Diverticulosis

Posted by sourissj42 @sourissj42, Aug 2, 2018

What helps as far as "herbs" for diverticulosis?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

Hi @sourissj42. Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.

I've moved your post here to the Digestive Heath group, thinking you'd get more discussion from others with similar experiences here.

I thought I'd share some Mayo Clinic information on diverticulosis you may find interesting, https://mayocl.in/2O3QmKe. I'm guessing, as you were asking about herbs that might help this condition, that you are dealing with it.

I'd like to introduce you to a few others on Connect who have talked about diverticulosis, like @nanny23 @musicflowers4u @1942daa @lauriefrancis and @darlia, in hopes they can share about their experience with the condition and any experience with herbs for it. @fourof5zs may also have some thoughts, and I'd also like you to meet @kanaazpereira.

Have you tried any herbs so far, @sourissj42?

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Hello, I have diverticulitis and colitis. My doctor said to try IBgard which is peppermint oil. It didn't make a difference for me. I don't know of any other herbs.

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I can’t comment on herbs. Re diverticulosis I avoid popcorn kernels, corn, seeds, grape skins, etc., kiwi seeds, anything that gets caught in the intestinal pockets.

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@musicflowers4u

I can’t comment on herbs. Re diverticulosis I avoid popcorn kernels, corn, seeds, grape skins, etc., kiwi seeds, anything that gets caught in the intestinal pockets.

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@musicflowers4u
Yes, those are the things I avoid as well.

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@musicflowers4u, @hopeful33250- I had a couple of years that I was having this terrible discomfort & pain to the point that I was doubled over in pain.
I went to the Dr. and the 1st time given some nasty drugs which helped in that case and then sporadic other times when I felt like I had the flu and again the lower belly pain and constipation. I think I took some Tylenol and used one of those rice bags that you put in the micro and would get comfort from the heat it put off. The 2nd time that it came back really bad and I was put on some other antibiotics and was sent to talk with a surgeon who deals with these kinds of cases. I had known someone else that had this surgery and swore by it, but I wanted to hear what this surgeon had to say. He explained why often surgery is the best option because if I were to have a rupture one could die from this. That got my attention! He also told me that we cannot get the proper amount of fiber no matter what we eat and if I was interested in hearing what he does he would tell me. I was "all ear's"! He simply said that he drinks a warm glass of water with 2 tablespoons of Metamucil (I use the Kirkland product from Costco) each evening before bed. That is was the good Dr.'s scoop!
Well I've done that nearly every evening for over 8 years now and have not had 1 episode. He also told me that eating popcorn & strawberries was a old wifes tale? I love both and have always ate my share of both. I know this may not work for everyone, but over the years I've shared this story with many of my male friends and if you know men this is not a topic of interest and yet many have came back to me to say "this was the best thing that they ever did". Well, give it a try, it may work for you!

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@thankful

@musicflowers4u, @hopeful33250- I had a couple of years that I was having this terrible discomfort & pain to the point that I was doubled over in pain.
I went to the Dr. and the 1st time given some nasty drugs which helped in that case and then sporadic other times when I felt like I had the flu and again the lower belly pain and constipation. I think I took some Tylenol and used one of those rice bags that you put in the micro and would get comfort from the heat it put off. The 2nd time that it came back really bad and I was put on some other antibiotics and was sent to talk with a surgeon who deals with these kinds of cases. I had known someone else that had this surgery and swore by it, but I wanted to hear what this surgeon had to say. He explained why often surgery is the best option because if I were to have a rupture one could die from this. That got my attention! He also told me that we cannot get the proper amount of fiber no matter what we eat and if I was interested in hearing what he does he would tell me. I was "all ear's"! He simply said that he drinks a warm glass of water with 2 tablespoons of Metamucil (I use the Kirkland product from Costco) each evening before bed. That is was the good Dr.'s scoop!
Well I've done that nearly every evening for over 8 years now and have not had 1 episode. He also told me that eating popcorn & strawberries was a old wifes tale? I love both and have always ate my share of both. I know this may not work for everyone, but over the years I've shared this story with many of my male friends and if you know men this is not a topic of interest and yet many have came back to me to say "this was the best thing that they ever did". Well, give it a try, it may work for you!

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@thankful

What interesting advice. Thanks for sharing that.

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@thankful

@musicflowers4u, @hopeful33250- I had a couple of years that I was having this terrible discomfort & pain to the point that I was doubled over in pain.
I went to the Dr. and the 1st time given some nasty drugs which helped in that case and then sporadic other times when I felt like I had the flu and again the lower belly pain and constipation. I think I took some Tylenol and used one of those rice bags that you put in the micro and would get comfort from the heat it put off. The 2nd time that it came back really bad and I was put on some other antibiotics and was sent to talk with a surgeon who deals with these kinds of cases. I had known someone else that had this surgery and swore by it, but I wanted to hear what this surgeon had to say. He explained why often surgery is the best option because if I were to have a rupture one could die from this. That got my attention! He also told me that we cannot get the proper amount of fiber no matter what we eat and if I was interested in hearing what he does he would tell me. I was "all ear's"! He simply said that he drinks a warm glass of water with 2 tablespoons of Metamucil (I use the Kirkland product from Costco) each evening before bed. That is was the good Dr.'s scoop!
Well I've done that nearly every evening for over 8 years now and have not had 1 episode. He also told me that eating popcorn & strawberries was a old wifes tale? I love both and have always ate my share of both. I know this may not work for everyone, but over the years I've shared this story with many of my male friends and if you know men this is not a topic of interest and yet many have came back to me to say "this was the best thing that they ever did". Well, give it a try, it may work for you!

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I’ve gone through the same thing that thankful did and am taking Metamucil everyday. It has been magical for me

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@121314

I’ve gone through the same thing that thankful did and am taking Metamucil everyday. It has been magical for me

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@121314 and @thankful

Thanks for adding an endorsement to this plan. For some reason, I did not think that Metamucil could be added to warm/hot liquid so I've always relied on Miralax which can be added to hot liquid. I'm glad to know about this.

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My troubles started in April and May with attack that brought me down to the floor. Cold sweat then vomiting bile. I had eaten caramel popcorn a week earlier. I thought maybe I had eaten some lettuce since this was around the time of the romaine scare. A week later it happened again Same scene exceot the pain was excruciating! Trip to ER confirmed Diverticulitis, high fever with CT scan. Was admitted given IVanz IV Sent Home with Augmentin n Flagyl. Had to stop Augmentin due to severe diarrhea. Fever n pain. Changed to Amoxicillin n Flagyl for a total of a month. This was in June. July still not 100% but no episodes. I might also add I’m a compliant patient and did not eat seeds etc in Aug I had another episode and was put on Amoxicillin 875 3x day and Flagyl 500 3x. Flagyl makes me nauseous. My husband a retired urologist told me to leave off the last dose. One week after completing the two week regimen, I had severe diarrhea and went down again. My husband too me to the ER where I was admitted. Tests confirmed C.Diff. I was seen by a surgeon and hospitalist. Was given IVanz IV and Vancomycin. After 4 days I’m come taking oral Vancomycin. The surgeon gave me a script for Vibramycin which at the advice of my husband and gastroenterologist I did not take. I don’t want to have surgery and my last CT scan looked better than the first 3 months apart. This is a terrible disease tonlive with. We are retired n love to travel. Even booked a cruise to Cuba n not sure now if we should go! I have lost some strength I’m 62 and not where I was a few months ago. Thanks for reading and any advice is well received

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