Yes, it takes awhile to get back to normal. Bananas are a great idea. That and probiotics are what worked for me.

I agree with Captain- WAY too soon for high fiber to be added! I did the same as you and I paid for it. Slow down on the fiber and eat some bananas, white rice, chicken soup.....

I was told to start at no more than 10 gr. of fiber a day then add 5 gr. weekly. Otherwise you will be in a world of hurt. I know I was. Added it slow and steady and now things are good.

Hope you find some relief soon!!

Docs told me to start increasing Fiber as soon as I was Off the Meds, I found this to be a Mistake, I also had to eat Bland Foods as the Medications caused Gastritis in me,

It was a Good 8 Weeks before I even Tried to add fiber in again. Fiber Foods to not digest, and the Guts work relentlessly...they are still in the Process of Healing, and regenerating Good Bacteria...I would stay with real easy to digest foods for awhile yet..if ya eat Veggies make sure they are Fully Cooked. I am 1 Year out from a resection, and have decided I will never eat uncooked veggies again..I eat them steamed, not fully cooked.

you can Juice up some Carrots, apples..so ya get the fiber, but ur guts don't have to work quite so hard to get em thru, but yea...then ur bowels will loosen up..

Honestly, If ya have loose bowels right now, I would just make sure to be replacing the electrolytes everyday..let time heal your guts...stay a bit quieter, Extra Movement irritates the guts...I mean ya gotta Move...just Not Excessive, like No Lifting, rough housing...lol, ya Know ? Even going up and down steps alot can irritate the guts to much til they are FULLY Healed.

Keep to foods that are Easily digested..then Very SLOWLY start adding in a bit of Fiber..

Is a Long Process I know, but it takes Nothing to set them off again and you Don;t want that as every attack inches you Closer to having a resection.

It isn't even just about the Infection itself...your Body also has to Heal just from the Medications which are Devastating to the entire digestive tract.

Thanks for all the advice. This is such an exhausting process and I already had surgery a year ago, Don't want to have any more.
Thanks it is good to be able to talk to others who have dealt with the same issues.

I to have just finished 3 weeks of antibiotics and have not had a normal bowel movement only very soft pencil stools every morning Had ct which confirmed diverticulitis now going to try eating bananas as i have heard this may help

Hello.

My diverticulitis was identified 7/29 and I have been off antibiotics for about 5 weeks. My BMs have not completely returned to normal yet. Bananas, probiotics, and Metamucil wafers are helping. I always though Metamucil was only for constipation, however, I read somewhere that it also helps firm loose stool. I'm finding this to be true for me.

I added too much fiber too quickly and started getting pain again. It really scared me. I went back to a low residue diet for awhile and am now SLOWLY adding fiber back. The irony is that I had a really high fiber diet to begin with.

I've been getting more information here than I have from any doctor I have spoken to since I was diagnosed. Very grateful for this site. So frustrated with doctors!

I can so related to being tired of focusing on my gut and my BMs :-)

Best Wishes!

Hello Beachlover 62 when do you think i could start Metamusal only just finished antibiotocs but like you i have always had high fibre diet Still getting very soft stools this was my first flare up I hate this desease its ruling my life

See...Thats my Point...Dr.s say eating a low Fiber Diet Causes this, yet I Read over and Over again that Many of us were High Fiber eaters.

Fiber adds BULK, it does Not Digest...gives the Guts something to work on..

Is also very Gas producing..ever say next to a vegan ?? lol...JK !! But yea...very Gassy..

My Entire Family is a meat & potatoes type..not BIG into Veggies..I was the Only one to not eat alot of Meat..mostly Fruits & Veggies..RAW.

Gas produces pressure..

I would have JUST TOLD my Dr. that I eat High Fiber, and his Advise was to eat MORE Fiber.

Also, I have Never been Constipated in my Life..Ever,,so That was not my Issue either..

I just have NO idea, I WISH I did as I do NOT ever want to go thru this CRAP Again..

@macalec, I started taking the fiber wafers about a week after I stopped antibiotics. I probably could have started sooner, but I was paranoid about what I could and couldn't eat. They have 5g of fiber.

@DakotaRose, I too don't understand why I developed diverticula. I had a high fiber diet, ate salad at least once a day, and never got constipated. You know, I also wondered about the gas connection though. I also took Advil semi-regularly, it was my pain reliever of choice for muscle aches and cramps. Scared to take any sort of pain meds now.

Two weeks after going off antibiotics I felt cured and had a couple of days of my normal diet. When I calculated my fiber I was at 25g for the day without even trying (had no idea how much fiber I consumed). Guess it was too much for my body to handle.

I've since decided to go slow with raw veggies and am feeling better. Although I did have a small plain salad with dinner tonight.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

WOW. I am so glad I am not alone. I just completed my two weeks of Cipro and Flagyl. I too am taking it easy on my diet. Whats with these doctors saying go right back to a regular diet NOW INCLUDING seeds and nuts. ARE THEY CRAZY? It wasnt their guts that were inflamed, or having nonstop diarrhea. Also, anyone else think Flagyl and Cipro should be in a capsule or enteric coated? What bitter pills to take. Had to float them on yogurt, pudding or jelly to gag them down.

Hi Beach Lover thankyou for your advice wasnt told when to stop low residule diet but hate it as i have always had healthy diet not sure if i can get wafers in Aus i know we get capsules and powder I am very wary as to what to eat but have started to have banana daily and eating probiotic yogurt BM still not back to normal as yet Good Luck

I started flagyl and cipro four days ago is it ok to have bananas?

Is it ok to have mashed potatoes with milk added?

Did you have a bad taste in your mouth from the antibiotics?

I too was just diagnosed with diverticulitis- finished Meds... off liquid diet abc slowly adding fiber back in. I’ve been home from hospital for IV antibiotics for 5 days now and am on a low fiber diet but not a normal eat anything diet. Also scared to add in too much fiber. Although I did have a small salad last night!!! But today my poo is still runny but not watery. Also added in benefiber as was told to do so slowly. After reading all these lists though I’m now wondering if I’m moving too fast!!! I don’t feel bad or have anymore pain. I’m hungry and want to get back to normalcy. But never want to experience the pain and upset system I had again.