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...

1,016 Members
2,123 Posts
0 Online
Gastrointestinal System
/ Diverticulitis Support Group

Looking for alternative/naturopathic methods

SophiainAZ
SophiainAZ

I just joined this group because I wanted some support and way to connect to others living with this horrible condition. I'm told by 3 different gastro's I inherited it from my Dad's side, both his sisters have it, one already had the surgery the other needs it. I was diagnosed at 29 and I'm 41 now. It has CHANGED MY LIFE. I didn't really change my lifestyle (eating, excersice, really taking care of myself) until about age 35. I just dealt with infections, took the antibiotics and went through hell each time. I had what I call the "Life altering year" when I had 6 infections in one year, 2 which I had to take double doses (24 days) on antiobiotics (Flagyl/Cipro) because I was becoming immune to the drugs. I was literally sick and on antibiotics for almost a total of 3 months that year. OMG


That was the wake up call. I went to a specialist called a "functional nutritionist." She's a dietician on steroids, LOL she went to school almost the same amount of time as a doctor, not a normal dietician. Her focus is "healing with food." After 2-hour long visits with her, and 15 lab tests she ordered (checking for water/calcium absorption, vitamins, wide range of gastro diseases, inflammation markers, organ function etc.,) she created a food plan of the way I should eat with this condition. I went from 185 pounds to 130 pounds just by eating what she said to eat in 6 months. I have severe arthritis + IBS +underactive thyroid too, so she factored in those conditions as well. My plan is 96 ounces of water per day, probiotics supplement, husk fiber (powder form) daily, any fermented foods, lots of fish, certain veggies and fruits. and the most kick in the pants I have to deal with is GLUTEN FREE DIET. Oh how I miss bread and pizza!!!!!! not the same taste when you get it gluten free but companies are getting better at making it taste good.


The past 4-5 years now on the new food plan I only get 2 infections per year. I am amazed at how much the dietician helped me reduce infections. I have a good Primary care doctor and she has me on Turmeric, fish oil supplements, evening primrose, and my thyroid pill. When I do get an infection though, it is like giving birth! The pain has definately escalated over the years and I usually am on liquid clear diet for the first 4-6 days and in bed crying. I now take Augmentin for 10 days as Cipro/Flagyl does nothing anymore. The attacks hit me so hard and so fast now, the pain can be unbearable. I am NOT a candidate for surgery because I have too many diverticuli scattered they said if they removed all of them I would be with a colostomy bag for the rest of my life.


Looking to hear from others and what you are taking antiobiotics and just daily self care wise. If anyone has heard of any new treatments, or have any home remedies that seem to help during an infection. I just started an infection today, oh joy first infection of 2020. I am starving but can only do liquids. This is the hell I live, when it comes I just can't see or hear anything else but PAIN and hunger in my lower stomach. It truly sucks.

sexlessisok
sexlessisok
I had a diverticulitis attack [first one] about 8.5 years ago. I have diverticulosis, but its well controlled now with nothing more than a very tiny soreness on my left side, that goes away in an hour or so.

If you read up on the subject, a common thread is no enemas. But, while enemas are BAD news when there is a flare-up and enemas can be bad otherwise, they can be good IF:

1. you are stable, no recent flare up, and
2. low pressure, e.g. bag at a low height, release at first sign of any cramp

So, part of my secret to good health is a weekly, low pressure, very easy going enema. Water with a hint of salt, dilute warm not hot coffee, valerian are my favourites.
MoonDancingNana
MoonDancingNana
I had to take care of the children we adopted with disabilities and having so much pain and an allergic reaction to the medication I had the surgery. There are 32 people on my Mom's side of the family with defective colons. One cousin had an emergency colostomy at the ate of 27, had four kids and she just turned 76. Doing well and she is glad of the surgery. Of the 32 people on Mom's side with colon issues they very. I am now 72 and had a sigmoid colectomy and the the transverse colon. For me having the two surgeries within 5 months literally saved my life. I eat what I what, inherited a rare RA from Dad and still manage to live a good and active life. What they did in my case and 11 of my cousins is only remove at the time of an attack the part of the colon that was infected. We have been studied and there is no rhyme or reason...........I have always had a high fiber, natural food growing up on a farm. My colon worked beautifully daily with no problems as have my relatives. It's interesting as to the why when we are so healthy with good bowel habits and just to have inherited crap colons! For me, surgery was the only option I was willing to work with, days of illness with the 3 babies was not an option. Good luck in finding what works for you.
koftheheart
koftheheart
I came across this on Facebook-called Pain Free Foods Support Group. They also have a website:www.diverticulitispainfreefoods.com They use a combined way of eating and you can’t eat certain foods with other. I ordered the book and started the plan. I also kept a food journal for sometime to see what is causing my flare-ups. Believe me its a different way of eating, but I get a lot of recipes off Pinterest ( I went vegan). I also take a Probiotics, Udo’s oil 3-6-9, Turmeric, Magnesium, K2, COQ10, a greens powder, slippery elm, before I eat at every meal. I feel great now, it took some time like I said to figure it out, but NO SURGERY for me. And those antibiotics, I tell the hospital I’m allergic to them (they are awful). I take oil of oregano, some people take GSE (grapefruit seed extract) during a flare-up. Get the book it tells you everything and the Facebook site is awesome and you can get some great support and answers. Its explained in the book, we are different then normal people and will have this disease for life, so try it what have you got to lose- Good luck!