I had gallbladder surgery almost two years ago. I never had the terrible pain that other people have, but mostly b/c I had one huge stone and it could not work it's way out of the gallbladder. The surgery is outpatient and actually very easy. My dr said I could lift my kids the next day if I needed to (they were 2 & 5 at the time).
Get the 2nd opinion, but don't think that gallstones cannot cause problems, because it will only get worse until you have it removed.
K.K. answers from Dallas on February 09, 2009
Get another oppion, but yes you should see a surgeon and have you gallbladder removed. The risks of stones migrating from the gallbladder should not be taken lightly. It is normally a very safe and routine surgery.
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