MayoClinic.org
Recommended fiber amount for diverticulosis and tortuous colon
What are the recommended amounts of daily intake of both soluble and insoluble fiber for patients with tortuous colon? I realize this has to be somewhat individual, but wonder what a good starting point would be for both types.
Hello @virginia44 and welcome to Mayo Connect,
You have asked a very good question about fiber requirements for those of us who have diverticulitis.
Your doctor should, of course, be your guide in this matter of diet for diverticulitis. However, during an attack of diverticulitis, fiber should be eliminated until your symptoms are under control. Most of us, during an attack of diverticulitis, practice a liquid diet (or somewhat close to that) or very soft foods at least. For me, that includes liquid nutrition shakes, smoothies (without fiber), broth (bone broth is high in protein), etc. After the diverticulitis attack is over then I have soft foods for a few days, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, bananas, etc. I would like to invite @thull to this discussion as she has had lots of experience with diets for diverticulitis as well.
Here is some information from Mayo Clinic's website regarding diet for diverticulitis, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/diverticulitis-diet/art-20048499.
Here is some information regarding the correlation between diverticulitis and tortuous colon, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5635100/
As you are comfortable sharing more, how many bouts of diverticulitis have you had, @virginia44? How are you feeling now?
Teresa, thank you for the response. I have been told, however, that I do not have diverticulitis. I have diverticulosis in the sigmoid colon, and I have a tortuous colon. I believe there is a difference in approach to management of diverticulitis vs. diverticulosis.
@virginia44 After I gave my initial response, I found an article from the NIH website that you might find interesting, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5635100/.
My diverticulosis is also of the sigmoid colon (this is quite common). Yes, diverticulitis is when the diverticula become inflamed and infection and pain results.
What types of symptoms do you have?
I only do clear liquids during an episode, then once symptoms seem to be resolving, soft foods, scrambled eggs, pudding, mashed potatoes, bananas, applesauce. Boost Breeze is a clear supplement that is my go to. 250 calories and 9 grams of protein. I can't find it in stores, but available on Amazon. It is wwhat Mayo gave me when I was hospitalized. Now that all that intestine has been removed(Deloyers Procedure), not having the issues, which is great, although there are still some foods I need to avoid
Mostly painful cramping and diarrhea if I eat any of the things I used to be able to eat on a regular basis: lots of fruits, vegetables, spicey things. That is simply gone from my life. I can only eat a few very bland veggies, same with fruit. So I try to include fiber like barley, quinoa. Frustrating. Difficult to balance as from time to time I get it wrong and have unexpected and unpredictable bouts.
I'm going to ask my doctors about this surgery. Nothing was mentioned about this, but it sounds like a possible option for me. I am getting frustrated. My activities now have to be very limited. Can't travel like I used to, have to plan diet very carefully ahead of any group activities, meetings, family outings.
I am very curious about the surgery Thull has mentioned. Sounds like it was a great solution for her! Wondering if this might be a solution for me. Is there any info on the Mayo site about possible outcomes, issues to be concerned with, etc.?
Hello @virginia44
Let's check with @thull and see if she has any information about the surgery she had. She has referred to it as the Deloyers Procedure, however, I do not find information about it on Mayo's website. How are you feeling now, @thull?
Thank you, Teresa. Looking forward to learning more.
I am actually feeling great! Slowly gaining my weight back and eating normally. I still have certain foods that can bother me, but that is typical with IBS, which I have had for years. You can google Deloyers procedure and it gives a good description, and from what I have read, positive long term outcomes. There seems to be a faster turn around time as I had so much large intestine removed, but I plan my day and meals where I have bathroom access should the need arise. I think about where I was a year ago with all this…what a difference! It is nice to not be afraid to eat anymore!
@thull Was your surgery done at Mayo? If so, who was your doctor?
Yes, Mayo in Phoenix. Dr Rhee was the resident surgeon, but Dr Mishra is the ColoRectal surgeon who oversaw everything and was in the operating room. Very thankful to have a specialist .