Posted , 11 users are following.
I have recently been diagnosed with diverticulitis, on CT scan. Was due to have a colonoscopy but had to defer it due to a flare up. I'm 61, slim and thought I had a good diet. I am now terrified of another "do" - so painful. Conflicting advice on Google - don't do this, do this. I'm so confused. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Currently on antibiotics. Dreading completing the course. Daren't eat anything but cheese on toast! Help, please.
0 likes, 21 replies
surf49 wendyannp
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wendyannp surf49
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Guest wendyannp
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Hi Wendy
While you are on antibiotics suggest you stick to a mainly liquid diet. As the pain subsides suggest you try bland low residue diet (no fibre) ie mash, steamed fish, boiled white rice/pasta, grilled chicken, broth, yogurt (no added bits), white crustless bread, eggs, clear apple juice, jelly, tea/coffee. Small quantities, well cooked and chew well. Then slowly introduce small amounts of fibre (soluble). DiviDiners on this forum is a good source of food tips.
There's no quick fix for this - the antibiotics and illness will leave you feeling rough for a few weeks, and it will take longer for the pain to subside. Also will take time for your bowels to get back into a normal rythym. Lack of input = lack of output and lack of fibre = constipation, but antibiotics = the runs. So you will be up and down. Advice is conflicting because everyone is different, and what suits one does not suit another. Suggest you keep a food diary and note of foods that upset you.
Most people on their first attack feel just as you do, but it does get better. This forum is a great source of information - much better than the vague doctors. Best wishes.
wendyannp Guest
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Thank you. I take on board what you say. I'm hoping that I get into a routine. The pain has been so bad I almost passed out.
val_51376 Guest
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Felina. I'm into my third week of a flare up and you are quite right , re the getting back to normal rhythm as i am finding out. The pain is also still present, and I was beginning to worry, as I haven't had a flare since my surgery 6 years ago and had forgotten how bad it is, so thank you for the reply to Wendy as it has helped me also.
susan95516 wendyannp
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I felt like you on my first flare I listened to what falinia and other people on this forum told me and I got through it. I think what helped me most was the food diary. I was able to see what upset me so I stay clear of these foods. I haven't had a flare ( touch wood ) for months. I can't eat eggs tomatoes stew red meat sprouts. The only fruit I eat are pears and the odd banana. I have fybergel and a probiotic tablet every morning and mabevarine before meals Stick to a bland diet for awhile and plenty of fluids. I hope you feel better soon
wendyannp susan95516
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angela91414 wendyannp
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Follow Felinas advice she is spot on. Yes DD is miserable hopefully you won’t have too many flare ups. Best wishes
wendyannp angela91414
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kerry58794 wendyannp
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Wendyann,
bless your heart! Sorry to hear you're in the "club" ... absolutely understand.
Liquid diet is the first thing to do. In July 2017, I went to the hospital w/ horrific pains. Was in ICU for two (2) days. Total of six (6) days in hospital - antibiotic IV for five (5) days, no food or drink during that time. Was offered 2 T of ice chips every four (4) hours ... YIKES!
I was so afraid to eat Anything. I was on a liquid diet for three (3) weeks - dropped 17 lbs. Slowly progressed to soft foods. I'm 61 and a little on the chunky side.
Hugs
wendyannp kerry58794
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Thank you Kerry. I'm finding this forum very helpful. I think I was expecting too much too soon. Liquid diet it is then! 😊
val_51376 wendyannp
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I hope you feel better sooner rather than later and by following the advice given here I'm sure you will be. Into the 3rd week of a flare up and still not stable so I know how hard it is and I hope knowing you are not alone will help.
miriam65408 wendyannp
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Hi Wendy, all the advice is good and should help but no one's mentioned pro-biotics. The antibiotics you're on are to kill off all the bad bacteria that are causing the trouble but your gut needs the good 'flora' as they are what actually sorts your food out for you. Without replenishing these good guys you run the risk of the bad ones taking over again.
Other discussions here have recommended taking two probiotic capsules a day (maybe ones that contain different good bugs, there are generally about 5 types in each capsule). Also, try to eat live yoghurt but don't add any sugar, jam or other sweetener (Greek-style natural is delicious on it's own!). Maybe a little honey if you can tolerate it but I would stay right off any sugar as it's basically a poison. Some of the flavoured ones like yeo or rachels are live but check the sugar content.
You can also get kefir (in sainsburys) which is a fermented milk drink similar to yoghurt, and (if/when you can tolerate it) a good sauerkraut has lots of friendly bugs in it too. Your main aim should be to get your gut thriving again with good flora which will keep any bad bugs in check. You also need to try to find out why you got the problem in the first place so have a good look at both your diet and your lifestyle as stress often plays a big part. I found the book by michael mosley called cleverguts very helpful as he explains all about what the main groups of good bacteria are and what they do. The last thing you want is to take another course of antibotics - these damage a lot more of you than just the bit they're targeted for. Which one were you on?
Look forward to completing the course and getting your gut back to good health!
Good luck!
wendyannp miriam65408
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Hi Miriam. Thank you very much for your reply. It's such a minefield, not knowing what to eat etc. I'm on amoxycillin, and paracetamol for pain. Had to defer my colonoscopy as I had a flare up and they wouldn't do it. It's actually draining me. Hope I learn to manage it soon.
jacqueline01135 wendyannp
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Go to DIVI DINERS forum,, tons of advice from lots of people, about sorting your D.D One piece of advice you would benefit from,, taking a Probiotic ,it's a capsule full of bacteria bashers,,lots of us take it ,'cos it works,, and ,,we need all the help we can get. Don't stress about it ,it can be sorted xxx
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