Expert: JM Starkman, MD - 11/28/2009

Question
My Mother has had this condition for many years - usually well managed by drugs and diet.  She has just had an operation to replace a knee (under epidural)and now has the most serious flare up of her life!  She in still in hospital (8 days) and has been nil by mouth except sips of water for 5 days, blood count fluctuating and no control over bowel whatsoever.  She was given morphine immediately after knee op for pain relief and this made her terribly sick.  Why is this happening - could it be the drugs she's been given? she was so well previoulsy.

Answer
Diverticulitis, an inflammation by definition, is controlled by "things" that minimize inflammation---as you've noted was her preoperative condition.  Surgery CAUSES inflammation--and lots of it-- because inflammation is the process which must be activated to heal the surgical wounds.  

Get her out of the hospital and back on her usual routine.  Her diet should be clear liquids and advanced very slowly as tolerated.