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.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

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.

Jump to this post

Such a good idea @maxine50 . I had kinda given up on seeing my Dr. more often. I will see if I can get in after my colonoscopy tomorrow. Thanks for the tip.

REPLY
Profile picture for maxine50 @maxine50

I used to eat broccoli, but no more since it really affects me. I was told to take 'A' metamucil, but I should try taking more. I'm actually trying to stay away from high fiber while I am having pain because I guess it means that something bad is happening if I have pain. As I do today! I should take a 1/2 pill tonight to make sure I can go to the bathroom tomorrow since I haven't in two days. Nor unusual for me! I only drank liquid for lunch today and ate fish, baked potato, and a slice of pound cake for dessert. I sure miss a real dessert. I did eat jello the past two nights for dessert. What else can I eat for dessert? Hmmmm, I wonder.

Jump to this post

Well, the half pill for a BM didn't work. Tonight I ate a peeled apple and a boiled potato with salt. Half hour later: Attack! The knife attack!! I now wonder if my colon doesn't like apple or potato. Time for another pain pill.

REPLY
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?

Jump to this post

I have suffered from IBS, diverticulitis and spastic colon for many years. I have tried zillion things. Many doctors and tons of meds. Do not have celiac or gluten allergy.
When it flares up…I take at least for a week…
Sour dough bread slices for breakfast, lunch rice,
yogurt(1/2 cup twice a day)), fresh pineapple ( 4/5 pieces) in the evening. Late afternoon warm ginger, lemon and 1/4 teaspoons honey tea. If stomach is very spasmodic and pain full I take one tablet of Gabapentin. And most of all breathing exercises twice a day. This seems to help! 🤷‍♀️☮️

REPLY
Profile picture for lamiller @lamiller

My doctors’ nurse has bouts of diverticulitis and she gave me great advice. When you feel an attack coming on cut out all roughage.
Stick to fluids, no dairy except a good probiotic yogurt. Be gentle on your tummy until the symptoms subside. Drink lots of water is the key and never allow yourself to get constipated. Mirolax if you do. I was eating all kinds of healthy roughage and taking Metamucil when I was having an attack. It made it worse. Once I started the kindness to my tummy routine I improved rapidly. Hope that helps.

Jump to this post

This is what I do too. If I feel it coming on I do broth for a couple of days until it passes. Has anyone ever had dark purplish blood in their stools and if so is that part of the diverticulitis symptoms?

REPLY
Profile picture for fbeets @fbeets

This is what I do too. If I feel it coming on I do broth for a couple of days until it passes. Has anyone ever had dark purplish blood in their stools and if so is that part of the diverticulitis symptoms?

Jump to this post

From what I have read and been told, blood in stool is a very bad sign. There should not be blood ever. Better ask the doctor to check you out.

REPLY
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?

Jump to this post

I am top of it and having it checked out. Thanks for your reply.

REPLY
Profile picture for maxine50 @maxine50

Well, the half pill for a BM didn't work. Tonight I ate a peeled apple and a boiled potato with salt. Half hour later: Attack! The knife attack!! I now wonder if my colon doesn't like apple or potato. Time for another pain pill.

Jump to this post

I can't say exactly what caused the pain you experienced, @maxine50, but the apple would have done it for me. Lots of fiber which would trigger symptoms. Like I said, that is just what I would have experienced.

When you say you took "half a pill" what kind of pill was it? Have you ever tried a liquid laxative product like Milk of Magnesia or liquid Dulcolax. Liquid laxative products work better for me, but you it might be good to check with your doctor first as you don't want to exacerbate the pain.

REPLY
Profile picture for manisham @manisham

I have suffered from IBS, diverticulitis and spastic colon for many years. I have tried zillion things. Many doctors and tons of meds. Do not have celiac or gluten allergy.
When it flares up…I take at least for a week…
Sour dough bread slices for breakfast, lunch rice,
yogurt(1/2 cup twice a day)), fresh pineapple ( 4/5 pieces) in the evening. Late afternoon warm ginger, lemon and 1/4 teaspoons honey tea. If stomach is very spasmodic and pain full I take one tablet of Gabapentin. And most of all breathing exercises twice a day. This seems to help! 🤷‍♀️☮️

Jump to this post

Gabapentin (Neurontin, Gralise, Horizant) is a medicine used to treat partial seizures, nerve pain from shingles and restless leg syndrome. It works on the chemical messengers in your brain and nerves. Gabapentin is from a group of medicines called anticonvulsants.
Gabapentin can cause life-threatening breathing problems, especially if you already have a breathing disorder or if you use other medicines that can make you drowsy or slow your breathing. Seek emergency medical attention if you have very slow breathing.

Some people have thoughts about suicide or behavior changes while taking gabapentin. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how gabapentin will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

Do not stop using gabapentin suddenly, even if you feel fine.

I don't think this drug is for me. But, thanks for mentioning it. I am now going to put all fruits or veggies in my blender and make food smoothies to eat. I think with no real food, it won't get stuck in me and case me severe pain. I'll find out.

REPLY
Profile picture for fbeets @fbeets

This is what I do too. If I feel it coming on I do broth for a couple of days until it passes. Has anyone ever had dark purplish blood in their stools and if so is that part of the diverticulitis symptoms?

Jump to this post

Dark purplish blood can be indicative of bleeding from the small intestine or stomach area. Blood originating in the colon is almost always bright red blood (fresh blood color) if the purplish blood is there, I urge you to see your Doctor ASAP.

REPLY
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?

Jump to this post

My girlfriend told me to cook fruits, vegetable, eggs, even prunes and let them cool before putting them in a blender to make it into soup which should not stick to the colon. She gave me beet liquid she made. It was good. She says, "That's a Liquid Diet". I'm starting it today. So much work!! I hope it really works.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.