Diverticulitis - looking for info

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!

Hi, @laughterhelps - wondering how things are going with your gut? What kinds of things are you eating this week?

The absolute worst experience I had with diverticulitis was when I thought I was over it after about 4 days so I stopped halfway thru the Bactrim (which I hate) and talked myself into believing it was a false attack. A few weeks later it came roaring back and I had an attack that almost killed me despite restarting the Bactrim & clear liquids. I’m guessing you only have one chance to beat it and you better give that chance all you’ve got and not fool around the way I did. Despite how much you hate clear liquids and antibiotics. Don’t stop treatment prematurely.

Hello @laughterhelps

It sounds like you are having a troublesome time with diverticulitis. A liquid diet is a good idea and getting in touch with your doctor on Monday morning would be a reasonable thing to do. I see that your symptoms returned five days after stopping the antibiotics. How long were you taking the antibiotics?

A soft diet is really important after a flare-up. Greek yogurt is a good food to help with any gut problems. How are you feeling today?

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’m reading this thread to gain info about bowel surgery. I have a family member who is having surgery today to address a blockage. I don’t know the details, but couldn’t locate a recent thread here about that. I’m terribly worried as she is in distress and is weak. Hoping and praying she’ll be ok.

I’m reading this thread to gain info about bowel surgery. I have a family member who is having surgery today to address a blockage. I don’t know the details, but couldn’t locate a recent thread here about that. I’m terribly worried as she is in distress and is weak. Hoping and praying she’ll be ok.

Hi, @hopeful33250. Thanks for your kind words. To answer your question, I had 10 days of 2 different antibiotics at the same time - Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride and Metronidazole. My body is pretty resistant to antibiotics and since last time it was hard to get the infection down my doctor has been having me hit it hard to begin with. She also put me on Enterol probiotic during the course of antibiotics, then Bio-Kult probiotic for a while after I finish the antibiotics. She doesn't want it to get as serious as it did before.

Thankfully I'm gradually getting better now, just continue to eat carefully and rest a lot.

Have a great day!