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I was hospitalized from January 30, 2010 to Feb 1, 2010 with severe right abdominal and umbilical pain. The ER staff immediately thought it was appendicitis. They sent me for a CT Scan, and it was determined that I had diverticulitis. I was treated with IV antibiotics and placed on a clear liquid diet, then graduated to a full liquid diet. Upon discharge I underwent an additional 7 days of outpatient IV antibiotic therapy. After the IV therapy, I was advised to maintain a low fiber/low residue diet. I had a colonoscopy on February 19, 2010. My GI doctor advised me that my diverticula were located in an odd area (hepatic flexure). This explained why I had right abdominal pain as opposed to the more common left abdominal pain. He advised me that I long longer had any inflammation and I could resume a regular diet (minus seeds, nuts and corn). I followed the GI doctor's instructions to a tee. But within 1 week, I was back in the ER with severe pain (and vomiting this time around). I was given IV antibiotics and pain meds. The CT Scan was done again. It was ruled out as being a residual effect. I was discharged that same evening, and was advised to maintain a low fiber, low residue diet again. I have been on this diet since February 26, 2010. I've also joined a gym (I know that my bad diet and sedentary lifestyle had to be a major component in my diagnosis). I haven't had any pain since then, but I am growing increasingly concerned that I haven't had a "regular" bowel movement. I feel like I have to go, but when I do, it is small and very thin. I've searched all over the web trying to learn as much as possible. I've even spoken to someone who has diverticular disease. He advised me that he was diagnosed 30 years ago. He swears by Acidophillus. He told me to get the refrigerated kind at any nutrition store. I'm just not clear on what "level" I should get. I've found Acidophillus with 40 billion, 50 billion and 60 billion. I would REALLY appreciate any advice. I just know that I never want to feel that pain again. Thanks.
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NJ75,
Thank you so much for sharing your story. It sounds like you have been through an awful lot of pain and anxiety over this. Congratulations for going for a few weeks now without a recurrence!!! And double congratulations on joining a gym. That's a huge first step and I'm proud of you.
Antibiotics can knock out all of the friendly bacteria in our systems as well as all the unfriendly bacteria. So your friend gave you good advice, because acidophilus is a probiotic and can indeed help restore that balance.
All you need for acidophilus to be effective is apparently 1 to 10 billion. It's probably best to start with the lowest amount you can find in the form you want and see if it helps before moving on to a higher number. Here's a page from Dr. Andrew Weil on acidophilus dosing:
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA83786/Overdosing-on-Acidophilus.html
NJ, do please make a phone call to your doctor's office before starting anything new, however, and clear it with them. You probably only have to call and ask the nurse with something like this, but it's still important because you've had such a rough ride. Tell them exactly what your bowel movements have been like and that you have learned that acidophilus may help, and ask what their recommendation would be. Will you do that? It's important that your doctor is aware of everything you take, both conventional and natural.
Thanks so much for writing, and I hope you'll come back and update us.
March 17, 2010 - 8:07amThis Comment