Diverticulitis - looking for info

Hello, everyone. I’m about 2-1/2 weeks after beginning a diverticulitis flare-up, 5th day after finishing antibiotics. This is my 3rd time with diverticulitis. Have been gradually getting better—started with liquid diet then gradually adding low-residue foods, lots of water. No fever for about a week. Was very encouraged that we caught this flare early and that I’ll soon be back to a more normal diet and active life.

Today I went out in the car driven by my husband, wanted to do a little low-key shopping. While at the store the lower abdomen started clenching really badly again, felt like diarrhea with possible vomiting. Dear husband got me home quickly to bathroom and rest. Just water and the rest for the last 5 hours. I have an intermittant low fever again, varying between 99.4 and 99.1, but down to normal just now.

Has anyone else relapsed about 5 days after finishing the course of antibiotics? I’m still on the probiotics. I’m thinking of seeing how I do tonight back on the liquid diet and calling the doctor in the morning if I’m not better. Or should I let her know right away?

Thanks for any information or encouragement!

Hello, everyone. I’m about 2-1/2 weeks after beginning a diverticulitis flare-up, 5th day after finishing antibiotics. This is my 3rd time with diverticulitis. Have been gradually getting better—started with liquid diet then gradually adding low-residue foods, lots of water. No fever for about a week. Was very encouraged that we caught this flare early and that I’ll soon be back to a more normal diet and active life.

Today I went out in the car driven by my husband, wanted to do a little low-key shopping. While at the store the lower abdomen started clenching really badly again, felt like diarrhea with possible vomiting. Dear husband got me home quickly to bathroom and rest. Just water and the rest for the last 5 hours. I have an intermittant low fever again, varying between 99.4 and 99.1, but down to normal just now.

Has anyone else relapsed about 5 days after finishing the course of antibiotics? I’m still on the probiotics. I’m thinking of seeing how I do tonight back on the liquid diet and calling the doctor in the morning if I’m not better. Or should I let her know right away?

Thanks for any information or encouragement!

Hello. I have was diagnosed with diverticulitis in January of this year I recently had my third flare up and was hospitalized the first time for three days and the next week for six days. The first time I went to the ER they thought I had a UTI and we’re going to do a CT Scan without drinking contrast. I had to advocate for the contrast because I knew I was having a flare up. It turns out I was right and I was put on Zosyn by an Infectious Disease Specialist and sent home with picc line so I could self administer at home after three days of hospitalization. You are given very little information about what to eat when you go home. Needless to say I ended up in another ER with extreme pain and sat there for 7 hours waiting to get a room after another CT Scan. I actually had a Dr ask if I wanted to be admitted which was very confusing to me. I was admitted and was assigned a Colo/Rectal surgeon who directed my diet and was very good at helping me understand what to eat and expectations for follow up visit. My concern now is that they found an air bubble in my bladder. This was not addressed until an after visit with my primary care who looked at second CT and found the bubble was still there. Now I am having a CT for a possible fistula. Through out this I never had any other symptoms. No fever, nausea, blood or UTI. To say the least I am very disheartened and frustrated. I feel I really had to advocate for myself. Has anyone else experienced this? I feel very down right now and just want to get my normal life back.

I've had 3 bouts of diverticulitis. No doctors really gave me any info on diets to follow.
I had 2 opinions on surgery. One said take out sigmoid colon. The other said not yet.
I since 3rd bout spoke to a new primary about diet, bought a book on diverticulosis diet, and have been communicating with a very nice PA in the colonoscopy practice. I had been dieting and constipated Which I think contributed to the attacks.

I still don't eat as much high fiber as I did before the last attack. I am still afraid to eat popcorn, because I had a big bowl of popcorn before my last attack. The PA told me Miralax every other day to keep stools soft. On the off days I have 2 prunes and/or prune juice. I don't mind them at all . I have Benefiber in my morning coffee every day. I had tried Metamucil-it's gritty and nasty in my opinion! I have recently added a granola bar as a night time snack. I would say my diet is medium fiber. I eat cashews, lettuce, canned peaches, seedless watermelon. Very little beef-and I was raised on beef! Mostly chicken and turkey. Cooked green beans. rice, mashed potatoes. I'm a finatic on having a BM daily! If I start to feel a little uncomfortable on left side, I go liquids and soft foods for a day or two.

Look on Amazon or at your library for books on diet, or just Google "Diet for Diverticulitis.

GOOD LUCK!

I've had 3 bouts of diverticulitis. No doctors really gave me any info on diets to follow.
I had 2 opinions on surgery. One said take out sigmoid colon. The other said not yet.
I since 3rd bout spoke to a new primary about diet, bought a book on diverticulosis diet, and have been communicating with a very nice PA in the colonoscopy practice. I had been dieting and constipated Which I think contributed to the attacks.

I still don't eat as much high fiber as I did before the last attack. I am still afraid to eat popcorn, because I had a big bowl of popcorn before my last attack. The PA told me Miralax every other day to keep stools soft. On the off days I have 2 prunes and/or prune juice. I don't mind them at all . I have Benefiber in my morning coffee every day. I had tried Metamucil-it's gritty and nasty in my opinion! I have recently added a granola bar as a night time snack. I would say my diet is medium fiber. I eat cashews, lettuce, canned peaches, seedless watermelon. Very little beef-and I was raised on beef! Mostly chicken and turkey. Cooked green beans. rice, mashed potatoes. I'm a finatic on having a BM daily! If I start to feel a little uncomfortable on left side, I go liquids and soft foods for a day or two.

Look on Amazon or at your library for books on diet, or just Google "Diet for Diverticulitis.

GOOD LUCK!

@laughterhelps - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I wanted to let you know I moved your post here so you could connect with even more people talking about diverticulitis. Please meet @jpritch2 @musicflowers4u @lily2023 @neenee @oceanone and @hopeful33250. Hoping they will have some insights on how soon to get your doctor involved and also some encouragement for you.

A third time with a flare sounds rough. Relapsing 5 days after finishing antibiotics would be discouraging to me. So glad your husband was with you to take care of you when you felt so bad today.

I like your thought about letting your doctor know soon that things are regressing. Did you end up calling or messaging today? Did your doctor mention the possibility you might need more beyond the antibiotic to get well?

I am still very grateful every day for my surgery I had. It is nice not having a special diet and hoping not to have another episode. When I read my surgery notes and think of all the damage that had been done, I was very fortunate they could "fix" it.

Hello, Lisa. Thanks for getting me moved to the diverticulitis discussion--I'm new to May Clinic Connect and am learning my way around. I appreciate the encouraging words and to be able to connect with people who understand!

My temperature has stayed down to normal after the initial few hours of the relapse, and the gut discomfort has eased since I went back to the lighter stage of the recovery diet. My doctor said that I just need to take things slower and not rush on to more fibrous foods yet. So...I'm keeping it light and trying to be patient.

Greetings to everyone in the group--I pray for the best possible health for each of you!