I'm kind of in the same boat, 2nd attack, trying to figure out what caused it. I know stress is a factor for me and I've had a lot lately. Also I had started on adding fiber & ate sweet potatoes, I'm thinking maybe that was too much fiber. I ate a sandwich with whole wheat bread & it bloated me up so bad. I think I'm going to stick with low fiber for a long time.

There are books out there on food combining. Very interesting too. It says most of the time we don't eat foods in the correct order and certain combinations can give you indigestion at the very least. Also we need to eat smaller meals and maybe more often. They're worth looking into. I have read them and they make sense but it kind of takes an adjustment to change eating habits.

You didn't do anything wrong! Don't feel bad! There's no predictable pattern to all of this.

Drink water. Take probiotics. Take omega 3's. Stay away from red meat and popcorn. Consider going to your GP and get an anti anxiety med.

Stress absolutely contributed to my attack.

I so agree about the stress factor, i broke my shoulder on 12 may and was due to fly to the UK for my sons wedding, I had not healed properly am still recovering from that and then flew back here with my son and his wife for their honeymoon. I looked after the children which I loved but broken shoulder did not help....I had been off work so long I was serioulsy stressing plus I was on Oxcodone for the pain which gave me constipation and hey ho I end up with Diverticulitis. I think the low fiber is a very good idea, it does not challenge your bowels easier to digest, a no brainer really. I went and bought some align today and will take one every day. You know I would not wish this awful thing on anyone but its good not feel alone ot there so thank you for taking the time to reply to me, it makes me feel so much better to get your messages.

I have been taking acidophilus every day after my doctor recommended it. It's 2 billion or something. Is that what you mean by probiotics? Are there other digestive enzymes that would be better? Sometimes I think they give me gas though.

I also was eating live active culture plain yogurt every day.

Some people say no dairy, I'm not sure about that one yet. For the next few days it's crackers & liquids for me.

After that I am sticking with mashed potatoes, scrambled egg, white bread, pudding (maybe), yogurt, smooth applesauce, and maybe some soft pasta! Worked for me! Then I had to eat that stupid sweet potato! (which I LOVE & will miss greatly.)

Oh -- and yes, eating smaller portions!!! I did that at first, then I was just so doggone hungry I found myself eating too much at one time! I'm sure that had a lot to do with it. I need to control myself after this attack!!

I've lost 15 lbs in 6 weeks! Wooo hooo! (I needed it & could stand to lose another 15.)

I decided today after feeling sick trying the meds that I am going to take half doses. I don't think I'm infected! Just irritated! So why do I need frickin nasty antibiotics??? I am just not going there with the nausea & vomiting & diahreah again from the stupid pills and then I got so dehydrated I was almost in kidney failure! Not worth it! If I have to, I'll go to E.R. & get the i.v. antibiotics. I think I'm gonna be okay though with liquids and a few crackers for a few days.

How are you today Tessy?

Yes thanks am feeling a bit better today no pain which is a bonus am sorry the pills are making you so ill try eating a cracker with them but chewing it well that may ward off the sickness. maybe you can reintroduce sweet potato after a while when you are completely better. I am seeing my consultant toorrow and will have lots of questions for him anything you need me to check for you while I am at it? Hope your day gets better

Glad you are feeling better. If you read this before you go, ask him why we have to take antibiotics immediately when we don't have an infection, we just have a slight inflammation & why we can't just stop eating & do the liquids for a few days first to see if it calms down.

Thank you, I don't have a doctor (yet) because I don't have insurance.

Hey sarah

Sorry I missed your e mail but am seeing him again on Thursday when I will ask your question. I am back on anti biotics for one week and have another CT scan scheduled for Thursday, he isnt happy about my weight loss though to be fair I am not eating and I have severe upper abdominal pain which lasts seconds when it comes. I am also back on rice, white bread and crackers - yours is a very good question I reckon he will say that without a CT scan they cant be sure re infection but will let you know. I hope your day is good.

Thanks Tessy. Hope the food goes down good with you. I've just been reading about all the horrible side effects of these drugs. Almost worse than the condition. I posted a link about it.

Yeah I had a catscan in the hospital with my 1st bout, blood test too & white cell count was normal, also no fever & that is where I'm at now so I think I'm just inflamed & to be honest I think these meds are making me worse.

I have such horrible distention and pain in upper abdomen too & I'm reading that flagyl can cause this! I'm trying to get rid of the pain, not make it worse!

I'm going to stop these meds & whatever happens happens. I think they are poison & are just making the drug companies RICH! Flagyl should be taken off the market!

I am supposed to start them again today dont know wht to do now, I have no pain and pain in upper stomach has gone maybe I wont start them right away and see how I feel...........

Why do you have to start them again? Glad you are feeling better. Hope I will soon. I'm on my 3rd day of not eating anything but crackers (although I did take a few bites of yogurt) and not getting better but not getting worse either.

Saw the consultant today and thats what he said even though i am in no pain right now. So tonight had white fish and rice and chewing everything really well, hopefully after tomorrow you can try to introduce stuff like rice and fish.

I try to stick to what my first doctor told me ten years ago. No seeds, skins, sticks, or shells. I take stool softeners twice a day. If I have a flair up, I take two laxatives every six hours until results.