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Suggest Treatment For Diverticulitis
Question: I had Dr XXXXXXX recently look at my lab results. I followed his advice. A little sooner that I expected I had to. I went to the ER over the weekend because I became ill almost over night, and these are NOW my new results. I need a 2nd opinion !
Brief Answer:
the reports please...
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I understand that you had diverticulitis. Cipro and flagyl is an appropriate regimen for this condition. I don't see any report though. Please upload them or send them directly to my email address: YYYY@YYYY
Kind Regards!
the reports please...
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I understand that you had diverticulitis. Cipro and flagyl is an appropriate regimen for this condition. I don't see any report though. Please upload them or send them directly to my email address: YYYY@YYYY
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello Dr Zografakis,
I thought I was going to get the same doctor as before: Dr. XXXXXXX so the (2) attachments were on his email-but I just uploaded them.
You got it wrong- its' not I HAD-but what the ER doctor says I HAVE after my CT scan and lab work. Again, I would like a 2nd opinion. Please do not 'just' agree with the ER doctor. because I'm not so sure he is right.
I thought I was going to get the same doctor as before: Dr. XXXXXXX so the (2) attachments were on his email-but I just uploaded them.
You got it wrong- its' not I HAD-but what the ER doctor says I HAVE after my CT scan and lab work. Again, I would like a 2nd opinion. Please do not 'just' agree with the ER doctor. because I'm not so sure he is right.
Brief Answer:
why would you doubt the doctor's opinion?
Detailed Answer:
I've checked you last reports and - indeed - they don't look much like belonging to a patient with diverticulitis but they cannot be used to confirm or rule out diseases. They are indicative only. The CT scan findings are difficult to challenge. If the radiologist is positive about this diagnosis then it has to be it.
Common symptoms of diverticulitis include lower abdominal pain, diarrhea and perhaps blood in the stool. Fever is common particularly in the more severe forms of diverticulitis.
I've also had a look at the older reports. You had low white blood cell count which may occur during infections, so this is nothing really unusual but it does raise some concerns because the numbers were very low. Following-up will help to clarify this issue.
Why would you doubt the ER doctor's diagnosis?
why would you doubt the doctor's opinion?
Detailed Answer:
I've checked you last reports and - indeed - they don't look much like belonging to a patient with diverticulitis but they cannot be used to confirm or rule out diseases. They are indicative only. The CT scan findings are difficult to challenge. If the radiologist is positive about this diagnosis then it has to be it.
Common symptoms of diverticulitis include lower abdominal pain, diarrhea and perhaps blood in the stool. Fever is common particularly in the more severe forms of diverticulitis.
I've also had a look at the older reports. You had low white blood cell count which may occur during infections, so this is nothing really unusual but it does raise some concerns because the numbers were very low. Following-up will help to clarify this issue.
Why would you doubt the ER doctor's diagnosis?
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for reading all (4) pages of the lab reports.
1. #1 and # 2 lab pages were done 1st. That was when I took Augmentin 875mg. -this was for a bladder infection that kept coming back over the course of a year.
After this last 5 days of Augmentin I got strong lower abdominal pain-I also got pain under my RT rib cage, and got dizzy. So I went to the ER-they did a CT and blood work (#3 and #4 lab pages) and urine test (NEG). The Physician Assistant said: I had Divert., I was like: 'are you sure? I have never had digestive issues in all of my life, nor have I had a bladder infection-till recently. Actually DOC, I'm pretty healthy: not a cold or a flu. So he says, you need to have a follow up appt with an Internist. But to take meds for 10days.
I looked at the CT scan-and no Radiologist made a finding.
I decided to come back to this website and ask for a 2nd opinion.
My thoughts are to have a CA 72-4 test and a Hep C test.
1. #1 and # 2 lab pages were done 1st. That was when I took Augmentin 875mg. -this was for a bladder infection that kept coming back over the course of a year.
After this last 5 days of Augmentin I got strong lower abdominal pain-I also got pain under my RT rib cage, and got dizzy. So I went to the ER-they did a CT and blood work (#3 and #4 lab pages) and urine test (NEG). The Physician Assistant said: I had Divert., I was like: 'are you sure? I have never had digestive issues in all of my life, nor have I had a bladder infection-till recently. Actually DOC, I'm pretty healthy: not a cold or a flu. So he says, you need to have a follow up appt with an Internist. But to take meds for 10days.
I looked at the CT scan-and no Radiologist made a finding.
I decided to come back to this website and ask for a 2nd opinion.
My thoughts are to have a CA 72-4 test and a Hep C test.
Brief Answer:
can you upload the CT scan report?
Detailed Answer:
I see... your story does sound a little strange. A patient taking augmentin that visits the ER with abdominal discomfort is usually experiencing side effects of the drug. So the usual 'treatment' is to stop taking the drug and perhaps initiate another treatment. Ciprofloxacin is a great drug for urinary tract infections so it's going to be OK.
But the question about diverticulitis remains. Who said that the CT scan revealed an inflammed diverticulum? Do you have a report to upload? The liver lesions is another 'gray' area. The radiologist should have an opinion about them. Liver 'lesions' can be anything from simple cysts to malignant tumors. Therefore the report is important.
Finally, regarding CA 72-4 I'm against ordering it because it's only used to evaluate the effects of treatment and potential relapses. Hepatitis C testing does not seem very relevant right now. It can be done later along with other tests for the slightly elevated transaminases.
So if you do have a report for the CT-scan please upload it too. It may help.
can you upload the CT scan report?
Detailed Answer:
I see... your story does sound a little strange. A patient taking augmentin that visits the ER with abdominal discomfort is usually experiencing side effects of the drug. So the usual 'treatment' is to stop taking the drug and perhaps initiate another treatment. Ciprofloxacin is a great drug for urinary tract infections so it's going to be OK.
But the question about diverticulitis remains. Who said that the CT scan revealed an inflammed diverticulum? Do you have a report to upload? The liver lesions is another 'gray' area. The radiologist should have an opinion about them. Liver 'lesions' can be anything from simple cysts to malignant tumors. Therefore the report is important.
Finally, regarding CA 72-4 I'm against ordering it because it's only used to evaluate the effects of treatment and potential relapses. Hepatitis C testing does not seem very relevant right now. It can be done later along with other tests for the slightly elevated transaminases.
So if you do have a report for the CT-scan please upload it too. It may help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Actually the Augmentin was prescribed for 7 days. And I have never had an adverse reaction to it before. Actually it worked in the past-but after 1-2 weeks the bladder infection came back. Thats why the Pharmacist upped the dosage from 500mg 3x's a day to 875mg 2x's a day. I believe THIS is something to do with my Liver-as it is the only thing that is clearly seen with lesions. I have uploaded the only REPORT I have that says anything about the CT scan.
Thanks for: CA 72-4 opinion, that makes sense
Thanks for: Hep C opinion, I ask about this because of the lesions, and not knowing how long they have been there and I realize that folks my age can pick up illnesses easier than younger folks. So they are asking all 65y and older residents here to have a Hep C vaccine-but I'm apprehension because I don't know if it's okay to have it given my recent health circumstances.
Thanks for: CA 72-4 opinion, that makes sense
Thanks for: Hep C opinion, I ask about this because of the lesions, and not knowing how long they have been there and I realize that folks my age can pick up illnesses easier than younger folks. So they are asking all 65y and older residents here to have a Hep C vaccine-but I'm apprehension because I don't know if it's okay to have it given my recent health circumstances.
Brief Answer:
the diagnosis is indeed in doubt...
Detailed Answer:
I've read the CT scan report and the diagnosis is not certain. There are some slight seemingly inflammatory changes in the lower part of the intestine but the radiologist is not conclusive. There are diverticula but diverticulitis is not absolutely certain. It is possible though and consistent with your abdominal symptoms.
Since the treatment would benefit your urinary tract infection too, I would suggest finishing it as prescribed and following up with the internist for assessment. I would also suggest doing a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy to check the intestine because of the "wall thickening". Wall thickening may occur during inflammatory disorders but it may also occur with tumors so clarification is required. The liver lesions should be clarified too. A CT scan with contrast, an MRI and an ultrasound scan may help. Each of them may provide different data. For example the ultrasound scan will help to distinguish between solid and cystic lesions. CT with contrast and MRI will help to classify solid lesions.
Finally, there is no hepatitis C vaccine. You're probably talking about hepatitis A vaccine (which is very important since hepatitis A can be transmitted much like a gastroenteritis) or hepatitis B vaccine. Hepatitis B is difficult to transmit because it requires blood or sexual contact.
I really hope I've shed some light into your situation.
Kind Regards!
the diagnosis is indeed in doubt...
Detailed Answer:
I've read the CT scan report and the diagnosis is not certain. There are some slight seemingly inflammatory changes in the lower part of the intestine but the radiologist is not conclusive. There are diverticula but diverticulitis is not absolutely certain. It is possible though and consistent with your abdominal symptoms.
Since the treatment would benefit your urinary tract infection too, I would suggest finishing it as prescribed and following up with the internist for assessment. I would also suggest doing a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy to check the intestine because of the "wall thickening". Wall thickening may occur during inflammatory disorders but it may also occur with tumors so clarification is required. The liver lesions should be clarified too. A CT scan with contrast, an MRI and an ultrasound scan may help. Each of them may provide different data. For example the ultrasound scan will help to distinguish between solid and cystic lesions. CT with contrast and MRI will help to classify solid lesions.
Finally, there is no hepatitis C vaccine. You're probably talking about hepatitis A vaccine (which is very important since hepatitis A can be transmitted much like a gastroenteritis) or hepatitis B vaccine. Hepatitis B is difficult to transmit because it requires blood or sexual contact.
I really hope I've shed some light into your situation.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for all that 'food for thought'. I really appreciate it. I have a follow up appt to the ER on 23 Nov 2016. I am curious as to what will be said about the condition of my health. As I agree with you about the report-nothing SEEMS to be on point.
As for Hep C vaccine-it is also on TV now to get Seniors to the Pharmacy and get vaccinated. They say that we could have been exposed years ago and is laying dormat in our bodies and can flare up and cause problems.
Anyway, thank you again for your help.
As for Hep C vaccine-it is also on TV now to get Seniors to the Pharmacy and get vaccinated. They say that we could have been exposed years ago and is laying dormat in our bodies and can flare up and cause problems.
Anyway, thank you again for your help.
Brief Answer:
You're welcome! It has to be HBV then...
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!
So it has to be HBV (hepatitis B virus) vaccine, not A. Hepatitis A causes acute disease only. HBV may cause chronic illness or a carrier-state and there is a vaccine that can be given. You'll need to be tested for prior exposure though before taking it.
Kind Regards!
You're welcome! It has to be HBV then...
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!
So it has to be HBV (hepatitis B virus) vaccine, not A. Hepatitis A causes acute disease only. HBV may cause chronic illness or a carrier-state and there is a vaccine that can be given. You'll need to be tested for prior exposure though before taking it.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Very interesting about the Hep C. I wonder why they are putting it on TV for Seniors! Are we to be the guinea pig for this NEW vaccine? Lol's
I will ask the Internist - next week about the other (2) Hep vaccines and see if he will test me prior to.
Kind Regards!
I will ask the Internist - next week about the other (2) Hep vaccines and see if he will test me prior to.
Kind Regards!
Brief Answer:
I can't say!
Detailed Answer:
Perhaps it's a misunderstanding? There is research for hepatitis C vaccine but there are technical difficulties and if there is one it has to be experimental at best. I tried to find a link for this commercial (?) and came across this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20kc5TG8ymo
This is about testing though, not vaccination. You won't find any vaccine for hepatitis C. You can talk with your internist about it too.
It's been nice talking to you...
Kind regards!
I can't say!
Detailed Answer:
Perhaps it's a misunderstanding? There is research for hepatitis C vaccine but there are technical difficulties and if there is one it has to be experimental at best. I tried to find a link for this commercial (?) and came across this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20kc5TG8ymo
This is about testing though, not vaccination. You won't find any vaccine for hepatitis C. You can talk with your internist about it too.
It's been nice talking to you...
Kind regards!
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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