Diverticulitis and constipation

@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.

Hi @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?

I had MRI done this past June that indicates Diverticulitis. I've been having flare ups lately and liquid diet seems to quell the flares, but I have to admit that it is scary to me since I've not experienced this before but I am getting older and sometimes these are things that hit you that you've not experienced before. I know my God has not given me a spirit of fear so while attempting to do the right things naturally to help me with these flare ups, I continue to pray and ask for healing, health, and guidance in this journey. Thanks for listening!

Hello @trured and welcome to Mayo Connect. I do understand what you mean about getting older. Aging does bring about more aches, pains, and digestive tract problems. I see that a liquid diet helps to quell the flare-ups. What type of eating plan do you follow on a regular basis? Do you drink water and have some exercise plan in place?

@hopeful33250
Drink water daily and during flare ups, drink liquids including grape juice, apple juice, clear broth, lemon popsicle bars, coffee with honey- no creamer. Also use heating pad and Tylenol to control the discomfort. Regular eating plan consists of chicken, some fish and meat, cooked vegetables and sometimes a salad but not on a consistent basis. Again, drink water daily and take one 8oz glass of Metamucil once only on Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays. I walk daily and lift weights 3× a week.

@trured
You have a good eating/exercise plan in place!

@hopeful33250
Thanks!
One thing I forgot to mention was that I will likely have to lay off the potato chips as that seems to bother my gut; one to three chips are fine, but any more than that I'm asking for trouble, so it is best to leave them alone so it's goodbye Lays (as a tear falls from my eye...lol!)

@hopeful33250
Drink water daily and during flare ups, drink liquids including grape juice, apple juice, clear broth, lemon popsicle bars, coffee with honey- no creamer. Also use heating pad and Tylenol to control the discomfort. Regular eating plan consists of chicken, some fish and meat, cooked vegetables and sometimes a salad but not on a consistent basis. Again, drink water daily and take one 8oz glass of Metamucil once only on Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays. I walk daily and lift weights 3× a week.

@trured When I used to have flare ups, I would drink Chamomile and peppermint tea. It was my go too to ease the pain. I did try the diverticulitis tea too. Which was good.