@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.
@ajwilliams it seems that a number of us think that we need to eat more fiber too soon, hoping that will get things moving…but that can back things up, at least in my experience…you are discovering that like I did, by trial and error…also, ibuprofen can cause backup…beware of taking too much as it can really hurt your GI…for good dietary info, the Mayo Clinic website is very helpful for a variety of issues.wishing you relief !
I had a flare a week ago. I was put on antibiotics which gave me very bad diarrhea. Finished with that. Now have constipation. I took a ducolax yesterday and it helped give me relief. However, I feel new stool moving in and the pain is stabbing.
I know I still have a great deal of inflammation left. I did 3 days of clear liquids and then 2 days of BRATTY diet and added plain tuna yesterday and rice crispies with oat milk. So diet has been very strict.
My question is: when will normal stools come back and what has helped you in the past.
I think I’ll try colace today as to not “stimulate” the bowels.
Help!?
Geri
I experienced my 1st diverticulitis attack 2 weeks ago necessitating a trip to the E.R. I could not believe the pain. I am over it for now, but like others, fear it could return. How do I prevent? I battle multiple other G.I. issues which I'm sure are connected, but getting this was a real doozie!!
Hi - I’ve had confirmed diverticulitis at least 6 lc and most recently feels like 1x per month. I’m in severe pain today. Each time I am treated with Augmentin. And last time within 2 weeks I had both transverse and regular diverticulitis.
@samca298 I have found that Augmentin does zip. The GPs all love it but lately Bactrim seems to be the preferred antibiotic of most gastroenterologists. I think we have all built up a tolerance to Augmentin because it was used so much. This is just my opinion, of course, and I am not an MD - but it makes sense.
@ajwilliams it seems that a number of us think that we need to eat more fiber too soon, hoping that will get things moving…but that can back things up, at least in my experience…you are discovering that like I did, by trial and error…also, ibuprofen can cause backup…beware of taking too much as it can really hurt your GI…for good dietary info, the Mayo Clinic website is very helpful for a variety of issues.wishing you relief !
@nycmusic I have been on a 3 year journey with diverticulitis. My first flare up was very bad ending me up in the hospital for 3 nights and IV antibiotics. I had a colonoscopy 3 or 4 months after that and really still quite inflamed. I could get no real guidance after the first episode. On how to heal and what to do to avoid getting it again. My primary did not have a lot of. experience treating it and my gastroenterologist surgeon who I met during my colonoscopy suggested eating high fiber diet and see him regarding elective surgery to remove part of my colon. This whole time period from the first flare up and beyond was not good. I felt sick for months and battled constipation. Probably because I was trying to change my diet to high fiber in the midst of still being quite inflamed. Getting that first appointment with the gastro surgeon took months. After meeting with him I decided to continue to try diet changes and hold off on surgery. Despite the surgeons view that I would be facing more flare ups I opted not to plan surgery. The following 2 plus years resulted in 4 more flare ups and ER visits and another hospital stay. The side effects of the antibiotics with each episode just kept getting worse. In hindsight, I think I should have not been trying to move to a high fiber diet so quickly and I could have tried using MiraLAX to help with constipation. I have learned that I can use MiraLAX daily safely to help with constipation. But given I did not know to do either of these things I just kept having flare ups. And even if I did do these things there is no guarantee it would have kept flare ups at bay. But I still wish I knew to try these changes. So 3 months ago I had the elective laparoscopic colon resection surgery. I am 70 years old and recovery is going as it should per my surgeon. But I did not expect it to take as long as it is taking based on things people posted on various websites about their colon resection surgery and recovery experiences. Being 3 months out now from the surgery I can firmly say I am glad I did it. My anxiety and stress over the fear of the pain from the disease is improving. Per my surgeon, I must eat high fiber, reduce stress, and take 2 tablespoons of Metamucil daily for the rest of my life. So I don’t ovewhelm my colon I am increasing the fiber and the Metamucil slowly. And if I feel constipated at all I take MiraLAX. And if I need to take it daily I know I can do that safely. Based on what my doctors have told me.
@nycmusic I have been on a 3 year journey with diverticulitis. My first flare up was very bad ending me up in the hospital for 3 nights and IV antibiotics. I had a colonoscopy 3 or 4 months after that and really still quite inflamed. I could get no real guidance after the first episode. On how to heal and what to do to avoid getting it again. My primary did not have a lot of. experience treating it and my gastroenterologist surgeon who I met during my colonoscopy suggested eating high fiber diet and see him regarding elective surgery to remove part of my colon. This whole time period from the first flare up and beyond was not good. I felt sick for months and battled constipation. Probably because I was trying to change my diet to high fiber in the midst of still being quite inflamed. Getting that first appointment with the gastro surgeon took months. After meeting with him I decided to continue to try diet changes and hold off on surgery. Despite the surgeons view that I would be facing more flare ups I opted not to plan surgery. The following 2 plus years resulted in 4 more flare ups and ER visits and another hospital stay. The side effects of the antibiotics with each episode just kept getting worse. In hindsight, I think I should have not been trying to move to a high fiber diet so quickly and I could have tried using MiraLAX to help with constipation. I have learned that I can use MiraLAX daily safely to help with constipation. But given I did not know to do either of these things I just kept having flare ups. And even if I did do these things there is no guarantee it would have kept flare ups at bay. But I still wish I knew to try these changes. So 3 months ago I had the elective laparoscopic colon resection surgery. I am 70 years old and recovery is going as it should per my surgeon. But I did not expect it to take as long as it is taking based on things people posted on various websites about their colon resection surgery and recovery experiences. Being 3 months out now from the surgery I can firmly say I am glad I did it. My anxiety and stress over the fear of the pain from the disease is improving. Per my surgeon, I must eat high fiber, reduce stress, and take 2 tablespoons of Metamucil daily for the rest of my life. So I don’t ovewhelm my colon I am increasing the fiber and the Metamucil slowly. And if I feel constipated at all I take MiraLAX. And if I need to take it daily I know I can do that safely. Based on what my doctors have told me.
@dormor321 hi, it sounds like you are on a better path after so much suffering…quite a story ! It does seem to me that dietary advice is a weakness in the medical community….doctors, even nutritionists, urge people to eat too much/too much fiber too fast before they are properly healing. your story can help others-thank you, and I wish you good health !
@nycmusic I have been on a 3 year journey with diverticulitis. My first flare up was very bad ending me up in the hospital for 3 nights and IV antibiotics. I had a colonoscopy 3 or 4 months after that and really still quite inflamed. I could get no real guidance after the first episode. On how to heal and what to do to avoid getting it again. My primary did not have a lot of. experience treating it and my gastroenterologist surgeon who I met during my colonoscopy suggested eating high fiber diet and see him regarding elective surgery to remove part of my colon. This whole time period from the first flare up and beyond was not good. I felt sick for months and battled constipation. Probably because I was trying to change my diet to high fiber in the midst of still being quite inflamed. Getting that first appointment with the gastro surgeon took months. After meeting with him I decided to continue to try diet changes and hold off on surgery. Despite the surgeons view that I would be facing more flare ups I opted not to plan surgery. The following 2 plus years resulted in 4 more flare ups and ER visits and another hospital stay. The side effects of the antibiotics with each episode just kept getting worse. In hindsight, I think I should have not been trying to move to a high fiber diet so quickly and I could have tried using MiraLAX to help with constipation. I have learned that I can use MiraLAX daily safely to help with constipation. But given I did not know to do either of these things I just kept having flare ups. And even if I did do these things there is no guarantee it would have kept flare ups at bay. But I still wish I knew to try these changes. So 3 months ago I had the elective laparoscopic colon resection surgery. I am 70 years old and recovery is going as it should per my surgeon. But I did not expect it to take as long as it is taking based on things people posted on various websites about their colon resection surgery and recovery experiences. Being 3 months out now from the surgery I can firmly say I am glad I did it. My anxiety and stress over the fear of the pain from the disease is improving. Per my surgeon, I must eat high fiber, reduce stress, and take 2 tablespoons of Metamucil daily for the rest of my life. So I don’t ovewhelm my colon I am increasing the fiber and the Metamucil slowly. And if I feel constipated at all I take MiraLAX. And if I need to take it daily I know I can do that safely. Based on what my doctors have told me.
@dormor321 That is great. You will keep getting better. It took me a good 5-6 mths. It's been over 2 yrs and I am so happy to have had the surgery. They hardest part is feeling full quick. Its small meals and lots of fluids. My hardest thing is making sure I get all my fruits, veggies, and protein.
I have not had to take anything OTC for fiber or constipation. (maybe 2 - 3 time and just had MiraLAX)
Go to's are bananas, avocado and stone ground bread. I also have a grapefruit everyday late afternoon. WALK every time you eat!
I experienced my 1st diverticulitis attack 2 weeks ago necessitating a trip to the E.R. I could not believe the pain. I am over it for now, but like others, fear it could return. How do I prevent? I battle multiple other G.I. issues which I'm sure are connected, but getting this was a real doozie!!
@bkatz43 You probably have had for a while. I remember my first really bad episode and my Dr. said it will keep happening and getting worse with every episode. Did they see it on the CT scan in ER?
Have you had your colonoscopy?
I tried everything diet and sometimes that does not work. It the pocket gets food stuck in it will always go to an infection.
You must drink a lot with every meal and try not to overeat.
Hello,
I am currently recovering from my third flare up. I also, jumped back to quickly with solid foods. Now I am going to step back and alternate between 2 liquid meals and 1 solid for the next 5 days.
Does anyone have recipes for "liquid" meals?
I can make a Chicken Bone Broth based soup and then mash up the cooked veggies. What I don't know is what are the best/safe veggies to maximize my best nutrition.
Suggestions?
@ajwilliams it seems that a number of us think that we need to eat more fiber too soon, hoping that will get things moving…but that can back things up, at least in my experience…you are discovering that like I did, by trial and error…also, ibuprofen can cause backup…beware of taking too much as it can really hurt your GI…for good dietary info, the Mayo Clinic website is very helpful for a variety of issues.wishing you relief !
@nycmusic I think that just happened to me. I took 1,200 mg of ibuprofen for two weeks for back inflammation at the direction of my orthopedic doctor. Weeks later I get a diverticulitis attack for no good reason. Antibiotics eventually fight that off and I slowly add solids and then fiber and just when I feel like things are normal I get a second attack which I am working through now. I have a suspicion that high fiber is the opposite of what I need to prevent diverticulitis. I know that is contrary to current advice, but more fiber has historically made going somewhat more difficult.
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@ajwilliams it seems that a number of us think that we need to eat more fiber too soon, hoping that will get things moving…but that can back things up, at least in my experience…you are discovering that like I did, by trial and error…also, ibuprofen can cause backup…beware of taking too much as it can really hurt your GI…for good dietary info, the Mayo Clinic website is very helpful for a variety of issues.wishing you relief !
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI had a flare a week ago. I was put on antibiotics which gave me very bad diarrhea. Finished with that. Now have constipation. I took a ducolax yesterday and it helped give me relief. However, I feel new stool moving in and the pain is stabbing.
I know I still have a great deal of inflammation left. I did 3 days of clear liquids and then 2 days of BRATTY diet and added plain tuna yesterday and rice crispies with oat milk. So diet has been very strict.
My question is: when will normal stools come back and what has helped you in the past.
I think I’ll try colace today as to not “stimulate” the bowels.
Help!?
Geri
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsI experienced my 1st diverticulitis attack 2 weeks ago necessitating a trip to the E.R. I could not believe the pain. I am over it for now, but like others, fear it could return. How do I prevent? I battle multiple other G.I. issues which I'm sure are connected, but getting this was a real doozie!!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions@samca298 I have found that Augmentin does zip. The GPs all love it but lately Bactrim seems to be the preferred antibiotic of most gastroenterologists. I think we have all built up a tolerance to Augmentin because it was used so much. This is just my opinion, of course, and I am not an MD - but it makes sense.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@nycmusic I have been on a 3 year journey with diverticulitis. My first flare up was very bad ending me up in the hospital for 3 nights and IV antibiotics. I had a colonoscopy 3 or 4 months after that and really still quite inflamed. I could get no real guidance after the first episode. On how to heal and what to do to avoid getting it again. My primary did not have a lot of. experience treating it and my gastroenterologist surgeon who I met during my colonoscopy suggested eating high fiber diet and see him regarding elective surgery to remove part of my colon. This whole time period from the first flare up and beyond was not good. I felt sick for months and battled constipation. Probably because I was trying to change my diet to high fiber in the midst of still being quite inflamed. Getting that first appointment with the gastro surgeon took months. After meeting with him I decided to continue to try diet changes and hold off on surgery. Despite the surgeons view that I would be facing more flare ups I opted not to plan surgery. The following 2 plus years resulted in 4 more flare ups and ER visits and another hospital stay. The side effects of the antibiotics with each episode just kept getting worse. In hindsight, I think I should have not been trying to move to a high fiber diet so quickly and I could have tried using MiraLAX to help with constipation. I have learned that I can use MiraLAX daily safely to help with constipation. But given I did not know to do either of these things I just kept having flare ups. And even if I did do these things there is no guarantee it would have kept flare ups at bay. But I still wish I knew to try these changes. So 3 months ago I had the elective laparoscopic colon resection surgery. I am 70 years old and recovery is going as it should per my surgeon. But I did not expect it to take as long as it is taking based on things people posted on various websites about their colon resection surgery and recovery experiences. Being 3 months out now from the surgery I can firmly say I am glad I did it. My anxiety and stress over the fear of the pain from the disease is improving. Per my surgeon, I must eat high fiber, reduce stress, and take 2 tablespoons of Metamucil daily for the rest of my life. So I don’t ovewhelm my colon I am increasing the fiber and the Metamucil slowly. And if I feel constipated at all I take MiraLAX. And if I need to take it daily I know I can do that safely. Based on what my doctors have told me.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions@dormor321 hi, it sounds like you are on a better path after so much suffering…quite a story ! It does seem to me that dietary advice is a weakness in the medical community….doctors, even nutritionists, urge people to eat too much/too much fiber too fast before they are properly healing. your story can help others-thank you, and I wish you good health !
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@dormor321 That is great. You will keep getting better. It took me a good 5-6 mths. It's been over 2 yrs and I am so happy to have had the surgery. They hardest part is feeling full quick. Its small meals and lots of fluids. My hardest thing is making sure I get all my fruits, veggies, and protein.
I have not had to take anything OTC for fiber or constipation. (maybe 2 - 3 time and just had MiraLAX)
Go to's are bananas, avocado and stone ground bread. I also have a grapefruit everyday late afternoon. WALK every time you eat!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@bkatz43 You probably have had for a while. I remember my first really bad episode and my Dr. said it will keep happening and getting worse with every episode. Did they see it on the CT scan in ER?
Have you had your colonoscopy?
I tried everything diet and sometimes that does not work. It the pocket gets food stuck in it will always go to an infection.
You must drink a lot with every meal and try not to overeat.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHello,
I am currently recovering from my third flare up. I also, jumped back to quickly with solid foods. Now I am going to step back and alternate between 2 liquid meals and 1 solid for the next 5 days.
Does anyone have recipes for "liquid" meals?
I can make a Chicken Bone Broth based soup and then mash up the cooked veggies. What I don't know is what are the best/safe veggies to maximize my best nutrition.
Suggestions?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@nycmusic I think that just happened to me. I took 1,200 mg of ibuprofen for two weeks for back inflammation at the direction of my orthopedic doctor. Weeks later I get a diverticulitis attack for no good reason. Antibiotics eventually fight that off and I slowly add solids and then fiber and just when I feel like things are normal I get a second attack which I am working through now. I have a suspicion that high fiber is the opposite of what I need to prevent diverticulitis. I know that is contrary to current advice, but more fiber has historically made going somewhat more difficult.