Soft foods and liquids. Make sure you don't have an infection as well. How did the doc figure out what you have?

Thanks.

So the low residue diet won't inhibit healing? Good!

What about activity? Should I be laying around or can I perform physical labor (without straining)?

Just by a physical examination. Lots of prodding, tapping, listening. He spent a lot of time listening to me. Actually, I was favorably impressed with how deliberate he was.

I'm going to call in the morning and see if I can get an antibiotic.

I'm surprised he didn't at least order a ct scan, or colonoscopy to confirm that you have diverticulitis,. When I was first diagnosed they also put me on 2 antibiotics, flagyl and levaquin.

Good morning...I am new at this too. I got diagnosed last Friday. When I was having bad stomach pain, mine would last anywhere from 2-6 hours. I usually had to take some pain medication before it would quit so I could go to sleep. I don't have any experience on diet information, but my doctor said to eat a lot of fiber when weel, and go to liquid when pains arise.

As I explore this site further I am picking details up.

There is a difference between infection and irritation.

The irritation can last several weeks or indefinitely.

Are these two statements true?


I have to assume the doctor felt I did not have an infection.

I really have no desire to take antibiotics if I do not have an infection.

Am I just being too impatient??

And I understand that I should stay away from fiber until I have zero pain. Right??

Thanks

I still get pain now and then. When I do I usually stop the fiber and go soft type foods and take a Bentyl tablet. If you have Diverticulitis that also means you have the condition called Diverticulosis. Many people have the later condition, but never develop the "itis" part of the illness. I always figured if you have the itis then you have had an infection. I could be wrong. But I do know from my Gastro doc that once you have Diverticulitis then the bowel is usually permanently changed. In my case I have a permanant slight restriction in the area the infection/flare was. The doc said this will probably not get better. He tells me fiber is my friend and I do a lot of it. On most days I am doing between 30 and 40 grams of fiber. Fiber 1 cereal, Fiber 1 bars, Benefiber and lots of water. I stay away from seeds, nuts and popcorn as much as I can. But other than that I eat pretty much what I want. I seldom have a big meal though.

An infection is determined by blood work and the presence of a fever. My fever was very low grade and the blood count was not off tremendously. But the pain I had was unbelievable. I thought I was gonna pass out from the pain a couple times.

I would strongly suggest you get a Gastro doc. Once you are out of pain and sure you do not have an infection then you need to be scoped to see how much damage has been done. If the gastro doc will do it, and most do, have him/her give you a prescription for Bentyl. This is basically a muscle relaxant for the colon. If you start to get the pains again Bentyl can help prevent a full blown flare up by relaxing the colon. At least it will make the flare up not as bad. If I feel the tale-tale cramping in my lower left side I take a pill asap.

If you are still felling pains eat stuff like mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, yogurt, soups, those foods seem to help. Lots of water. Don't be afraid to take stool softener laxitives cause you sure don't want to strain to poop while you are in pain. If you pop a hole in that colon you are gonna be in a lot of hurt and also gonna wear a bag for a while afterwards. Water is good.

This morning I felt about the same as past mornings. But today I went to work. I had a great day! A few hours of decent physical activity and I never felt pain all day.

As I type, there is just a hint of pain.

Thank-you BobbyBoy, jhaley75, and Catfish for your replies.

Well, that is good news. That should mean you have no infection. Go low and slow and get scoped by the best GI Doc that is available to you. Bob

Did your doctor order any blood work? At the very least, he should check your white cells to determine if an antibiotic is necessary (ie infection).

I just came home yesterday from having a sigmoid resection myself. I have had chronic pain since my last attack which helped me make the decision to finally move forward with the surgery.

If you haven't had a CT scan or a colonoscopy to confirm the diagnosis, I might suggest another doctor. If you can get a referral to a GI, that's who you should be seeing.

Good luck - hope you feel better!

I completely agree with Bobbyboy I have gone through the works like he has.Have experienced all the things he mentioned.Fiber is my best friend also.I did 8 full days in the hospital with a sever attack.I lost blood and potassium.Had to have three potassium IV drips plus iron.
Now that I have gotten educated with the painful signs I hit the fiber.