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

Posted , 153 users are following.

caz45653
caz45653

I'd love to know how long other people's flare-ups last on average. Have had D disease x 15 y. Had 3 attacks in past 6 wks. Urgh! I usually take antis & get up after 1 or 2 days, liquids only x 36hrs then soft foods x about a week, then gradually reintro fibre, seeds, pulses. Maybe I should stay on soft food more than a few days after 36h on liquids?? Opinions please! And btw its almost impossible to lose weight when this rotten condition dictates eating all the wrong stuff after an attack.. White flour pasta, mash..all those carbs! And stodge! Not helpful. Any ideas? Thanks. New to forum. Am 63 now & desperate to do anything to avoid surgery. Hi to all fellow-sufferers..this thing is a so 'n so & invades at the drop of a hat. Oh..and...

If anyone has ideas about how to address core strength safely please...do tell. Caz

7 likes, 498 replies

498 Replies

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  • nancy051057
    nancy051057 caz45653

    Posted

    I've had D since 2009.i had surgery feb 1.So far its been awesome. Min e was so bad scare tissue had enclose my female organs. So i had hysterectomy also. My energy last half a day.but each days better

    • elaine5059
      elaine5059 nancy051057

      Posted

      Nancy, what were your symptoms to know that it had attached to female organs?

      i had so much pain years ago, they kept thinking it was ovaries/uterus, had laparoscopy, few adhesions, but all clear, and then I had a clear colonoscopy.   I’ve been pain free for years and then now servaral attacks  within few  Mths.  I have a lot of hip and lower back pain especially when I bend over.  On cipro and flagel but still have discomfort.... waiting for a g.i drs appt.....thought I was done with this pain

  • douglas35202
    douglas35202 caz45653

    Posted

    I had my first attack last Tuesday. Went to ER and was treated out patient with pain meds and 2 antibiotics. Pain went away after a few days, and other than slow got tenderness in the area I felt ok. Last night I took the last of the antibiotics, but today I’ve had a few good twinges from the area. Not really painful but uncomfortable. My main question is can it be normal to have twinges even after you finish the antibiotics? I did eat more food yesterday than I had been (chicken, pasta). Just not sure how concerned I should be. Thanks for any input.
    • Katealso
      Katealso douglas35202

      Posted

      Hi this has been an experience hasn’t it?

      Twinges can last a long time in my case 2 months! I found if I ate too much at once I had more discomfort  so cut back a little. If the pain becomes constant again or a fever develops call your Dr! Again I’ve had a flare treated with antibiotics for 10d , off for 5d , and pain returned . Another trip to the ER confirmed diverticulitis and more antibiotics for 14 days. I currently have been off for 4 days still have twinges. Good luck!

    • douglas35202
      douglas35202 Katealso

      Posted

      Thanks. It’s a relief to know that. Yes, loads of fun!!!!!!!
    • Katealso
      Katealso douglas35202

      Posted

      It can be scary! This site has been a great help to me also! Unfortunately we are in the same boat but nice to have some input! Hang in there
  • vickie47128
    vickie47128 caz45653

    Posted

    Hi, I am new to forum. I was diagnosed in Feb 2018, put on antibiotics for 7days at home and on liquids for 2 days. Was not told what to eat after that , but didn’t have appetite anyways, developed bad anxiety and panic attacks. Put on Adivan and was not getting better, lost a lot of weight and always nauseous. Went to ER and Ct Scan showed had a small abscess so was hospitalized for 4days on IV antibiotics. Cat scan said abcess was shrunk and blood work normal so sent home on 10days antibiotics. Made me very ill and weak. Followed soft low fiber diet but still very sick, my pain is under left side ribs and down lower back. Causes me extreme anxiety. But all Cat Scan and exrays and blood work says I’m healing. I’m afraid to eat and am uncomfortable all the time. I see a dietitian next week and GI doc. I also see Mental Health for the anxiety. I take probiotics drink lotsa fluids teas and apple cider vinegar, soup and crackers, mashed potatoes and bone beef broth. But am not better. How long does this take to go away, The gas pains are horrible, I get no sleep and am freaking out. Weak still, shaky and headaches. Any help or advice would be appreciated 
    • Guest
      Guest vickie47128

      Posted

      I'm afraid it can take a long time to get over an attack, and with an abscess you clearly had a nasty bout.  Also the medications are very strong and knock the stuffing out of you.  You are eating and drinking the right things at the moment.  You might like to add some steamed fish to increase the protein.  It took me 4 - 6 weeks to get over a normal attack, and almost 10 months when I had 3 attacks in quick succession.  I had good and bad days, with the bad days slowly becoming less frequent.  But I still get niggles if I eat the wrong thing.  Your dietician and GI doctor may offer you some advice, but you will find plenty of posts on this forum from people experiencing exactly the same as you.  Hope you feel better.

    • Katealso
      Katealso vickie47128

      Posted

      Hi Vickie,

          You will feel better! It took me 4 weeks to feel somewhat better after I stopped the antibiotics. I have said the antibiotics made me feel worse than the pain! I was so nauseous I could barely function!  My last Er  visit was 3/3 with another round of antibiotics miserable!  My advice is to go slow with diet. I still have problems with fiber. The anxiety comes with the antibiotics in my case!  You will get better but does take forever!

    • vickie47128
      vickie47128 Katealso

      Posted

      My pain is left under ribs and feels so bloated like a balloon i was told its gas pressure. Any suggestions on relieving this pressure.
    • vickie47128
      vickie47128 Guest

      Posted

      My pain is on upper left side under rib cage, like a ballon and bloating any suggestions on how to relieve this pressure. This is a nasty icky sickness. Just want it to go away.
    • Katealso
      Katealso vickie47128

      Posted

      If you are in the US  I was told I could take simethicone,sold under Gas x or Mylicon.
    • chris61391
      chris61391 vickie47128

      Posted

      Diverticulitis is on the left ,lower down.nearer your hip bone.

      Acid Reflux is usually under the ribs on the front, if you have that .

      Look it up

      change diet accordingly

      Nothing to produce acid ok

      No coffee

      no beer

       Just Soup.. soup..boiled chicken..baked fish...rice....oat cakes.. smoothies with bananas..stay off bread with seeds,no nuts whatsoever....,

      Acid Reflux is quite common.

      Sorry you having a rough time Vickie

      hot water bottle helps a bit

      ok hang in there   its will take a bit of time....

      chris61391

    • Katealso
      Katealso

      Posted

      Hi Vickie 

       You most certainly can have gas and bloating with diverticulitis up at the ribcage. 

      In my case I had diverticulitis extending up into the descending colon. Use the heating pad for comfort. Stay away from carbonated beverages! Take something for pain

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