Can anyone offer advice please diagnosed 2 weeks ago with Diverticulitis

Hi Julie...your poor mum! Can defo sympathise with her. Everybody is different, and I am no doctor but my first thought when I read your predicament was to stop taking Loperamide, especially since she has what sounds like a bad flare up. I would also stop all solid food and stick to just plain boiled water for at least a few days. Then hopefully things would settle down enough to gradually introduce solids but not high fibre just yet. Get her to take probiotic drink in the morning and top it up through the day with 2 Acidophilus pills. I am sure she will find a big difference cutting out the food and giving her insides a rest. I would never take Loperamide as with diverticulitus these could cause more problems. But like I said everyone is different but she defo needs some respite for a few days. Hope she feels better soon. Xx

Sorry to hear about such a horrible flare up.  Julie is correct that each of us is different but one thing we can all agree on is letting the system rest and take in only liquid.  Also the probiotics seems to help with everyone and aloe vera juice. I never had to take any medications out side of antibiotics so I'm not familiar with the meds you named.  To be honest I think only the right diet is the key to this disease we have.  I say that because I haven't had any flare ups once I found out what are my do's and don'ts with food.  Start out with liquids and gradually add things back in and you will feel much better. Keep your progress updated here, we try to support each other as much as possible. Take care!

Hi there, I must say I agree with the other comments. I have recently had a bad flare up and was put on antibiotics and liquid diet with the advise that I was to reintroduce foods small portions and gradually,over a few days. I was on a liquid diet for 2 weeks with soups,yogurts probiotics drinks and supplement. Week 3 I then had scrambled eggs, salmon and small amounts of fruit. It's frustrating, painful and bewildering. One thing I would add is take it gently. Personally I don't eat bread as it doesn't agree with me, but that's just my experience and unfortunately with this condition its personal and trial and error and what suits one person doesn't suit another. be careful about adding fibre to quickly. Wishing you and your mum well x.

WHOA there!! Please keep to a low fibre diet while things are inflamed and painful.....liquid diet or low fibre when poorly to give gut a rest.  Only bring in high fibre when things have settled and out of pain.  It took me YEARS to get that advice from my doctors; but my gosh it helps.  You can ask to see a dietician; but think you will get all the advice you need from these pages re diet.  I paste in comments now that I wrote for someone else.                             I expect you have read some of my replies to folk on here.  I have had Diverticular Disease since 2006.  There are a few rules to follow - NEVER have seeds, nuts, pips or skins (not even dried fruit as the seeds and pips are still there; only smaller and dried) as these bits of nut; seed and pip can lodge in the DD pouches/pockets.....and the first you know is when they have festered away for several days and suddenly you get hit with the pain you have just had; yes - you think you are dying......and left untreated; you likely would.  I am not scaremongering; but his is a serious condition we have; and we need to make life changes to reduce the bouts of infection. Also avoid veg and fruit skins as these can get stuck; that means sweetcorn and peas and pulses generally are a no; no.  Find your own way with the "windy" veg like cabbage; broccoli; leeks and onions - I am fine with them; some are not.  Likewise garlic and spices - I cannot tolerate them; others eat them and are fine.  These windy veg and spices do not cause infections; but our guts react to them quickly with pain that is a response and reaction; which can be as painful as an infection.  The other thing to remember is NEVER to get constipated.  Take something like Fybogel to keep things in that department regular.  Straining a gut that has weak points; can created new pockets/pouches (and we do not want any more of them than we already have!!!) Even following all the "rules" on diet; I was ill more than I was well from Nov 14 til July 15 - but then from advice on here; I began taking high dose acidophilis from the UK Holland and Barrett health stores (20 billion) which are healthy bacteria for the gut.  I have been well since July 2015.  It is a JOY not to be in pain.  I wish you well with all the changes you make...I can have red meat, pasta; pizza with no problems. Some say red meat gives them pain.  While your gut is inflamed; keep your diet light, bland and LOW fibre - as you get better and the gut pain goes; increase your fibre intake.

 

Thanks all for your advice, I've been to H&B and got some high dose acidophilis​ and aloe vera juice with Munuka Honey, hopefully things will start to improve, as had another bout of dashing to the loo this morning and feeling sick after having some soup.  Didnt realise how many people are affected by this horrible complaint - thought we were on our own - nice to have some support - thanks again.

Julie I am a private yoga teacher and Bowen myofascial therapist working with conditions relating to stress.  I am practicing in London if that is of any help, best wishes Lisbeth