Diverticulosis

Hi Maureen, don't despair there is life with diverticular disease, it just needs a little adjustment. Be aware not all fibre is right, so avoid seeds and nuts or anything which comes out the same as it went in, such as corn (and popcorn). Also avoid skins, so peel your apples and pears, and don't even bother with grapes. Berry's are a no-no as they are just skins and pips too. Lok up soluble fibre on the internet for a good idea what is digestible. Basically your gut is not firing on all cylinders, so don't tax it with difficult foods, and if you are getting pain then stick to simple and easily digested things like eggs, chicken, fish and well cooked vegetables. I find cooked veg better than raw. Tomatoes must be skinned and de-seeded. Try Fybogel once or twice a day to boost your fibre. Some people use probiotic (or is it prebiotic?) Pills, but I don't so I can't comment on them. I hope this helps you to get on the right track to manage your DD. Note also that stress and tension contribute to it, so try not to worry, and good luck.

Everyone is different but since they find diverticulosis that means no infection.  Symptoms vary from person to person.

I watch what I eat as in no nuts, seeds or skins.  I have had several severe attacks over the years and depending on severity of symptoms I either put a heating pad on my abdomen and take Tylenol , go to doctor get antibiotics after diagnosis or if severe pain and general not good feeling I am hospitalized and put on IV antibiotics.  I have had this for a good 15 years and am able to tell the difference.

It’s a very stressful condition and unfortunately there is not an exact treatment unless you have a confirmed diagnosis. As by having a CT scan.

Good luck. Ps I have IBS too so combining the two it’s hard to not feel anxious at times.

I cannot eat high fiber even though I am told to.  I stick to mostly easy to digest foods. Seldom eat red meat unless it is ground beef. 😘. And I am 71.

Maureen everything I was told and have followed is white only. White bread, rice, pasta  with no fruit with skin or seeds, no veggies with skin even cooked and no broccoli and no tomato anything. Juice no pulp so apple juice, and on meds, NO alcohol. Green beans ok but didn’t chance it. If you google diviticulitis diet it will tell you. I’m not sure about diviticulosis but know no seeds .  Good luck. 

Hello, sorry to hear you have this; you have certainly found the right place for some good advice. Everyone seems to be different with regard to what they can't eat.

Doctors now say the old advice to avoid skins and seeds etc is outdated  and no longer recommended; however many contributors to this forum prefer to avoid them. I've personally had no problem with them and like to consume berries, tomatoes, potato skins and the like as they form valuable roughage; but I can't eat meat. Some sufferers can't eat ice cream or high fat foods. It is such an individual thing, alas. I take a sachet of Fybogel every day as with diverticular disease it is very important not to get constipated.

If you have IBS it might be helpful to follow the Fodmap diet which I found very helpful.

I'm sorry there seems no definitive advice for managing DD; it does seem to be trial and error. It might be helpful to see a dietician although if you wade through the pages on this site you are certain to find help and encouragement. 

You will find lots of information on this site Maureen I was diagnosed in May by way of a CT scan I wasn't given very much information by the medical profession other than its normal to have diverticular disease at my age 66 this site has since given me all the information I have needed to manage it to the best of my ability. Im now finding and eliminating the foods that cause pain and bloating

Hi Maureen

I was diagnosed in May and it's been a bit . I am 50. The only good thing is that I have dropped a couple of dress sizes , which needed to happen to be honest . I have pain in my left side most days . I take sachets of cosmocol everyday and a probiotic tablet ..not sure if the probiotic is helping . I avoid Res meat as a burger a few weeks ago was a killer. I eat chicken , fish , actimel and live yougurts . No white stuff anymore . I have even eat brown bread , which I like now 😁. It's a tricky disease and has changed my life totally. I am seeing the consultant again in December as getting the pain every day is getting me down . I work full time and some days it's a struggle. I also take Buscopan and paracetomol for the pain . Also a hot water bottle eases it . I hope I don't have to have another colonoscopy as that was horrible 😬. Good luck and as ever one says , everybody is different . This forum is great for advice x

All the replies here in your thread offer excellent advice.  I personally found my trigger foods were gluten and wheat, so I have gluten free products.  Also full fat and ice cream.  I found this out by keeping a food diary to see which foods triggered the symptoms.  I get my high soluble fibre in the form of home made blended veggie soup, and I eat root veggie purees - carrot, swede, potato, parsnip.  Makes a good topping for a pie made with chicken or turkey mince.  I also take a sachet of Fybogel each day (Metamucil in the USA) but there are others on the market.  Mine is prescribed and comes free as I am 67.  I also take Aloe Vera capsules and Actimel which both helped when I started taking them.  If you actually had an attack of Diverticulitis when you had pain, then it can take months for your insides to heal and the pain subside.  But you might always have niggles.  Also stress is a major trigger for both DD and IBS, so it would help if you could find a way to relax and take gentle exercise.  Best wishes