1st Diverticulitis Attack

Linda, Im 59 and just had my first attack last Sunday. I was put On Flagy but after 5 days of taking it I had to stop it I could not handle the brain side affects . I am stil taking Bactrim have to be on it for 10 days. What two antibotics did you take and did good on and what was the mgs? My flagy was 500mgs the Bactrim does not say what mg's it is. I take the Flagy 3 x's a day but like I said I stopped it after 5 full days but still on Bactrim. Mine was diagnosed after a trip to ER with bloody discharge from bowels and horrid pain and temp white blood cell was a little over 11,000 they ran a CTScan w/dye and tons of blood work. How about you? Does your bottom stomach feel weid or uncomfortable when you walk around?  I want tea but on my er paper work its says no caffiene is that because of the medicine or the diverticulisis I was too sick at the time to even think to ask. I was diagnose Jan 23, 2017  :-(

I also had my first attack likewise antibiotics for 7/10days much better than I was a week ago, strange how it effects one, 6 months ago I was biking 50km 3 times a week, last Week I could just about make it upstairs, palpitations low energy and a feeling of being very unwell!

I am interested in the symptoms that others encounter, my German Doctor who is great is very slow to administer antibiotics, which I suppose these days is wise! But it also can have negative results allowing the condition to worsen, however he did give them to me so I had them on standby should it get worse which it did!

So anyone with a range of symptoms, it would be good to hear your encounters.

By the way I am English ex Army living in Germany.

Hello Linda... sorry about your problem. Maybe someone can help you on this forum. I have been trying to research diverticulitis and there just isnt a lot there. I do believe I had this longer than thought. I remember in my late 20's having a problem but I would not eat or eat little for a day or 2 and it would be ok. Diagnosed with IBS and sent away with nothing and just dealt with it for years.. getting worse with time. I feel it make link to an allergy to some foods and then it causes other things in system to not work properly. Please share any insights you may have.

Hi Linda

I'm 66 and have had this disease for 15 years, with 4 flare ups over the years.  Reading your report it sounds as though you are doing everything just right, from the accumulated experiences of people on this forum.  It can take quite a long time for the symptoms to subside.  I used to reckon up to 4 weeks to get back to normal, but after my last flare, it was over 4 months before I was almost pain free. I still get daily niggles, mostly before the first BM.

There are things you can do to help yourself feel better and reduce the risk of further flares.  My GP prescribed psyllium husk which I take twice a day in 12oz water.  These husks bulk and soften stools and have a mild laxative effect.  They keep the bowels cleaned out and help prevent food getting trapped and causing another inflammation/infection.  (Brand name in UK Fybogel, USA Metamucil).  I also take pure aloe vera juice - a teaspoon morning and night.  This is a well known natural product used to fight infection, both internally and externally and helped reduce my pain within 5 days of starting it.  I also take a daily probiotic drink.

I upped my fluid intake by making well blended home made soup, so I get soluble easily digestible fibre which slips down.  I also make a vegetable puree of potato, carrot, swede and parsnip, to have with my dinner.  You will soon find out what suits you best. 

I am sceptical about these so called studies which say "no evidence ...."  One size does NOT fit all - it's trial and error and we are all different.  My triggers are gluten and full fat.  Best wishes.

Since my first attack in 2014 I have had about 8 attacks and they are unfortunately becoming more frequent.  As you say there is so much conflicting information, and I have not found anything that helps me yet.  Having said that I avoid things with seeds, raspberries, strawberries etc, in fact lots of foods that I love.

Thank you for all the comments/advise. i am into week 3 and still have low energy and just not feeling like myself yet but have returned to work. I can't imagine going through this again. I think I will take felinia's advise and start Metamucil. In reply to crosado8 my lower abdomen was very tender for 2 weeks and I had to walk slowly . In retrospect I should have stayed home longer and rested. Live and learn! Of note I live in the US in Philadelphia, PA. I welcome all of the feedback and hope all have a healthy 2017

Linda, please note I went to a surgeon and he told me no surgery and to start taking Metamucil. The psyllium seed is the ingredient that will absorb and push everything out of your colon. It works and I have never had another attsck since I have been on it for six years. I also had a friend who has Diverticulitis and he came to me and is also a successful patient with psyllium. Stop the suffering and start living your life with no pain.