Hi Rachel,
I was hoping people who did this would answer you, maybe they still will. I know of one person who says the gluten free diet has helped her tremendously.
I know 2 other people who have gone to SCD. that is suppose to cure intestines even better than Gluten free and the SCD is working for them.
One friend's Dr. told her to go by the Glycemic index and only eat low Glycemic foods.
I guess you can take your pick. Thanks for posting.

On January 5th, I completely changed my diet by eliminating (about 90% of the time) meat, potatoes, breads, dairy, Pepsi, fast foods, and processed foods (and switched to fruit & vegetable juices and raw foods). I noticed a major increase in my health and energy after about two weeks (plus a decrease in inflammation pain in various joints). I've continued this diet ever since then, but whenever I do eat something like a hamburg and fries or a pizza, I'll usually have diarrhea the next day that lasts for one to two days. So, I'm convinced that I definitely need to avoid any kind of foods that contain flour. I haven't completely determined which foods cause a problem for me, but I'm pretty sure it is breads (which probably means I need to avoid foods containing gluten).

By the way, the inspiration for my changing my diet to the more healthy fruits and vegetables (and juices) was after watching the popular documentary, Fat Sick & Nearly Dead, which is available on Netflix Instant Watch and also available for free online at http://www.jointhereboot.com .

Good luck to you!

Hi Rachel,
I cut out gluten and dairy about 2-1/2 years ago after my last diver attack. I did notice a difference and still continue with it. I never had a problem with diarhhea though and I think that was because I also take a probiotic capsule twice daily and that also helps with the bowel issues. My main problem is with inflammation pain so I figured cutting out wheat and dairy would certainly help that and couldn't hurt. I do feel better and have been able to find some great gluten free products and dairy alternatives. Soy doesn't agree with me so I usually use almond milk or coconut milk as substitutes for dairy. I am finding my biggest problem is with sugar and trying to cut it out completely. I know when I do, my bowel issues are dramatically reduced but I do have a sweet tooth so find that one the most difficult to stick with. I don't think you will regret giving up gluten and dairy so good luck and hope you continue to feel better.

Hi

I am new to the group, so I quick summary if the issues I have had.

Years of diarrhea for no apparent reason and sometimes with very short notice (doesn't make going out much fun), also times of pain and cramping that would leave me flat on my back.

Got to a point one day when I went to the doctor after have a weekend of this and fever. Doctor figured I had some kind of major infection and sent me straight out for a CT scan.

This showed severe diverticulitis and I was rushed to the emergency room and spent three days in hospital.

Specialist has told me anymore attacks and I will probably need bowel surgery

Still continued with having diarrhea, and start ed cutting out certain foods that might be triggering, a major one was chocolate. After reading about gluten free I thought I would try that to.... since then no issues at all has been about a month now (was having issues every other day before)

So if you do have diarrhea issues I strongly suggest you either try gluten free or go to your GP and get tested for it (wont work if you have already started a gluten free diet)

I can now go out with the confidence of not having to run for the bathroom! .

Congratulations, Mike,
I'm certainly happy you decided to go gluten free. Other people are saying the same thing as you. Everybody seems to have different triggers. There are more and more people saying stress is a big factor and there is no doubt stress caused my attacks but everyone is different.

Wow, this is good news. I've been eating simple fiber filled diet for years now, but still have the flares of diarrhea, and pain, etc. Have many bowel adheasinos, scar tissue.

I heard that Gluten free diet might be the answer.
Thank so much for giving me hope about it.

Anything I will try to get better.

One more thing I notice you cut out dairy. I became a vegetarian long ago, but do use yougurt daily, it makes my colon feel better.

But maybe the dairy I still eat is also the problem. Have hard time getting protein.

Newly dx'd with HTN and D-2 also, and I'm starting to freak out.

Had perforated diverticulitis and perotinitis, in 1991, had 13 surgeries so far. I afraid I die soon, if my insides dont get better.

I do need to get the dairy out.

Hi, Red here.

I am new to DS, and am very happy to find this group.

Also am considering another diet to add to my already boring diet. I am going to try and go gluten free, and see if any of my sigmoid issues improve.

I joined the celiacs group. I guess all you guys know how much food can hurt us, I try to be a vegetarian, but all the healthy stuff gives me diarrhea. Sorry, to be graphic.

I wa told that my colon would not make it to fifty, and I am almost there.

My colon has been doing much better, but I take Konsyl psyllium fiber a day one teaspoon, and drink lots of water, and have had huge improvement with bowel movement type.

Also, continue to make sure and stay away from trigger foods, like choclate, peanuts, cabbage, the list is long.

Hang in there. My colon requires full time attention. Hard work, but it can get better if you are vigilant in diet. Peace and hugs from Red.

HI Red,

You had peritonitis in 1991? You still have your sigmoid? Did you ever have to have a colostomy?

Thank you for this article, I have terrible diverticular disease, and have been tryi8ng to manage it for years. Several surgeries, but now, mostly the same symptoms you describedl\

Have just started gluten free diet, need to learn more about it, and I hope it works. I think it might just be the thing I need. GF diet. Thanks so mucy to all.

Hi Rachel. Thanks for your testimonial and your invitation to share. Your experience with lactose and gluten matches mine. After four rounds of diverticulitis, I quit lactose. (I now drink lactose free milk). The bloating stopped and I felt SOOO much better.. However, I still felt off with achy joints and had attacks of diverticulitis. I then quit eating gluten, and feel way better.

Because of all the sickness (in addition to diverticulitis, I also had complications with fibroids which led to surgery), I had become somewhat isolated and I was feeling tremendous stress in my life and had developed a perpetual sense of anxiety. My doctor prescribed Ativan for anxiety attacks and Celexa for depression. I took one Ativan, and within 20 minutes, it broke the cycle of anxiety. I've had two more in the past 4 months, and anxiety attacks are totally gone. The Celexa helps me sleep better and feel better. Within a week of taking Celexa, I began to sleep though the night. I feel "like my old self."

Sickness also went hand in hand with conflict with my husband. This was a vicious circle. The sicker I got, the worse our relationship became and the worse our relationship became, the sicker I got. This was the worst of all. I have read that facing divorce is one of the most painful, lonely and emotionally devastating events. It makes people crazy. This was true for me and my husband. Learning to love and to forgive myself and my husband reversed this trend. Now, I love my husband and he expresses his love to me every day. I feel so blessed to have him in my life. Love is a verb. Forgiveness is a gift.

Because of the sickness, I began eating more sugar which is in so many of the foods I ate to help with the diverticulitis (shakes). The sugar led to chronic fatigue and brain fog. I've now quit eating sugar and the brain fog is gone.

With the illness, I also stopped exercise. I've now added exercise back into my life. Adding vigorous yoga and daily walks has given me even more energy. I feel 20 years younger than I did 5 months ago.

I also quit having fun. There was no time and energy for fun. Now, I'm taking singing lessons and singing in a choir, and I LOVE IT. In two days, I'm going to Costa Rica with family and am so excited.

Wow, Cat. That's such a wonderful post. Thank you so much.

I was recently diagnosed with this dreadful condition after a few days of horrid side pains. I was put on antibiotics for the infection and I've been trying to watch what I eat. Strangely enough, I used to eat healthy and I got this, but none of the food I could eat will settle right, so I've been eating mostly vanilla oreos, water and chicken brother. Not a good mix but they don't seem to upset my stomach.

Seeing as how this is my first flare, I hope it my last but as they "wish in one hand..."