Is this diverticulosis

My years of constipation caused by not drinking enough water and not eating enough fiber resulted in a severe abdominal condition, diverticulitis. I now drink at least 10 glasses of water per day and make sure I eat oatmeal for breakfast. As a result, my constipation has disappeared. I'm still battling the effects of poor diet choices years ago, but I will never again let myself get dehydrated. Water, water, and more water!

Both Madeleine and Pecan offer good advice.  It does sound as though you had an attack of Diverticulitis, although unless you had a colonoscopy or CT scan it can't be confirmed.  But if it cleared within a month on pills, then it would have been a mild attack.  Some take months to clear.  But I think you should look on it as an early warning and chance to get things right.  Constipation/runs are a common effect of DD and it is most important not to be constipated and therefore straining, as that makes the DD worse.  I am guessing the sachets may have been Fybogel, but they don't suit everyone.  Whatever means you use to avoid constipation you MUST have plenty of water, as the medication makes the bowels absorb lots of extra water to bulk and soften the stools to make them pass easily.  I always say with DD an empty bowel is a good bowel, less chance of trapped matter and infection. 

You also need to look at your diet - DD is affected by the fatty, highly processed Western food, although there is also a suspected genetic component.  You should in the main try and avoid these types of food and keep a record of anything in particular that causes pain again.  You need to ensure you get enough soluble fibre (well cooked vegetables and fruit, all without skins).  Insoluble fibre (comes out as it goes in ie skins, pips, seeds, and roughage like All Bran) is harsh on the inflamed insides and should be limited.  One poster switched from All Bran to Bran Flakes.  Small well cooked, well chewed meals mostly, and moderation in the not such good stuff (I do have the occasional piece of KFC!!).

Ann, your discussion was not directed to me, but may I respectfully suggest a CT scan and/or colonoscopy to rule out some of the conditions you're concerned with? Thereafter, continue to follow the DD blogs at this site. They are very insightful. But the above-mentioned diagnostics come first.