Recently diagnosed with diverticulitis- advice on fybogel and how to not get ill again! :)

Unfortunately it does take a while, my episode was 5 weeks from start to finish. I am drinking more water and taking a probiotic daily which my doctor recommened to help digestive tract get healthy again. If I am constipated I take a stool softener for a day or 2 and that helps. I am back to my normal diet but not eating nuts, whole seeds, corn or raw vegetables for now.

Hello Linda,

Thanks for your reply.

Can I ask what stool softener you use?

I just worry there's something wrong as I'm still constipated.

I've had two weeks of acidophilus tablets now. I might try the aloe Vera juice xx

Is nutbutters okay? I been eating organic almond butter on bread ? When you all say nuts do you mean the actual nut itself? 

I would keep taking the acidophilus. I just buy the generic brand of stool softener.

Hi Katie

I too am a Slimming World Diverticular Disease sufferer.  I actually got in touch with Slimming World and asked.  This is the bit of their reply  that might help, and any other SW sufferers.

"When you’re managing an attack of your diverticular disease it’s important to continue to follow any advice you’ve received from your healthcare team. We understand from your email you need to follow a low fibre diet during these times. We have some information around low fibre diets which you may find useful with adapting Food Optimising to help keep the plan flexible for you.

Although it requires a little more thought, especially around the Healthy Extra ‘b’ choice, achieving a low-fibre diet when Food Optimising is possible. The Healthy Extra ‘b’ choice is included within the plan to support members with getting a healthy amount of fibre each day and contributing towards the recommended intake of 30g fibre daily. As you’ve been advised to follow a low-fibre diet, you may want to avoid these fibre-rich choices, but there are steps you can take to make sure that you don’t feel limited within the plan, or are denied choices. For instance, you can have the same measure of a low-fibre Healthy Extra alternative such as low-fibre (ie white) bread or a low-fibre cereal (e.g. cornflakes or rice crispies).

However, it’s important to be aware that:

•             These low-fibre options are not as filling and don’t have the same health benefits as the high-fibre Healthy Extras.

•             To protect your weight loss it’s important to stick to the same measure as a standard Healthy Extra.

•             It’s up to you whether you want to choose to have these every day or at all – the aim is just to give more flexibility.

 Fruit and vegetables also need to be considered when following a low-fibre diet. Removing the skin or peel is one way to reduce the fibre in fruit and vegetables, as this is where most of the fibre is. Cooking fruit and vegetables will also make the remaining fibre easier to digest. Cooked fruit isn’t Free within the plan because it loses its filling power and becomes much easier to overeat. However, as long as you are consuming the fruit in the same proportions as if you were eating whole, uncooked fruit (eg one apple at a time), it is fine for you to do this without counting it as Syns, if this is the only way you can tolerate fruit. Cooked fruit as a snack is still far better than chocolate or crisps.

We hope this general information is useful to you. We are unable to give specific advice on individual medical conditions and we always recommend that members discuss their medical and any dietary needs with their Doctor or Dietitian. Should they suggest any specific dietary requirements this should be able to be easily incorporated into Food Optimising."

In other words you don't need to stick religiously to the plan, although it may slow down your weight loss.  Or if you are stuck on the loo all day, that might not be the problem!!  I always drink more water after the runs, to prevent dehydration and constipation.

I use Fybogel every morning as a stool softener, plus occasionally in the evening if I don't think I'm emptying properly.  A couple of times a month I have resorted to good old fashioned Ex-Lax (don't know the SYN value!! lol)

So I'm sticking with SW as I need to lose several stone.  I wonder if sufferers who have lost weight and kept it off have found their symptoms and flares reduced - can't recall seeing any comments about that.

 

Hello Felinia!

Thank you so so much for your helpful reply!

I've lost nearly 4 stone with slimming world and have 2 to lose. My diverticulitis journey started over Christmas when I was eating Bran flakes every day and at least 2 hifi bars a day too.

I'm wondering if too much fibre has done this too me? Since this whole ordeal started I've only lost 2lbs which is unbelievable really.

I never had this problem when I was fat and ate like crap lol! Xx

Have you ever gone a couple of days and no bowel movement?

No never.

I didn't go the day it was the worst, when I started the antibiotics. Then I was going at least once a day but it's really hard work. Tmi I'm sorry! Xx

I know what you mean!!!!  At least it tells me that losing weight is not going to help my DD either!!!!!  I'm struggling to lose as well since I can't have the recommended healthy b). 

Incidentally if you were having both Bran Flakes and Hi-Fi, that's two healthy b) per day (I hope you counted one set as SYNs), so it could be too much for your inner workings in their current state.

Hi, Yes I obviously syn'd The hi fis.

I had weigh in this morning and half lost 1.5lb in last two weeks. Which is better than a gain anywho xx

Have them to do ct scan with contrast so you know for sure

How much magnesium did he say take a day that fiber drinks tear me up too!