Questions

Hi Albert

You will find this forum a great source of information with lots of suggestions. 

How were you diagnosed?  Were you given a CT scan and/or a Colonoscopy?  The colonoscopy is the definitive method for diagnosis, but is usually done after the infection has cleared. 

Firstly, the way the disease is treated varies, depending where you live.  In the UK you are given 7 days of antibiotics and sent home to get on with it.  In the USA the usual treatment is very much more aggressive.  It seems to be hospital admittance on an antibiotic drip for a few days, then sent home with around two weeks or more antibiotics.  Either way the medication is very strong, with nasty side effects, and makes you feel even lousier.  

Nobody tells you but it takes a long time to get over an attack - weeks or months.  You expect to feel well in a few days and that doesn't happen.  The side effects can linger on for a couple of weeks after the course has finished.  The pain will grumble on for 4 - 6 weeks, or sometimes several months.  This is while your insides heal.  It is very difficult for family, friends and employers to understand and appreciate.  It may not seem like it but you do eventually feel better, unless you have one of the rare complications.

At first you should stick to a clear fluid only diet for a couple of days - broth, tea, black coffee, water, apple juice.  Then you should go on a low residue diet with minimal fibre (it's impossible to eliminate all fibre).  Things like crustless white bread, boiled rice, mashed potato, steamed white fish, scrambled eggs.  I drank meal replacements, but they don't suit everyone.  There are posts here which will give you more ideas on diet.  The idea is to give your bowel a rest.  Advice on how long to stick to this varies - it depends on how you feel.  The doctors may say "eat what you like" - that simply isn't true for most of us.

You can slowly re-introduce small amounts of soluble fibre and see how things go.  I personally make a lot of homemade vegetable soup which I blend until smooth.  It is important to stick to small quantities and drink plenty of water.  Many people keep a food diary and note if certain foods upset them.  I cannot eat gluten/wheat products or full fat - this is what gave me bloating and gas pain.  Others cannot eat red meat, nuts, seeds, popcorn, dairy, certain veggies (gas makers). We are all different and it's very much trial and error to find out our own particular way.

This is a disease for life and is best kept under control by following a healthy diet with soluble fibre, plenty of water, being a healthy weight, exercise (walking or swimming is good - you shouldn't lift or bend whilst still having pain).  Pain can be controlled by Paracetemol (Tylenol) and heat pads.  You shouldn't have aspirin or NSAIDs as they can inflame the intestines.

The article at the front of this forum is very comprehensive and explains Diverticular Disease clearly.  It will take some time to absorb all the information, but I've led a normal active life, played competitive sport and worked with this for 17 years.  Best wishes

Albert, are you still on antibortics?

Albert, DD seems to manifest itself differently in different people. I cannot overemphasize how useful this blog has been to me in living with my DD. It has given me more insight into the condition than even my doctor. So, my first recommendation would be to continue to participate in this blog. Otherwise, I strive to drink a lot of water, meaning at least 8 glasses/day. Also, I found long ago that alcohol irritates the condition, so I drink no alcohol. Otherwise, I tend to avoid crunchy, spicy foods, and lean more to soft foods like fruit smoothies, yogurts, oatmeal, and the like. Best of luck to you.