1. Community
  2. Gut, bowel and stomach
  3. Diverticula

I Need Suggestions For Avoiding Diverticulitis Flare Ups - Please Help!!!

Posted , 6 users are following.

Rachelmariewald
Rachelmariewald

Hello! My sister Sarah has recently been diagnosed with Diverticulitis and she has since then had a few flare ups (currently she is in the middle of one). She also has a handful of gastrointestinal issues of all kinds. My question for y'all is what do you do to track your diverticulitis flare ups? How can you tell when you have a flare up? And specifically do you know of any food/sleep/lifestyle tracking apps?

I really want to help her track this problem so that she can address it before it flares up. It is so painful for her! Please leave any suggestions!!! Thanks so much!

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • Guest
    Guest Rachelmariewald

    Posted

    I had my first flare Jan 25 2017 and I just started another flare with. PAIN and cramps all day and night for the last TWO days, I went to ER tonight but they where Packed so I had a few antibiotics of FLagy and Bactrim left I started them tonight until I can call gastro tomorrow I'm at my wits end too this disease is horrible! Anyways I need answers to the same questions you have ask too. Was your sister diagnosed through Ct How is she when she was diagnosed is she on antibiotics now or had any blood work?

     

  • Pennypops
    Pennypops Rachelmariewald

    Posted

    Hi, I'm also looking for the answers , I was diagnosed on 2nd January this year after being admitted to hospital with severe pain to find I also had a hole in my bowel and stayed in hospital for 17 days..I came out on 19th January and haven't had a flare up yet but am nervous. I had a colonscopy last week where they removed several polyps and sent me home. with an information sheet and instructions to go onto a high fibre diet.i can really feel for your sister as yes it's so painful...Wishing we all find the answers soon

  • Redshift
    Redshift Rachelmariewald

    Posted

    I don't know what causes mine it just comes on. I take a fibre supplement and also have tablets to prevent acid (prescribed by doctor). For the pain I take Soluble Paracetamol which can help, I also take a Probiotic capsule which some people recommend. 

    My flare ups cause me to have back pain and stomach pain which wakes me up, but I don't get a temperature or any other symptoms. Sorry to hear your sister has It as its horrible.

    • Guest
      Guest Redshift

      Posted

      I went to ER last night for all the acy pain and cramping for the last 2 nights and all day, well they was so full , people holding over bags votiming so I left took tylenol through the night and started a few antobotics that I had left I called my gastro and she said that the symptoms this time are not quite like the deep pain I had before when infected. She is calling in I forgot what she said the name was but it suppose to relax the colon and calm it or something like that. HAS ANYONE else had the cramping and pain even sometimes radating to lower back with out it been an infection? Did anyone elses doctor give you any meds to relax colon simular to a muscle relaxer? When my son picks it up from drug store today I will tell you the exact name dosage and all that. 
    • pjrom
      pjrom Redshift

      Posted

      I DO NOT recommend taking fiber supplements. They can constipate you and set you back from healing. You need to give your colon time to rest and heal.

      I tried taking metamucil for 1 day 3 weeks out of an attack and it constipated me and set me back 1 week. I did not have pain but the other symptoms came back. 

      I am now about 6 weeks post attack and no pain, eating better although I am still very careful of what I do and do not eat. I don't eat nuts, or veggies of any kind except canned carrots. No salads.

      You have to do everything in moderation. Do not try to eat too much or what you should not be eating.

  • lindalaz
    lindalaz Rachelmariewald

    Posted

    Contrary to what the  medical community tells you, I try to avoid foods with insoluble fiber (comes out same way it goes in!)  corn, popcorn, nuts, seeds, etc.  By doing this and taking Mira Lax everyday, I have been flare free for a little over a year.  If she is in the middle of a flare she should be avoiding all fiber until her intestines settle down.  I keep a food diary of everything that goes into my mouth just in case I do get another flare  It's called my Fitness Pal - twofold use - helps  me watch my weight too. But so far so good, knock on wood.

    • Guest
      Guest lindalaz

      Posted

      Does that include oatmeal?  You havent had to take antibotiocs for a little over a year? Was you on antibotics before?  Have you ever been hosipitalized for this horrid disease? I'm looking for hope it hgas me so depressed and constant anxiety , panic

    • lindalaz
      lindalaz Guest

      Posted

      I used to eat steel cut oats every day (hate rolled oats) but I would find little hard pieces sometimes so I cut those out too.  Yes, I have been on antibiotics - Amoxicillin, Flagyl and Cipro - Absolutely refuse to take Flagyl - really messed me up.  Doc said Amox would be a good substitute.  I keep a supply of Amoxicillin 500mg just in case.  My current gastro doc trusts me to know when I might want to come in or go to ER but since I've changed my diet, I've not had a flare.  I have been hospitalized once when my CT scan was misread by the ER doc.  Surgeon looked at the scan the next day and said no abscess (this was also confirmed by a second opinion from another surgeon when I was considering surgery).  I should have been sent home as this episode was no worse than previous ones.  I found a new gastro doc who believes it is a manageable disease and only advised surgery when you continue to have "complicated" diverticulitis.  If there is a silver lining around this cloud is the fact I have always had "uncomplicated" diverticulitis.  It has also been proven that most of the time your flares are just like your first one - not worse as previously thought.  This new gastro doc also said to increase my fiber but I think I will just listen to my body and do what I've been doing.  Yes, it is awful and I miss all the stuff I used to eat, but it is a small price to pay for not having that awful, stabbing pain.  

    • Rachelmariewald
      Rachelmariewald lindalaz

      Posted

      Oh, thanks SO much for all that info!!! I had looked into Fitness Pal for the purpose of tracking her food. Would you please tell me more about how the Fitness Pal app works? Thanks!!!
  • lindalaz
    lindalaz Rachelmariewald

    Posted

    It's an app  that I downloaded for free on my Droid phone - I can also use it on my laptop - they sync.  I think there are lots of free apps out there to track your food intake.  I needed to lose a few pounds so I use this but it's a good way to just keep track of everthing you eat.  How is your sister feeling?

    Linda

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.