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Diverticulitis and constipation
First, to say, thank you all for being here for support and helping make sense of things! I was diagnosed with diverticulitis last November, have been fine since January, and am trying to make sense what seems to be divergent views from drs. When I was flaring Nov/Dec 2023, the GI drs (saw both in the practice) said I couldn't make the flare worse or better with particular foods; I could eat whatever I wanted. They said, if I was constipated, certain foods would cause pain, but again, wouldn't alter the progression of the disease. The docs in this practice very firmly believe prohibitions against foods are wrong; they believe studies bear this out. More recently, my primary dr - an internist - has said something very different. (I think.) She says to avoid constipation at all costs, that little bits of fecal matter (She called them fecalites. No idea how it's spelled) trapped in the pockets set flares in motion. So food does matter, but I believe, to her way of thinking, it's only those foods that would promote constipation.
What do your docs say? Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom and experience. Much, much appreciated.
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Hi, Lisa,
Thanks for moving the post. I don't know if I can answer your question about episodes, because I'm not sure if I've had anything like the one that landed me in the hospital in Dec 2023. That seemed to clearly have an infectious component - I had fevers - but since then, no fevers, just occasional low-level aches and pains. Not sure if this is sub-clinical, very mild diverticulitis or the new normal for my gut. Still learning. No answers.
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4 ReactionsHi @karyn23,
I've experienced various forms of diverticulitis as well. Some have sent me to the ER for antibiotics by infusion with meds to take home. Other times, the episodes have been milder. I have found that bed rest and keeping my diet liquid (or at least soft) has helped it to resolve in a day or so.
The important thing about diverticulitis, of course, is not getting constipated. How we do this is different for each person. I've found that adding Benefiber and a spoonful of olive oil to my morning coffee (or any hot drink) helps a great deal. Other people may take MirLax or Citrucel. I've found that Metaumcil is too gritty and doesn't work well for me, but you can give it a try. I also limit my intake of roughage and only eat cooked or canned fruits and vegetables. Soups are a great way to get cooked vegetables in your diet.
How often do you have these episodes? Have you had a colonoscopy to rule out any other cause?
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4 ReactionsI was diagnosed with diverticulitis on the 'right side' about 20 years ago. I have IBS with constipation and gut issues for the last 8 years. Has anyone else had diverticulitis on the right side? I still have spells of pain on the low right side. I am wondering if I should have my gastro Dr., who I have been seeing the last 4 years, check and see if that is correct or what is the issue.
Appreciate your related input and experiences.
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1 ReactionHello @vcfoley11
While you wait for others to discuss this, I think it is probably wise to talk with your gastroenterologist about this persistent right-sided pain. Have you had a GI consultation recently?
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3 ReactionsMy diverticulitis was on my left side, but I found your right side diverticulitis interesting because of a conversation with my colorectal surgeon a couple of months after my bowel resection. We were discussing the odds of my getting it again somewhere else in my colon. Yes, it’s possible. She also told me Asians more often get it on the right side than on the left.
I just found it interesting. My assumption would be a difference in diets but that’s only my assumption.
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4 ReactionsYour story is very similar to mine. I was diagnosed last January and had another flare up in April and July that landed me in the hospital twice for a total of 9 days. Now 6 weeks out and I am back on antibiotics again. For me personally constipation seems to be the cause and my doctor does not believe in limiting seeds and nuts. I still will not eat these or popcorn. I am either regular or constipated which is also very frustrating because I drink a lot of water and exercise. I am trying to figure out what helps with the constipation and had never heard of olive oil. This site has been very helpful to me. I wish you good luck on this very frustrating journey.
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4 ReactionsI have ADDED fiber using Organic India Ground Psyllium Husk mixed with about 1/4 cup of water, whisk it in that small amount, slam it, and then follow with at least 12 oz of liquid quickly. It creates a bowel movement which is very slick and easy to move while also scraping the walls of the intestines to remove biofilms.
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1 ReactionThanks for the information. Yes, I have had two colonoscopies and they did not show any other cause. The episodes are fewer now and I handle them the way you do.
The first gastro dr I used gave me the fodmap diet but did not tell me that I needed to be tested for celiac first. After I was on the diet for 2 years, I asked him and he said I would have to eat wheat for a period of time to make the test accurate. At that time I was really struggling with digesting everything so I decided just to stay off gluten and worked with a nutritionist.
I have been slowly adding back foods as I have gotten better. Gut issues are so important and typically such a long illness that affects so much of our lives. I sympathize with all who deal with it.
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3 Reactions@vcfoley11 It is good to know that you have created an eating plan that works for you. As @cartwrib said, we often have to develop our own diet if the doctor's recommendations don't work for us. I also avoid seeds, nuts, and popcorn, as well as most roughage.
You need to experiment and often keep a food journal to determine what might be the trigger foods for your digestive tract symptoms.
Congratulations to us all for finding our way through the maze of food and digestive tract problems.
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1 Reaction@hopeful33250 I also use the weight watcher app because I am able to log what I am eating and it also tracks daily macros and nutrients for the day. This has been very helpful to me.