Is it diverticulitis???

Question

I am a 37 year old woman who was just diagnosed with diverticulitis from a "dry" cat scan after having severe lower quadrant abdominal pain. I have read up on the disease over the past couple of days, and have determined that I do not fit the profile- I am under 60 yrs old, eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruit, raw vegetables, and whole grains, and I am very regular.

I have had a history of frequent back ache (past year or so)- lower back, along spinal cord, and shoulder/neck area. Occationally I get severe tension headaches from the neck/shoulder pain.

I have no gynocological issues though I have had c-section births.

Any thoughts????

Oh... Also, a few days after the diagnosis, I found out that my refridgerator has not been working properly, my dog was hospitalized with vomitting and diarrea (posible colitis). No one else in my family has been affected.

Answer 1

Did they do an MRI on you? I ask because it could be a herniated disc. My mother had diverticulitis...those are small pouches that collect seeds and they flare up. Your back problems could be a vertebra is out of whack...I myself have one vertebra that doesn't sit right and causes pain...I also had a herniated disc and had a lumber microdisectomy done.

Answer 2

I am a young male and the Dr. tested me and suggested that I may have that myself.I think it`s great to study up on these things,but apparently all the information is not there every time.I am a male in my 30`s,so to answer your question,yes,it very well could be diverticulitis.But My Dr.didn`t really know for sure.He gave me antibiotics as a preventative measure,but said if I got worse that I would have to have more test run.There is always a chance that you were misdiagnosed however.You might want to get a second oppinion,but if you are on antibiotics,you may as well go ahead and finish them out.It couldn`t hurt.

Answer 3

Second opinions solicited on the internet is an extremely dangerous approach to health care. A CT scan is an imaging device, meaning they have pictures of an out pouching of your colon that is inflammed. If you really want a second opinion I would highly recommend another gastroenterologist. Preferably not in the same medical group as the first one.

Answer 4

experience has taught me that you dont neccessarily have to "fit" any particular "profile" to be diagnosed with a disease, especially after i was diagnosed with MS last summer, i dont fit the profile for that either, but i was diagnosed.
sounds like there might be a touch of "denial" there, as i have a very close friend that is only 28 and was diagnosed with diverticulitis.

Answer 5

Sometimes, when doctors don't have a clue as to what's wrong with you, they just toss out an answer like that. Something they can't really treat with medicines other than antibiotics.