Diverticulitis Support Group

Hi if the attack is bad--fever, high white count, confirmed by CT scan, docs usually put people in hospital with IV Levequin or Cipro and Flagyl. After a few days they usually send you home with the same antibiotics orally. And on the clear diet until pain is better, usually 3-4 days. Then a soft and low fiber diet for a week or so then gradually increase fiber. Usually docs will recomend Benefiber etc several times a day and a probiotic like Align and real youghart. My doc said no popcorn seedds nuts etc was ok after recovery. The antibiotics etc is what is used after every attack as far as I know. If not bad attack they are used at home. Most people have only one attack.And life goes on and is great. I had 3-4 and surgery. Having soft bowel movements is impt. Some docs recommend Colace. Amanda

hi there - i think it's really important to see a good gastroenterologist so that you are not relying on the er for information an help (although if you have an attack, you will probably need to go there again). every time you have an attack that includes a fever and pain you will almost certainly need the antibiotics. do read all of 4 strikes posts as he has done a lot of research and has good advice. if you feel as if you're having the beginnings of a flare up, STOP eating and only drink a little. you really want to give your intestines a complete rest. drinking ensure

will give you nutrition and not tax your intestines. i opted for the surgery (one attack in 2001, then 3 last year) and it went very well and i am completely back to normal eating anything i want. most docs say that even with divertic you can eat anything but popcorn was the one thing i avoided. no matter what i didn't or did eat, the attacks came but we are all different. keep reading here and you will learn so much about this disease. i hope you feel better soon and find the right medical help.
sally

Hi,

To answer your questions:

Every time I have a flare up, do I have to take antibiotics? Yes

- Every time I have a flare up, do I have to go on a clear liquid diet? Yes, eating will only intensify the pain and prolong the attack. You will learn not to want to eat. I promise!!!

- Will I ever feel like my old self again? Yes!!! In between attacks, I felt just fine.

The one thing I avoided like the plaque was almonds. Twice after eating almonds I was hospitalized, so I never ate almonds again. Popcorn I could get away with but very rarely.

I had annual attacks for 10 years and this year I finally had my sigmoid colon removed surgically after 3 attacks in 6 weeks.

Having it so long, I began to recognize my body going into attack mode long before I had to be hostialized. For example, for me, my food would not digest. Right then and there, I would stop eating, and start taking antibiotics and probotics. I am very fortunate because my father is an MD and would keep me supplied with antibiotics. Obviously most people do not have that option and have to go to a doctor. My stopping my attacks at the very early stage, I often did not need to be hosptialized on IV antibiotics. I would say that of 14 attacks, I was hospitiazed 5 times and the rest could handle on my own.

Good luck, everything is scary at the beginning, but you will learn to manage!!!