How long do other people's diverticulitis attacks last? Just read someone on soft diet x 2months?!

Hi. Elizabeth. Are you on antibiotics. The antibiotics I was on for the attack made everything worse because of the digestive issues they cause. And I did have low back pain also. But I am prone to it. Hope you feel better soon. Shawn

Shawn: I saw the surgeon. He said if these flair ups are ruining the quality of my life then have elective surgery but he felt even though I have had numerous attacks non of which have been an abscess that I should increase my fiber and water. A fiber supplement every day and at least 7 glasses of water. I was surprised at his conservative advise so we'll see. He said I worry too much. That the risks are the same with surgery or without. He said I don't have cancer. So he doubts I'll die from diverticulitis attack. Hope this eases your mind and maybe talking to a good surgeon would help. 😘

Bless your heart. I guess when you hear the word surgeon you think they want to do surgery haha. I'm so glad it went well. I was thinking about you today. Did you also have a colonoscopy. Is that why he said you didn't have cancer. I didn't either of course we can be glad of that blessing. The problem with me and fiber is I've always ate a lot. But since this attack when I eat a lot of salad and fruits and vegetables. I start having worse twinges. And I hate to say this part but it happened today. Much larger bowel movements with undigested

Food. This may be normal. I was e looking before haha. I think when it goes through that area it stretches the part that just healed then I have the pinching pains. I guess at some point it will subside. I'm staying on my anxiety medicine. It helps me not to worry which I'm sure helps with stress. Keep in touch. Shawn 😻

You bet! He looked at my Ct scan and 11/2 year colonoscopy and said he saw enough to not repeat it so I'm taking fiber supplements starting today with fingers crossed. Anxiety adds to it! But it's hard to change. Good luck and 🙏🙏You'll stay healthy.😘

How do you know its diverticulitis attack?

I was doubled over in pain in left lower side and broke out in a cold sweat. Landed in ER on 7.15.17. 6 days in hospital, 5 day massive antibiotics regimen, no food or drink, believe they call this "bowel rest'

Home, just started soft foods diet - mashed potatoes and scrambled eggs.

Truthfully, afraid to eat.

The only dairy that doesn't harm my poor stomach is the one with no lactose.

FYI. I'm a male of 65 years of age.I've had low level stomach pain and just had two flare ups in the past 12 months. What I did was to go Paleo which offers more fibre in my diet. Try Paleo 80%/20% so you can still eat some of your favourite foods. I take small amouns of water before and after each meal and also during the day to keep the bacteria levels down. Its worked for me so far.I have also tried to massage ever so slightly the area of my pain to try and get the bacteria out of the pouch and moving on. Four days without a bowl movement is not good. I poop at least twice a day now rather than maybe once every two days. I have only once used medicins.

Now!

Hi sorry to but in on here not sure how to start my own topic. I started being ill 5 years ago and was diagnosed with DD then after 5 months of hell was fine for 4 years till May 16 when chronic runs started again i have now been ill for 14 months. I have had 2 more colonoscopys and keep being told there is nothing wrong with me ? I feel so ill every day and am now messing the bed and my pants in the house so how can i go out ? My life is a living hell and nobody is helping me i have a visit at the hospital with the useless conaultant. I have decided to kill my self now as it is never going to end the depression the fear the pain the sickness is too much i don't have a quality of life any more. I know it's drastic and sounds so bad but after 14 months there is no other anawer. I can't enjoy my life even going to a shop for bread is a nightmare and i end up shaking if there's a que imageing messing myself. I have given till my daughter graduates in October then do it after that. If anyone can help me please do as i am hopeing something can happen to me to help me.

Hi julie92908

You are not alone in this, and there are people out there that can help

If you are having these suicidal thoughts we strongly recommend you to speak to someone. The Samaritan offer a safe space where you can talk openly about what your are going through.

They can help you explore your options, understand your problems better, or just be there to listen.

Their contact details are on our patient information leaflet > https://patient.info/health/dealing-with-suicidal-thoughts which also offers lots of other advice on how you can access the help you need

Please do reach out - the team at the Samaritans, and the other people in our leaflet, will understand exactly what you're going through and will be able to help

Kindest Regards

Patient

Hi Julie,i was diagnosed about 3yrs ago with DD,but have continued with the diahroea so i was sent to a gastroenterologist and he said i had IBS and was told to cut down on my fiber and this has helped alot ,im in the process of taking in a stool sample and waiting for a Sigmoidoscopy,i still take Imodium tablets which help me to go out,i presume you have tried these,you do sound very desperate of which i totaly understand,Amatryptiline has been known to help ,have you tried it? but PLEASE get intouch with the Samaritans as Patient recommends.Have you thought of changing your GP?Good luck and remember people do care.

Gi

Hi yes i am on 75 mg of amatriptalene a day and take lots of imodium but nothing helps. I have towels all on my mattress as i do it in my sleep not good. Nothing works and my life is a living hell i only have my wage to live on and am only still working because i'm self enployed and have managed to work round it if i was emplyed i would have been sacked a long tume ago. Every day i wake up is another day of hell wondering will i make it through the day without messing myself. I don't want to talk to the samaritens i just want to be better . They are now saying it's colitis which is what they diagnosed me with 5 years ago. I have no future and am constantly cancelling things that have been booked like concerts as that is impossible for me. I really don't eant to dye but this had got me now and i'm at the end of it all. Ny clothes don't fit me i look awfull i'm already slim and have been bullied my whole life for it so that gets me down knowing what people are saying that i'm annorexic which i have never been. Too much for me take my head is done. I feel so bad saying i want to end it but this pushes me every day that i can't ever see it going. Thank you for this i hav'nt actually been back on till now just been too depressed.

Hi Julie, I can't imagine your frustration level. It's so hard to deal with a long term issue like this. I don't know much about Colitis only Diverticulitis. Sometimes it helps to just go back to square one. I think if it was me I would go off of all medication for a brief time and then stick to a low fiber diet with a daily probiotic to put freindly bacteria back into your system and take it from there. You've been dealing with issues for so long maybe it is time to get 2nd opinions. I do know people who have colitis and are on medication and living a normal life so there is hope.

Hello Julie,

I had symptoms quite similar to yours some time ago.

I wore diapers to work and lost 30 pounds. I went into children's size clothing.

I was told many things by several doctors until one doctor did a colonoscopy and found they I had Lynphocytic Colotis which is fairly rare. There is minocytic (?) colitis which is also fairly off the radar.

I was prescribed Budenoside, a gut specific steroid and began to feel better and regained weight and resumed a normal life after not too much time.

Had he not discovered this evasive diagnosis, I am sure I would have withered away to nothing. It was depressing to be so sick so long and to be soiling myself at such a young age.

I have not had a recurrence and life is good again.

This is not your average colitis, and it seems only the budenoside at the time was the treatment.

Perhaps there are more treatments now.

My GP was useless. Just kept giving me antidiarrheals.

The GI doc and the colonoscopy with a sample of tissue confirmed the Dx and set me on my course of renewed health and a normal life.

Keep the Faith.

Suicide isn't the answer.

You have a life ahead of you.

Go to a good GI and ask that this situation be finally addressed, and please in the interim speak with a crisis line about your depression and suicidal thoughts.

Life has its ups and downs, and you are going to find your way back to up and feeling well soon.

Hi Julie, you are not alone and we all have been there. Hopefully it will get better soon.   Read eat right for your Blood type (online/book) it might help you, it takes a while if you follow it but it changes the way your body heals.  Nothing to loose right?! 

Thinking about you ... just diagnosed w/ DD in mid-July.

Trying to find my way through ... liquid diet - soups, jello, popsicles ... as far as soft foods- chicken, rice, egg salad and chicken salad and just started mac & cheese & canned peaches.

The crazy thing is I haven't had anything "sweet" i.e., cake, cookies since my attack. I have a sweet tooth and I've been around cake, but haven't had any craving for it, so I've left it alone ... shocking, but I'm going with it.

I've increased drinking more - because I was retaining water.

I've been drinking a small glass of prune juice in the morning to keep regular. I need to remember that I'm not eating nearly as much as in the past, so not a lot of waste.

This site has helped me immensely, as this is all new to me. Thank you all.