Diverticulitis prevention

Hello @marionclark and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am glad that you have found this discussion group helpful to you.

I'm wondering if you would like to share more about your history of diverticulitis or what you have found helpful in dealing with the symptoms?

Hi Teresa,
It was lovely to receive your message, thank you.
I’m struggling to manage at present.
Recently, I had a CT scan that revealed a 6x4 cm abscess and fistula that had formed between the outside of my rectum but within the ‘envelope’ (my surgeon’s word) that contains the bowel. I gather this is unusual. It was drained and I had intensive treatment for three weeks with three types of antibiotics.
The CT scan also revealed that I have severe diverticulitis. Three years prior to that my diverticulitis was considered to be mild.
The surgeon initally considered a coloectomy but decided that I may not have a recurrence of the abscess.
Management is now the central issue. I have a half dose of colonlytely each evening and take 4 colyxol tablets with senna at the same time.
My diet is plain - all home cooked.
I’m 84 years old.
Thank you again for writing - your kindness touches me.
Kindest regards,
Marion.

@marionclark

I appreciate you sharing your journey with diverticulitis. It certainly has been a challenging time for you. I admire your ability to adjust your diet and lifestyle to accommodate these changes.

My diverticulitis has changed over the years as well. At one time, it was just in the sigmoid colon but now throughout the entire colon. A low-residue diet has worked well for me along with stool softeners. It is good to find ways to adapt to these physical changes!

I hope that this continues to heal, and you begin to feel better. Will you post again with updates?

About 3 months ago, after a colonoscopy, I was told I had diverticulosis and a fistula but he didn't say where the fistula was or what it was. I had to research the Internet to find out what diverticulosis and a fistula was. Somedays, I am just fine, but then, wham bam here I am again.
I was feeling fine for the past four days and tonight I ate ice cream for dessert and wham bam. Could ice cream be bad for diverticulosis?

I can’t help you with the ice cream question but I also have a fistula. I agree that it’s hard to understand what the short and long-term effects of this is.
There seems to be many different views about diet. I’m new to this and keen to learn as much as I can.

Can you share what you mean by low residue diet please. What works for you?

I still don't know much about a fistula. Is it life threatening? Can it grow? What can it do? I don't know and trying to get info, but where? All this is new to me and most worrisome. I do love ice cream though!

Hi @maxine50

It is hard to say what foods are "triggers" for diverticulitis. If it happens again after eating ice cream, you might want to avoid it for a while. You might also look at other foods you ate and/or other activities that might have contributed to the symptoms.

I've found that some foods, as well as being very active or stressed create a combination that causes increased symptoms. It's important to be a good "detective" in trying to figure it all out.

Sure, a low residue diet is basically a low fiber diet. Here is some information about a low fiber diet from Mayo Clinic's website:

--Low Fiber Diet
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/low-fiber-diet/art-20048511
Since raw fruits and veggies are generally high fiber, I often make soups (and use an immersible blender to puree them) or make smoothies. That way, I get the nutrients, but without the fiber.

Each person is different, so what works for me, might not necessarily work for you. However, I always feel like a change in eating habits is generally not very costly and is worth trying for a month or so to see if it helps.

Yes, have to play detective all the time. Stress is a problem right now. Anything can be a problem.