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 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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That's great, @lucy155! I appreciate the update.
Wow, 18 holes, was quite a workout (I won't ask about your score), but I'm really glad that you had a good time and were not exhausted by the day.

What's next on your agenda of things to do?

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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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I always think that probiotics should be considered for anything involving the gut.

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Profile picture for Teresa, Volunteer Mentor @hopeful33250

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

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OK, I at cooked carrots and chicken for dinner. Next day I had severe pain. I had vanilla ice cream for desert the next night. Severe pain next day. Was it the carrots or the ice cream which is dairy? I can't figure it out. So, tonight I ate baked potato and chicken. Pain is starting again. I think I should only drink Electrolit for dinner.

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Profile picture for maxine50 @maxine50

OK, I at cooked carrots and chicken for dinner. Next day I had severe pain. I had vanilla ice cream for desert the next night. Severe pain next day. Was it the carrots or the ice cream which is dairy? I can't figure it out. So, tonight I ate baked potato and chicken. Pain is starting again. I think I should only drink Electrolit for dinner.

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@maxine50

I can see you are you are trying, keep working at it. How is your portion size? Are you eating small meals several times a day or larger meals? Sometimes, small portions can make a difference.

Have you considered asking your doctor for a referral to a registered dietician?

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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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@maxine50 Wow, it's so difficult for you to find a healing menu. Your doctor should be on top of getting you comfortable and on the road to healing, whether you need antibiotics or more. Don't let up on seeing him. Make appointments once a month for three months in advance and keep seeing him/her until you have a plan. I did this with my new urogynocologist for my chronic UTI's... 10 in 12 months. She got to know me well and became vested in getting to the bottom of the problem. Get your doctor working or CHANGE doctors, making three appts up front.

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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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A couple of tablespoons of unflavored non-fat Greek yogurt with live culture before every meal has helped me in the past.

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Profile picture for lucy155 @lucy155

@maxine50 Wow, it's so difficult for you to find a healing menu. Your doctor should be on top of getting you comfortable and on the road to healing, whether you need antibiotics or more. Don't let up on seeing him. Make appointments once a month for three months in advance and keep seeing him/her until you have a plan. I did this with my new urogynocologist for my chronic UTI's... 10 in 12 months. She got to know me well and became vested in getting to the bottom of the problem. Get your doctor working or CHANGE doctors, making three appts up front.

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I did it Lucy: I googled what not to eat and found out that the reason I am in such severe pain is because I'm eating all the wrong foods. No doctor told me anything about what to not eat. Today, is the last day I will eat those foods, but my fridge is full of bad food, or delicious food. I think my neighbor will be happy to get all of it. Also, I have an appointment with a new doctor, a female, next week. Hoping for good things. Will ask lots of questions.

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Profile picture for maxine50 @maxine50

I did it Lucy: I googled what not to eat and found out that the reason I am in such severe pain is because I'm eating all the wrong foods. No doctor told me anything about what to not eat. Today, is the last day I will eat those foods, but my fridge is full of bad food, or delicious food. I think my neighbor will be happy to get all of it. Also, I have an appointment with a new doctor, a female, next week. Hoping for good things. Will ask lots of questions.

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Way to go.... you're taking control back! We need to be our own advocates. Best wishes. Let me know how the new doctor goes.

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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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Today, I'm on a liquid diet only and I am now sooooooo hungry. Don't know what I can, or should eat.

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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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I really like Activa yogurt shots. They are tasty, very small probiotic smoothie drinks with protein that can curb your appetite. I buy a case at BJ's and grab one when hungry, and when I was doing soft food diet at home. Not all brands taste good. I just tossed a dozen (ouch!) I didn't like at all. This liquid soft diet is going to work, Maxine!! You can do it. Get through the first three days. You got this! It's not forever. You're giving your digestive system a break it needs. Liquid, then soft... low fiber. Pudding, yogurt, clear broth soups, mashed potatoes, jello, pasta with a bit of butter, crackers (saltines in your broth soup), scramble eggs, pancakes, waffles. Small meals, yogurt shots in between. Check with a dietitian. This is what I did after the perforation.

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