Diverticulitis Support Group
Diverticulitis is a common disease of the bowel, in particular the large intestine. Diverticulitis develops from diverticulosis, which involves the formation of pouches on the outside of the colon. Diverticulitis results if one of these diverticula becomes inflamed. Diverticulitis most often affects middle-aged and elderly persons, though it can strike younger patients as...
Hello All!
I am a 50 yr old female and had my first bout of diverticulitis in 2016. It was diagnosed in the ER with CT Scan/Contrast. It was uncomplicated/mild and I was sent hope with the dreaded twins Cipro and Flagyl. I got better quickly and didn't think too much about it once I felt good again. Fast forward to today and I am on my (possibly) third bout of this stuff. I will say, I am not in pain. I feel a crampy, colicky feeling in my lower left abdomen and seem to get constipated when I feel it coming on. Overall, my experiences have been on the milder side, but still awful. The antibiotics are worse than the diver :(
At my doctor's suggestion, I met with a colo-rectal surgeon here in So Cal who was wonderful, patient and kind. He calmly listened to my and answered my questions. He was adamant that I am not a surgical candidate at this time. He said that in the past, they would reccomend elective surgery after a couple of diverticulitis attacks, even if they were uncomplicated....but that was outdated thinking. He indicated that they now make that determination on a case-by-case basis, based on the individual patients health, Quality of Life, etc.
I was happy to leave the office and be on my way. He also told me that once you have symptomatic diverticular disease, that you need to supplement with fiber. He told me to ingest 20g of fiber a day from supplements and between 10-20mg per day from food. I have been following that regimen religiously and feeling really good overall. The past couple of days, I have started to notice that crampy, colicky feeling again and I immediately went on a clear liquid diet. My dr prescribed the antibitoics again, but told me to try the clear liquid diet for a couple of days to see if my symptoms subside. He told me that in mild cases, antibiotics aren't always needed...also newer thinking in the treatment of this awful condition. Of course, if things don't improve or worsen, take the antibiotics, etc. etc.
I was curious if anyone has had much long-term success with treating the milder form of this with diet, lifestyle changes? That would be my desire, if it is possible. OBVIOUSLY. Nobody likes surgery.
One more thing I wanted to mention...the colo rectal surgeon I met with told me that diverticulitis tends to run a much more benign course than originally thought. He said it was likely I would have another flare up (Since I have had 3), but generally they tend to follow the same course. He also indicated that MOST of the time (not always), the first attack tends to be the most severe, which is why they changed the guidelines for elective surgery as well. I guess at a certain point it really becomes more of a quality of life issue for a lot of people.
Thank you in advance for any input!
All the Best,
Kris
Very important to avoid processed meats as well.
Just my two cents.
The first thing I want to warn you about is people who are trying to sell you a book to help you-----they just want to sell you a book.
It took me 15 years to realize that the actual trigger to a flare up for me, is STRESS, no matter what i am eating. Everybody is different though and you have to learn to listen to your body.
A forum saved my life many years ago, as my Dr. Didn't even know you should switch to a clear liquid diet as soon as you get a twinge. If I did that the pain would get better and in a couple of days be gone. There were only a few times I ever took the pills. I guess that was mainly in the beginning when i didn't have a clue about Diver, and no Dr that knew anything either.
If going to clear liquids doesn't stop the pain-----please see a Dr as Diverticulitis can be very dangerous if not treated.
Anything that you really need to know, you can find on the Mayo Clinic web site.
The very best of luck!!!!
This diet comes from the Mayo Clinic
A diverticulitis diet gives your digestive tract a chance to rest while your doctor treats your diverticulitis.
By limiting yourself to clear liquids and slowly adding low-fiber foods to your diet, your digestive tract has time to heal.
Your doctor may recommend that you stick to a clear liquid diet for two or three days, or until the pain goes away.
Foods and beverages allowed on a clear liquid diet include: Broth, Clear soda, Fruit juices without pulp, Ice chips, Ice pops without bits of fruit or fruit pulp, Plain gelatin, Plain water, Tea or coffee without cream.
Diverticulitis diet once signs and symptoms begin to resolve
As you start feeling better, your doctor will recommend that you SLOWLY introduce low-fiber foods. If you experience pain or bloating after adding any food, please go back to liquids till the pain goes away.
Low-fiber foods include: Canned fruits, Desserts without seeds or nuts, Eggs, Enriched white bread, Fruit juice with little or no pulp, Low-fiber cereals, Milk, Yogurt or cheese without seeds or nuts, Smooth peanut butter, Tender meat, poultry and fish,White rice or plain pasta, noodles or macaroni, Well-cooked vegetables without seeds or skins.
You may need this low fiber diet for 2-4 weeks or more before VERY slowly starting back on the fiber foods, such as raw vegetables, especially broccoli and kale.
Too much food can also cause a good amount of pain. Eat small meals for awhile,
about the size of half of a sandwich.
Everybody is different. You have got to learn how to listen to what your body is telling you. When I feel the first hint of a pain, I immediately go to a clear liquid diet. I use that for a few days then start on the low fiber foods. Sometimes that lasts 2 weeks, sometimes 4 weeks. If at any time i feel a twinge, I go back to the liquid diet. IF you can stop the attack by going to a liquid diet, you can try not using the pills. HOWEVER, Diverticulitis can be dangerous if it goes untreated. It can cause death so if the pain ever gets a little worse after going on the liquid diet, take the pills, then stay on the liquid diet till the pain goes away before going to low fiber foods for 2-4 weeks.
We got to talk to hundreds of people on the forum, and before a nasty troll chased all the really knowledgeable people away, they later closed. we all learned so much. quite a few people came to realize that stress was at least in part blame for their attacks. No it can't be caused by something you just ate last night. It needs more time to get started.
Like you, my attacks have been mild in nature and I have come to really pay attention to what I eat in general. I have done really well with no red meat/pork or processed foods, and the daily fiber supplements. I will continue to treat any future flare-ups with the clear liquid diet as you suggested and hopefully avoid the antibiotics. They are pretty rough....worse than the actual diverticulitis for me. However, if need be, I would gladly take them to avoid any sort of emergency situation. I have also learned most of what I know from forums and the Mayo Clinic website. The first time I had a diver attack the doctor told me to drink fruit smoothies. Wow! I am glad I didn't listen to him. All the Best!
I try to eat lots of fresh veggies, and really not interest in processed food, but I do eat anything. My grandparents on my mothers side both had Diverticulitis, and I have read they think it can be inherited, so that would be probably where mine came from.