Living with diverticulitis

I asked my urogynocologist that question. Her simple answer was she was consistently treated me as a "complicated" UTI. I was given longer days on antibiotics, so that I wasn't repopulating. Other changes included a vaginal estrogen crème to strengten the tissues and I started taking D-Mannose (supplement). I had a pessary that helped to keep my bladder in position to try and ward off retention which was a contributing factor to UTI.
This past June, having gone without a UTI for months, I began bleeding. Got all the tests and was planning a biopsy, when she uncovered that I am a victim of eroding mesh from a 1994 mesh sling used to lift my bladder. I was operated on this past July to remove what could be seen. The eroding mesh was causing the bleeding tissue. I have a suspicion the eroding pieces of mesh have been the cause of my UTI's and much more. I'm still trying to figure it out. Best wishes for your journey to finds a solution.

I have tried MiraLAX .Metamucil does anyone else have any recommendations on fiber supplements that take everyday I had diverticulitis in June with a whole in color (abscess) had colonoscopy and have 2 spots of diverticulitis and to eat regular food other than soft leaves pain in side. Been drinking 64 ounces of water still no luck please help

After I had to have a colon resection I asked the surgeon what I needed to do to prevent it from ever happening again. His answer was a quick “never let yourself get constipated.” Well that is easier said than done if you have chronic intestinal issues. I tried both Metamucil and Miralax. They did nothing at all. What has worked for me is IBS Clear with bioperine. I know it probably won’t work for everyone, but for me it does, Good luck.

Klsp, Slippery elm (inner bark) powder. The Frontier brand is very good. Put some in hot cereal or a hot drink. I use it with each meal. 1/8 teaspoon per meal for me. See what works for you.

Also Hilma Gentel Bowel Support for magnesium, it softens stool.

For fiber, I use plantain flour for my hot cereal and baked goods. Cooked potatoes, butternut squash, parsnips. You should be able to tolerate spinach.

Eggs, especially the egg white protein, is gentle protein and heals any inflammation.

Lactose free milk is gentle too.

This is my first diverticulitis flare-up after being diagnosed with it last year. I've been searching numerous medical websites for acceptable low residue foods and have found some fairly wild variations. Some say yes to tomato juice, some don't include it, while others say fresh cherries, grapefruit, nectarines, peaches and plums are allowed ( no mention of whether they need to be peeled, and you can't peel a cherry). One includes canned artichoke hearts others say absolutely NO. Those are just a few examples. Why is there so much disagreement and how do I get it right?

@sandrajhunt glad you got some relief….getting more than the occasional short-lived constipation means that poo can get impacted into the diverticula and possibly progress to painful flare ups…also, hydration is absolutely key…you don’t necessarily feel dehydration, but it can really be a problem that causes other problems…best of luck to you.

@ajwilliams diets for people with problems in digestive system can be tricky…make sure the websites are really good, like Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic, also NIH.. probably very little food if at all when there’s a flare-up, and very gently and slowly add mild foods , small meals…your doctor should be able to give you a guideline for maximum healing that fits you. Nutritionists can also help. Just be very kind to your gut !

Hi, @ajwilliams and welcome to Connect! I agree with @nycmusic that eating with diverticulitis can be tricky. Everyone is different, and then add in the plethora of information available online.

Here is a good overview of what Mayo Clinic knows about how to eat when you have diverticulitis. It is helpful to explain the ‘why’ behind choices that important to everyone who deals with it. It also stresses the importance of making incremental changes.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/diverticulitis-diet/art-20048499
Understanding the “why” may be more beneficial for you rather than following food rules. Do you think sitting down with a dietician/nutritionist would be helpful?

@jlharsh thanks ! This is excellent @

@jlharsh Thank you for the good advice. Dieticians and nutritionists are not affordable for me. I have been a vegetarian for 29 years and never had much trouble with gut issues until I hurt my back, lost my appetite, stayed immobile for too long and went to a bad chiropractor who had me take large doses of ibuprofen for 3 days. Recently I hurt my shoulder and did not maintain a high fiber diet for several days then ate a heavily seeded bread that made me sick. Not realizing that I needed to wait a few days on a low residue diet I continued to eat high fiber foods and it got worse. I think that was the trigger.