How long do other people's diverticulitis attacks last? Just read someone on soft diet x 2months?!
Posted , 153 users are following.
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
52331 caz45653
Posted
Caz45653 It's called the North American diet because we humans consume too much red meat and not enough fiber in our diets. It's really simple go to your local store and get psyllium seed. These fiber supplements provide fiber related benefits to your digestive track. Your colon is the final piece of your small intestine, and psyllium asssits to keep food moving through the colon so you don't become constipated. Psyllium has a laxative effect on your digestive track and the fiber absorbs water which swells as it passes through the colon, bulking your stool and making it easier to have a bowel movement.
Note if the colon is clean you will not have an outbreak of diverticulitis and soluble fiber keeps your colon clean from fecal matter and working properly.
Good luck and keep your head up. Diet, exercise, and stress must be in check for your body to work properly.
bridgett24417 caz45653
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Hello all, I'm currently going through lower left abdominal pain, nausea, no appetite, some fevers, some back pain, the pain is most intense when I'm sitting, taking deep breaths, moving (such as in a car, going over bumps or turns), my poop isn't hard, sometimes it's on the softer side, sometimes a little sometimes a lot, it feels almost like it has a hard time getting through one spot then it's fine getting around after that, a lot of times I feel like more needs to come out. I am very gassy and bloated. I just saw a gastroenterologist and he's having me take medicine for IBS but I'm concerned about diverticulitis. What steps did everyone have to take to first get diagnosed. I've had pain on and off for months but didn't start seeing any professionals until October in the ER. Thank you for any comments that may help me better understand what could be wrong.
Guest bridgett24417
Posted
Hi Bridget it sounds to me like you need a proper diagnosis which means a Coloniscopy to determine exactly what's going on,it does sound like D Disease to me but for piece of mind I would asks your doc for a referral .Good luck .
ron16143 bridgett24417
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tj76527 bridgett24417
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You need to get diagnosed properly...Mine was originally diagnosed through coloniscopy...At least you will know then what you are dealing with. Good Luck 🙂
amy54480 caz45653
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The GAPS diet is a healing diet for the gut. It is helpful to have the book. If you google GAPS Diet you can find their store. It is short for gut and psychology syndrome. It is a life change to the way a person eats. Using this diet healed my whole family.Now I'm dealing with diverticulitis and I am going right back the GAPS diet. Lots of bone broth, the longer you cook it the better for you. Egg yolks, no whites, mixed in the broth, temper them and you won't get scrambled eggs, they will be liquid in the broth. That's for starters. God bless, I hope this helps.
gohce caz45653
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Guest gohce
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Hi
This must be really distressing for you and your Mum, and it's quite a tricky one.
Sometimes the side effects of the antibiotics can actually make you feel worse, particularly in older people. Or it could be that she just needs more antibiotics as sometimes one course is not enough. Or both! Depending on what other medication your mum is on, painkillers are recommended, but you would need a doctor's clearance for the type. If she is experiencing pain spasms, similar to the wave pain of giving birth, she might need an antispasmodic like Mebeverine. Again a doctor would advise. I got comfort from a hot water bottle.
As for diet, all Diverticulitis sufferers are advised to stick to a liquid diet until the pain eases, and to have NO fibre, to give the bowel a rest. I personally took meal replacement drinks, like Complan. I also had clear soup (Waitrose do chicken and beef consomme), clear fruit juice (like apple), plain yogurt and tea (herbal and ordinary). Some teas are supposed to help digestion, but I personally cannot verify. I lost 10 pounds in 8 days but once I started to feel better it soon went back on. I am 66 so no youngster myself.
Once the pain starts to ease she can slowly introduce some good easily digested fibre. I have well blended soup and vegetable puree, along with sloppy porridge. Julia1040 made a very good post on this forum with suggestions.
I hope this helps a bit.
gohce Guest
Posted
Thank you very much for your prompt reply!
At least i got to know more about this problem. Just wonder when will the pain ease? My mum has the pain almost everyday since early Dec. Can the pain really ease?
Thanks
Guest gohce
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amy54480 gohce
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madeline27614 gohce
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heydee269 caz45653
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Reading this thread really helps me. New to Diverticulitis. I was diagnosed Nov 2016. It's now Jan 2017, and in that 2 month period, I've had 4 flare ups. I learned that I definitely do not drink enough water. I must avoid dairy. I must avoid alcohol. I have a hard time sticking to a liquid diet for 3 days at a clip, so I eat solid foods and it makes my symptoms so much worse! I'm asking for help with this liquid diet. Besides broth and jello, what else is there??
Guest heydee269
Posted
Hi
This is a really tricky one if you can't take dairy. I too struggled with liquid only but was also able to have yogurt and meal replacement drinks. I also had fruit and herbal tea. I don't know if it would help, but perhaps you could try dairy replacements like almond milk and soya milk/yogurt. The other item I have to avoid is gluten and wheat products.
I'm afraid recovering from flares can take time and patience whilst your insides heal. My last flare was August and it was Christmas before I finally became pain free (more or less). Other supplememnts you might consider are pure Aloe Vera juice, which I found really helped me, probiotics and psyllium husk powder mixed with water (twice a day). Brand names Fybogel or Metamucil. Best wishes
madeline27614 heydee269
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Are you on an antibiotic? Heat helps. Put a heating pad on the area but low. I sometimes take tylenol. I've had this on and off for 20 years and I keep holding on. I do not want surgery but it may come to it. Be careful on what you eat and stay on soft food for several weeks until you are sure you are getting better. I eat lots of broth. I usually don't have much of an appetitie at first so it isn't hard so after 30 hours I start introducing soft foods like pasta, small amount of chicken and carrots (I cook the chicken and carrots well and it makes a great broth). Yogurt and applesauce and rice are good too. No skins they are hard to digest although my doctor doesn't agree that the nuts, seeds and skins cause the flair up I believe for me it does. It's not easy to do because everything you eat has some sort of those in them. Toast with jelly. Make sure you buy seedless jelly or jam and plain peanut butter not chunky. Good luck but have faith that your doctor will guide you in the right direction.