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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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  • madge07350
    madge07350 caz45653

    Posted

    I usually stay on the liquid diet for 2/3 days then small meals of bland stuff for about a week. So far I have not been too bad with flare ups witb no need for antibiotics since my first attack in Oct 2014. Poached eggs are good and I make chicken broth from bones so as to get nutients. There are very few nutrients in carbs like rice and pasta. I avoid red meat and seedy things. In my experience seeds provoke flares. I do eat nuts like walnuts and brazils but chew them up well.
    • caz45653
      caz45653 madge07350

      Posted

      Thanks Madge. Ok will keep off seeds! Yes v important that what little we eat after flare-ups is high in nutrients I agree. You've done well to avoid antibiotics.. which ultimately often fail if ppl take them frequently ..& which of course have side effects! Cheers..just back to bed. Night. Caz
    • madge07350
      madge07350 caz45653

      Posted

      I have been floxed by Cipro. I am very frightened of having another antibiotic and will only take one if my life is in danger. In Scandanavia they do not give antibios for diverticulitis and have shown that in fact they are often not necessary unless ther are complications such as perforation. Resting the bowel with the correct diet is used instead. I have started taking Curcumin capsules and have noticed less twinges since.
  • stella05857
    stella05857 caz45653

    Posted

    I was diagnosed with this condition in August 2015 and spent a week in hospital on an antibiotic drip. I read on this site about 3 months ago to take probiotic Acidophilus 20 billion - Holland and Barrat. I must say this has been a life saver and I feel so much better. I have also found the book 'What You need to Know - Diverticulitis' by Dr. Joan McClelland. I try to have a 20 minute brisk walk every day if feeling well enough and must keep stress to a minimum. I also take charcoal tablets for wine. It is essential not to get constipated. Hope you feel better soon 
    • stella05857
      stella05857

      Posted

      Mean to say wind not wine!!!!!

       

    • shirley_007
      shirley_007 stella05857

      Posted

      I was also taking the acidophilus from Holland and Barrett. It is about £20 a pack. Discovered that Boots online had it for £14 plus buy 2and get one free. I have stocked up with it, and have enough for a year!!! It's called Bioglan. Even though I have been taking it for a while, I'm not sure how much it is helping as the flare ups are pretty bad. Afraid to stop in case things get worse. Bad flare up at the moment so staying in bed!! Thankful to have you all to share things with.
    • stella05857
      stella05857 shirley_007

      Posted

      Thanks for the information Shirley will buy the Bioglan as, like you say, the acidophilus is expensive. Hope you feel better soon
    • caz45653
      caz45653 stella05857

      Posted

      Hi Stella..yes I love walks as they help the system and the stress. Even in bad weather. As for wind...it's antisocial & agony. Didn't know u can buy charcoal pills..better than chomping charcoal biscuits! Thanks.
    • marie28646
      marie28646 stella05857

      Posted

      Hiya this my first reply. My name is marie from Ireland. I was diagnosed with diverticulitis in Nov 2016, so i haven't a clue what to eat and what not to eat, i was in hospital for 3 days. I'm having an attack now it started last Saturday today is the 4th of February, im feeling miserable. Hope i can get those pill in Holland and Barrett. I love to jog is that a no no.

    • stella05857
      stella05857 marie28646

      Posted

      Hi Marie sorry to hear you are having an attack. Have you been to the doctor and are you on antibiotics? When I am having an attack I go on a liquid diet of broth and apple juice etc to give my bowel a rest. Once I am feeling better I go on a low residue diet of mash potatoes, soups and jello etc. for a few days.I then start introducing other foods. Keep a food diary to see which foods trigger a flare up. It is essentional not to get constipated and I take fybogel.Don't forget the pro-biotics. Hope this helps let me know how you get on.

    • marie28646
      marie28646 stella05857

      Posted

      Hi Stella thanks for your reply. Yeah i was at the doc he give me antibiotics i only started them today. Thank god im alot better than last few days. I asked the doc what i can and eat and his answer is bland food 😢

    • cindy13132
      cindy13132 marie28646

      Posted

      Hi Marie sorry you're feeling bad. I'm going through exactly the same situation. I had a flare up in November 2016 and here I am 10 weeks later with another flare up! I'm taking a different antibiotic because the Flagl was awful. I'm still nauseated but not near as bad as November. My Dr is referring me to a specialist due to the recent frequency. Is the pain about the same for you as in November or is it worse/better? I feel like it's taking me longer for the pain to subside. Im confined to my bed until I feel better.

    • marie28646
      marie28646 cindy13132

      Posted

      Hi Cindy I was diagnosed last November i had diarrhoea and gas the pain was bad, this time i took diarrhoea last Saturday and the gas was worse my stomach was gurgling the pain wasn't as bad this time. Im on flagi i find them good. Poor u hope you are feeling better soon. I was in bed last weekend with the gas and diarrhoea for me that's worse than the pain.

    • pjrom
      pjrom marie28646

      Posted

      Hi I was diagnosed 1 week ago. I am barely 50. I was puto on 2 antibiotics for 7 days. metronidazole and the other starts with an "L" also over the counter miralax. I have had the hardest time dealing with this. I am a single mom with a 20 y.o son and have had to depend on him drive me. I never wanted to have to put this burden on my child. I felt like I was dying. I had the sharp pain in my left front and have been extremely weak and have this strange feeling that I feel in my middle area. It comes and goes within seconds. I get it 2-3 times a day. Does anyone of you get this? I started feeling better 2 days ago but still get that feeling and milder weakness. The pain seems to be gone. I hear everyone mention pain mine is so faint but It's the other symptoms that is bothersome. I have an appointment for a colonoscopy monday but it's also a routine due to my age. Also waiting to get a cat scan. My primary doctor diagnosed me and gave me papers to read and did not explain anything to me. I did not know it was this severe until the second day when I could barely get around. I notice I feel much better in the evenings as if I don't have it at all. I am wonderi how I am going to work with this. Can this be a disability?

    • pjrom
      pjrom marie28646

      Posted

      I have also lost a lot of weight. Does anyone know what to do to gain weight?
    • linda822
      linda822 marie28646

      Posted

      Keep in mind the probiotic does not help prevent flare-ups, it helps gets friendly bacteria into your system so you can recover faster from diarrhea, etc.
    • pjrom
      pjrom linda822

      Posted

      Linda is a flare up the pain in the lower stomach or is it also something else?

      Since I'm 4 weeks post divers and 2 weeks post pain, I am still trying to get the understanding of "flare up". Is that another word for attack?

    • linda822
      linda822 pjrom

      Posted

      This was my first attack so i don't have any flare-up history and hopefully I won't. I think it's just another word for attack.

    • pjrom
      pjrom linda822

      Posted

      Ok.

      Do you know if GSE can have some type of adverse reaction if you are on HBP meds?

    • pjrom
      pjrom linda822

      Posted

      I have the GSE but have not used it yet.

      I researched it and it says it can have some affect on hbp meds as in slowing up the breakdown of your medicine. I'll try starting with a few drops and see how that does.

      Are you someone that uses that everyday?

    • pjrom
      pjrom linda822

      Posted

      Grapefruit seed extract.

      It is suppose to be good for killing bacterial and helping viruses.

      I have researched this condition and seen other blogs and people with divers swear by it.

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