Living with diverticulitis: How do I keep it from coming back?

@learningtim: sharing my journey. I was 67 ( I am female) when I had my first flare up and hospitalization. I was told I needed a colonoscopy within 3 months. I was So fortunate to have a gastro surgeon perform that because I was still sick and the doctor performing it immediately told me I was still quite inflamed. He also told me if I wanted to consider elective surgery to contact his office. I was terrified at the idea. I too thought I could keep it at bay with diet etc. I too journaled everything. What I ate, my pain, my bowel movements etc. I delayed any surgery decisions. Well fast forward and almost 3 years past the first episode. I continued to have flare ups. My surgeon was very clear that I could treat each flare up. And based on my disease he saw I had a 95% chance that I would have more. And diet changes would not going to help. He also said I could choose to just keep treating each episode. Ie antibiotics. Maybe hospitalizations etc. And surgery would be a quality of life decision. I was finding myself so sick on the antibiotics with each of the 6 flare ups over those 3 years and constant anxiety and fear I decided to have the surgery. ( also after trying hypnotherapy and a naturopath because I was still hoping to keep it at bay. But it didn’t work. I also asked him if this was his mother with this case like mine, what would he tell her? Without hesitation he said I would tell her to have the surgery! 😀 I am 3 months post surgery and have no regrets. Recovery was a bit longer / harder than I expected but I am really doing well now. So worth it. And I was lucky to get the amazing and kind surgeon that I got. It was done robotically and laparoscopic. I empathize with you. It is all terrifying. But if you can find a good surgeon who will take the time to review your case / condition of your disease, It will help dramatically on how you might proceed. Good luck

@dormor321 I was also terrified to have the surgery. But, I was also terrified of living like this the rest of my life. I decided to have the surgery after my last ER visit in Nov. 23 and had my surgery in Mar 24 on my 60th B'day. I was in good health and on 24 hr anti inflammation meds and low residue diet for the 5 mths to prepare. I also stayed on VSL3 pre probiotics. Stayed on my normal exercise routine and diet.
Mine was supposed to be robotic. But, they had to cut me open from belly button down and call in a urologist and another surgeon to help due to all the scar tissue that attached to my ureters and other area
s. They had me down for 4-5 days in hospital and I was out in 2! Long recovery... Everything has to move back in place. Very glad and thankful for my surgeons and have had no issues.

@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 I have found that the worst thing for me is fiber. I don't know why so many doctors recommend it.

@linda82 did they not see the scare tissue attached in areas through CT Scans and discovered it once the were in? I'm scheduled for laparoscopic so I'm curious.

@ajwilliams I have found that the worst thing for me is fiber. I don't know why so many doctors recommend it.

I have suffered from IBS, diverticulitis and spastic colon for many years. I have tried zillion things. Many doctors and tons of meds. Do not have celiac or gluten allergy.
When it flares up…I take at least for a week…
Sour dough bread slices for breakfast, lunch rice,
yogurt(1/2 cup twice a day)), fresh pineapple ( 4/5 pieces) in the evening. Late afternoon warm ginger, lemon and 1/4 teaspoons honey tea. If stomach is very spasmodic and pain full I take one tablet of Gabapentin. And most of all breathing exercises twice a day. This seems to help! 🤷‍♀️☮️

Hi @manisham - wondering how your IBS, diverticulitis and spastic colon have been lately? Have you had any recent flares?

@dormor321 I was also terrified to have the surgery. But, I was also terrified of living like this the rest of my life. I decided to have the surgery after my last ER visit in Nov. 23 and had my surgery in Mar 24 on my 60th B'day. I was in good health and on 24 hr anti inflammation meds and low residue diet for the 5 mths to prepare. I also stayed on VSL3 pre probiotics. Stayed on my normal exercise routine and diet.
Mine was supposed to be robotic. But, they had to cut me open from belly button down and call in a urologist and another surgeon to help due to all the scar tissue that attached to my ureters and other area
s. They had me down for 4-5 days in hospital and I was out in 2! Long recovery... Everything has to move back in place. Very glad and thankful for my surgeons and have had no issues.

@linda82

Hi there. just wanted to let you know - YOU were inspired me to have the robic colon surgery and they took out my left and right overy on 10\27'2025..... i been suffering with diverticulitst since 2016.... I WISH I HAD THE SURGERY SOONER----I FEEL SOOOOOOOOOOO, MUCH Better and the surgery went absoulty well--Praise God.......thank you for your kindness and help with me making a decision to live my life at it's best...God Bless