Just found the group which is weird I used to consult for Mayo and never thought to look here for DV help (retired 8 years ago). So my story is I was told I have a redundant colon 4 years ago at a colonoscopy. Then 2 years ago while Xmas shopping I got hit with the lower left pain so mhard I couldn’t get to my car. 30 minutes on a bench and I felt ok, then 9 months later it’s back and I’m in ER. CT scan and I’m told I have DV. I’ve had three flares since and I’m still trying to find the right balance of diet. It’s really messed up my life.
I had my first (and so far only) diverticulitis attack four years ago. On release from hospital I was given a sheet printed on a very old typewriter and duplicated so many times it was almost illegible, giving gave all those rules about nuts, popcorn, seeds etc. Over time, I came to believe that my attack was caused by intense stress, but that's another story. Later on, I read that this advice is no longer given, and here's the name of a medical textbook which mentions the new approach:
Rosen's Emergency Medicine - Concepts and Clinical Practice ...
Ron Walls, Robert Hockberger, Marianne Gausche-Hill · 2017
The formerly common advice—to avoid foods that may obstruct diverticula, such as nuts, small seeds, and popcorn—has been discredited.
Couldn't find the specific text, but maybe this will be helpful...
I had diverticulitis back in late 1990s. Ended up in bed for 10 days as abdomen was so painful I walked bent over to the bathroom. I had projectoral bleeding from rectum. Abdomen was swollen and hard. I was put on antibiotics. I attribute that horrible attack from eating two bags of popcorn. One of my GIs disputes that popcorn and nuts aggravate diverticulosis but I no longer eat popcorn or any kind of nuts as I have had problems every time I try to have even a little of those great treats. Nut butters are the only type of nuts I can eat. And buttered popcorn flavored jelly beans are the closest I get to that mouth-watering taste. I also have Miralax and Benefiber every day in my coffee without fail which keeps constipation in check.
Hope my story on this helps someone. I’ve had my intestinal problems - had bad case of C-Diff mid-1990s , and two years ago had bowel resection from neuroendocrine/Carcinoid Cancer.
The very 1st time I had diverticulitis “attack”, I had popcorn the day before. That Dr told me “popcorn is the grandfather of all things NOT to eat if you have diverticulitis “. Not to long ago, another GI said what you were told…that popcorn isn’t big enough to cause an attack ?!?
Hi I had segmoudectomy 3 weeks ago. DONT do it. I wish someone told me that. I will regret this the rest of my life. Check out other options I had mild diverticulitis!
Just found the group which is weird I used to consult for Mayo and never thought to look here for DV help (retired 8 years ago). So my story is I was told I have a redundant colon 4 years ago at a colonoscopy. Then 2 years ago while Xmas shopping I got hit with the lower left pain so mhard I couldn’t get to my car. 30 minutes on a bench and I felt ok, then 9 months later it’s back and I’m in ER. CT scan and I’m told I have DV. I’ve had three flares since and I’m still trying to find the right balance of diet. It’s really messed up my life.
Hello @s35flyer, I would like to join John @johnbishop, in welcoming you to Mayo Clinic Connect. I had to smile when you wrote, "It’s really messed up my life." Most of us with diverticulitis attacks feel the same way.
The lifestyle changes needed to deal with diverticulitis are necessary and need to be a permanent change in order to be effective in preventing further attacks. Most of us try to avoid major changes, if at all possible so I understand what you are saying.
Get as much information as you can on avoiding constipation which is the key. The right kinds of foods are important and they change as well. When you are in the middle of an attack you are best with using mostly liquids. As you begin to recover you can then add some soft foods like scrambled eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc. After that, you can begin to add fiber back into your diet as you tolerate it. Also, don't forget to drink lots of water.
Another suggestion is to look for trigger foods that might be upsetting to the sigmoid part of the colon. This is different for everyone. Some of my triggers are coffee (and I really do love coffee) carbonated beverages and there are others.
Keeping a food journal will help you to find these trigger foods that exacerbate your diverticulitis symptoms. By writing down everything you eat you can tell when you have a trigger food because you will feel the discomfort.
Have you discovered any answers yet to trigger foods?
Just found the group which is weird I used to consult for Mayo and never thought to look here for DV help (retired 8 years ago). So my story is I was told I have a redundant colon 4 years ago at a colonoscopy. Then 2 years ago while Xmas shopping I got hit with the lower left pain so mhard I couldn’t get to my car. 30 minutes on a bench and I felt ok, then 9 months later it’s back and I’m in ER. CT scan and I’m told I have DV. I’ve had three flares since and I’m still trying to find the right balance of diet. It’s really messed up my life.
Hello @s35flyer, Welcome to Connect, an online community where patients and caregivers share their experiences, find support and exchange information with others. Sorry to hear you are struggling to find the right balance to eliminate or reduce the diverticulitis flares. I have been struggling with constipation for awhile trying to find the right balance in my diet and lifestyle. @hopeful33250@geronimo1@rubbob1 and others may have some suggestions or information to share with you. Here is some information you may have already seen but just in case I thought I would share it.
Just found the group which is weird I used to consult for Mayo and never thought to look here for DV help (retired 8 years ago). So my story is I was told I have a redundant colon 4 years ago at a colonoscopy. Then 2 years ago while Xmas shopping I got hit with the lower left pain so mhard I couldn’t get to my car. 30 minutes on a bench and I felt ok, then 9 months later it’s back and I’m in ER. CT scan and I’m told I have DV. I’ve had three flares since and I’m still trying to find the right balance of diet. It’s really messed up my life.
I’ve been getting flare ups for about 6 years. It started in the bottom left hand corner but is now along the left side. I’ve had 3 colonoscopies and been in hospital a couple of times. The drs usually put me on antibiotics and pain relief and get me to have nil by mouth at first. Gradually introducing fluids and then soft foods.
Yes it is painful and usually lasts for 5 days
Yes, your flare-ups sound very typical. I suppose your doctors have told you to avoid constipation as this can cause a flare-up. Perhaps you have found foods that also will trigger a flare-up. Each of us is different as to what we do to avoid a flare-up or to ease a flare-up when it begins.
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Hello @s35flyer
As it has been a while since you last posted about diverticulitis I was just wondering how you are doing.
Have you found the right balance of diet, etc.? Will you post an update when it is convenient?
I had my first (and so far only) diverticulitis attack four years ago. On release from hospital I was given a sheet printed on a very old typewriter and duplicated so many times it was almost illegible, giving gave all those rules about nuts, popcorn, seeds etc. Over time, I came to believe that my attack was caused by intense stress, but that's another story. Later on, I read that this advice is no longer given, and here's the name of a medical textbook which mentions the new approach:
Rosen's Emergency Medicine - Concepts and Clinical Practice ...
Ron Walls, Robert Hockberger, Marianne Gausche-Hill · 2017
The formerly common advice—to avoid foods that may obstruct diverticula, such as nuts, small seeds, and popcorn—has been discredited.
Couldn't find the specific text, but maybe this will be helpful...
The very 1st time I had diverticulitis “attack”, I had popcorn the day before. That Dr told me “popcorn is the grandfather of all things NOT to eat if you have diverticulitis “. Not to long ago, another GI said what you were told…that popcorn isn’t big enough to cause an attack ?!?
Omg can you give me pore input please..thank you Joanne
Hi I had segmoudectomy 3 weeks ago. DONT do it. I wish someone told me that. I will regret this the rest of my life. Check out other options I had mild diverticulitis!
Hello @s35flyer, I would like to join John @johnbishop, in welcoming you to Mayo Clinic Connect. I had to smile when you wrote, "It’s really messed up my life." Most of us with diverticulitis attacks feel the same way.
The lifestyle changes needed to deal with diverticulitis are necessary and need to be a permanent change in order to be effective in preventing further attacks. Most of us try to avoid major changes, if at all possible so I understand what you are saying.
Get as much information as you can on avoiding constipation which is the key. The right kinds of foods are important and they change as well. When you are in the middle of an attack you are best with using mostly liquids. As you begin to recover you can then add some soft foods like scrambled eggs, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc. After that, you can begin to add fiber back into your diet as you tolerate it. Also, don't forget to drink lots of water.
Another suggestion is to look for trigger foods that might be upsetting to the sigmoid part of the colon. This is different for everyone. Some of my triggers are coffee (and I really do love coffee) carbonated beverages and there are others.
Keeping a food journal will help you to find these trigger foods that exacerbate your diverticulitis symptoms. By writing down everything you eat you can tell when you have a trigger food because you will feel the discomfort.
Have you discovered any answers yet to trigger foods?
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3 ReactionsHello @s35flyer, Welcome to Connect, an online community where patients and caregivers share their experiences, find support and exchange information with others. Sorry to hear you are struggling to find the right balance to eliminate or reduce the diverticulitis flares. I have been struggling with constipation for awhile trying to find the right balance in my diet and lifestyle. @hopeful33250 @geronimo1 @rubbob1 and others may have some suggestions or information to share with you. Here is some information you may have already seen but just in case I thought I would share it.
Everything you need to know about diverticulitis: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/152995
It sounds like you are already working on your diet, are you able to share a little more about what you have tried to avoid or add to your diet?
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2 ReactionsJust found the group which is weird I used to consult for Mayo and never thought to look here for DV help (retired 8 years ago). So my story is I was told I have a redundant colon 4 years ago at a colonoscopy. Then 2 years ago while Xmas shopping I got hit with the lower left pain so mhard I couldn’t get to my car. 30 minutes on a bench and I felt ok, then 9 months later it’s back and I’m in ER. CT scan and I’m told I have DV. I’ve had three flares since and I’m still trying to find the right balance of diet. It’s really messed up my life.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionGood morning, @geronimo1
Yes, your flare-ups sound very typical. I suppose your doctors have told you to avoid constipation as this can cause a flare-up. Perhaps you have found foods that also will trigger a flare-up. Each of us is different as to what we do to avoid a flare-up or to ease a flare-up when it begins.
Here is some info from the Mayo Clinic website, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diverticulitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20371758. As you can see, avoiding constipation by drinking lots of fluids and getting exercise is very helpful
Do you walk or have another exercise program in place, @geronimo1 ?
Hello @musicflowers4u
Yes, here is the link to the NETs/Carcinoid discussion groups.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/neuroendocrine-tumors-nets/?tab=discussions