Hello @s35flyer, Welcome to Connect, an online community where patients and caregivers share their experiences, find support and exchange information with others. Sorry to hear you are struggling to find the right balance to eliminate or reduce the diverticulitis flares. I have been struggling with constipation for awhile trying to find the right balance in my diet and lifestyle. @hopeful33250 @geronimo1 @rubbob1 and others may have some suggestions or information to share with you. Here is some information you may have already seen but just in case I thought I would share it.

Everything you need to know about diverticulitis: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/152995

It sounds like you are already working on your diet, are you able to share a little more about what you have tried to avoid or add to your diet?

Hello @s35flyer, I would like to join John @johnbishop, in welcoming you to Mayo Clinic Connect. I had to smile when you wrote, "It’s really messed up my life." Most of us with diverticulitis attacks feel the same way.

The lifestyle changes needed to deal with diverticulitis are necessary and need to be a permanent change in order to be effective in preventing further attacks. Most of us try to avoid major changes, if at all possible so I understand what you are saying.

Get as much information as you can on avoiding constipation which is the key. The right kinds of foods are important and they change as well. When you are in the middle of an attack you are best with using mostly liquids. As you begin to recover you can then add some soft foods like scrambled eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc. After that, you can begin to add fiber back into your diet as you tolerate it. Also, don't forget to drink lots of water.

Another suggestion is to look for trigger foods that might be upsetting to the sigmoid part of the colon. This is different for everyone. Some of my triggers are coffee (and I really do love coffee) carbonated beverages and there are others.

Keeping a food journal will help you to find these trigger foods that exacerbate your diverticulitis symptoms. By writing down everything you eat you can tell when you have a trigger food because you will feel the discomfort.

Have you discovered any answers yet to trigger foods?

Hello @s35flyer

As it has been a while since you last posted about diverticulitis I was just wondering how you are doing.

Have you found the right balance of diet, etc.? Will you post an update when it is convenient?