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

It is very tiring when you have to control and think about everything you eat and then feel concerned about incidents, @maxine50.

Do you usually use a stool softener or do you use a laxative?

I’m one of the lucky ones, just dealing with this the last couple of years. I’ve been able to deal with it by switching to a low fibre soft diet and antibiotics a couple of times but I’m having trouble accepting this as a lifestyle for the rest of my days. I’m having a colonoscopy in a couple of weeks that I’ve been waiting for more than a year for. Hopefully it reveals something that will help more long term.

I have taken a laxative a few days ago, but last night I did not to see if two cups of coffee would work in the morning. So far, nothing. I'm so so tired. Just walking is a chore. I feel so exhausted. For breakfast, I ate a Canadian bagel with avocado and a small cup of hot cereal with raisins and so far, nothing is happening. I'll do my emails until something does which would be a miracle. Difficult to just walk with this exhaustion. Maybe, I should just go back to bed.

I have taken a laxative at bedtime, but did not last night and nothing happened this morning so far. I guess I should take one each day.

It's so confusing. Doctor said to eat lots of fiber. Internet said to eat high fiber. However, when you feel OK, should you eat a low fiber meal? I'm so confused, but I am trying to eat mainly high fiber plus chicken or fish for dinner. Then there are the days when I just eat pasta with pesto sauce because I'm just too tired to cook veggies and more.

It is difficult to find an eating plan that works. Keep trying @maxine50.

I’m just going to enjoy food I like and see what happens

I take 3 stool softeners everyday and eat a high fiber diet. I do know that chocolate ( my favorite food) is very binding and avoid as much as possible.
But everyday is hit or miss since my surgery.

@trishdep189

Chocolate (as well as other caffeine products can be a problem with diverticulitis). I can sometimes have it in small amounts, but not every day.

Have you found any other foods that are problematic?

My GI Specialist, post diverticulitis, recommends cooked vegies and fruit...Does not think that seeds and nuts are a problem. Also recommends chewing completely before swallowing and to avoid raw carrots and celery.