Living with diverticulitis

Posted by marshelly1 @marshelly1, Dec 17, 2020

How do I keep this from coming back? My Dr. Has no solutions, and I wish I could be more aware when it will flare up.

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Profile picture for trishdep189 @trishdep189

Onions are the worst for me!!!

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@trishdep189

We all have different "trigger foods" that exacerbate our symptoms. When onions are cooked and then pureed (with the immersible blender) they are OK for me. There is no doubt, however, that everyone is different.

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Profile picture for lucy155 @lucy155

The more serious your episode of diverticulitis, the less fiber you should eat. No peas (skin), no blueberries (skin), etc, carrots very well cooked are good. When I was awaiting my colon resection because of a perforated colon, caused by diverticulitis, I would make an instant pot chicken soup with carrots and chicken thighs. I could eat the soft carrots and the juicy, but cooked chicken. I would add noodles to the broth another night and just have soup. When feeling better, I'd take the soup, make a gravy with it and have an open-faced hot chicken sandwich smothered in soup gravy with Bob Evans ready made mashed potatoes... all low fiber, several different meals for the week. I tried to keep portions smaller and eat more frequently.

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My doctor recommends eating 5-6 small meals a day. Easier to digest smaller portions.

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Profile picture for trishdep189 @trishdep189

My doctor recommends eating 5-6 small meals a day. Easier to digest smaller portions.

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In the morning, I have a cup of mixed caffeine and decafe coffee so I can take all my vitamins with a slice of pound cake, a banana and an English muffin with avocado toasted lightly. Then I try not to eat anything during the day. But, i I get real hungry, I will eat an apple with some Oaxaca cheese. Maybe some blueberries with yogurt. It holds me over until I make some dinner. I'm afraid to eat too much. Never know what my stomach will do each day. Seems to work so far. But, never know when I will be surprised.

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Profile picture for maxine50 @maxine50

In the morning, I have a cup of mixed caffeine and decafe coffee so I can take all my vitamins with a slice of pound cake, a banana and an English muffin with avocado toasted lightly. Then I try not to eat anything during the day. But, i I get real hungry, I will eat an apple with some Oaxaca cheese. Maybe some blueberries with yogurt. It holds me over until I make some dinner. I'm afraid to eat too much. Never know what my stomach will do each day. Seems to work so far. But, never know when I will be surprised.

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Some direction from a registered dietician may help you, @maxine50.

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Profile picture for trishdep189 @trishdep189

My doctor recommends eating 5-6 small meals a day. Easier to digest smaller portions.

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Yes, small meals several times a day is a great idea, @trishdep189!

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Profile picture for ayersg @ayersg

Is there a way to prevent diverticulitis from recurring? Is there a change in diet that can help heal the colon issue that causes it?

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Have to find one first. But thanks.

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Profile picture for maxine50 @maxine50

Have to find one first. But thanks.

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@maxine50

Your gastrointestinal doctor should know of one. Try that first.

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Profile picture for Teresa, Volunteer Mentor @hopeful33250

Some direction from a registered dietician may help you, @maxine50.

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Wish all this information as to what diet to follow was on the Internet someplace.
A neighbor just told me she had it, but the antibiotics cured her. She doesn't remember which one since it was many many years ago. Hmmmm?? Something that should be looked into maybe.

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Profile picture for Teresa, Volunteer Mentor @hopeful33250

I'm certainly wishing you luck, @lucy155 !

You are a determined 70 year-old and I'm so happy for you. I like your balanced approach to recovery from both the hip replacement as well as the abdominal surgery.

Your step-by-step approach to recovery, both with eating and exercise, would benefit anyone who is recovering from surgery.

Will you let me know how the golfing goes on Saturday? (I don't need the score, just a report on how it felt to be back on the course!)

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Four months from resection surgery and seven months from hip replacement, my first round of 18 holes felt wonderful! I had absolutely no problem with energy level (score, well that's another story!). I was thrilled with the day, grateful for my excellent medical team, hip, colon, and bladder doctors.

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Profile picture for lucy155 @lucy155

Four months from resection surgery and seven months from hip replacement, my first round of 18 holes felt wonderful! I had absolutely no problem with energy level (score, well that's another story!). I was thrilled with the day, grateful for my excellent medical team, hip, colon, and bladder doctors.

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Wow! good news. Stay well.

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