Second flare up in 3 weeks

Posted , 7 users are following.

So I had to see a doctor as an urgent appointment today having had severe pain in lower left abdomen for around 3 days now. Only finished a course of Metranidazole recently and although I was still sore, I thought the flare up was over.

I've been in bed 2 days as moving about is both exhausting and pain makes me feel nauseous. This time I've been given Co-Amoxiclav and after taking first dose, I feel slightly better. This condition is so scary as when you get a flare up, you literally have to rest. Doctor said if the pain gets worse or antibiotics don't improve things, then it's a matter for hospital. What do people think are best fibre supplements? At present, I don't take anything. Thanks x

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Posted

    Quite honestly I would stick with a liquid or low residue diet for a day or two, then go low fibre and work up to normal as you begin to feel better.
  • Posted

    I'm new to this myself' as the lady says i would stick Diet. if it gets worse you must go to hospital

  • Posted

    At the moment liquid only untill pain is gone and then just soup and plain food and lots and lots of water
  • Posted

    I agree with the others that you should stick to liquid only and no fibre whilst you are in a flare up.  Then slowly introduce small amounts of easily digestible food like soup, yogurt.  As for fibre supplements, it depends where you live.  I am UK based and my GP prescribes Fybogel, which is orange flavoured psyllium husk powder which you mix with a large glass of water and get down quickly before it starts to thicken and turn into slime.  It will bulk and soften your stool and make it easier to pass.  I take it twice a day.  Others take is once a day.  In the USA the brand name is Metamucil.  It works for me but not for everyone, for example others who have additional bowel problems.  I do not take it whilst on medication, but wait until the flare subsides.  Best wishes for a quick recovery
    • Posted

      Hi Felinia, thanks for your reply.I'm in UK too and once I've recovered from this flare up, I will get myself some Fybogel. Just having clear fluids currently and going to start recording a food diary just to monitor things in case of another flare up. I've recently had a bereavement and think that's why I'm having this current one. Best wishes for good health xx

  • Posted

    You cannot take fiber supplements while you have diverticulitis and must be on a low residue (fiber) diet until the colon is healed, usually takes a few weeks, in my case 5 weeks then slowly introduce fiber back into the system.
  • Posted

    Actually, I have tried to eliminate or eat very little insoluble fiber as I honestly believe it has caused flares.  Soluble fiber doesn't seem to cause any problems.  However, upon the advice of my gastro doc, I take a dose of Miralax everyday.  I have been flare free and pain free for over a year.  May not work for everyone as we are all different, but it works beautifully for me. 

  • Posted

    I had no idea I had a condition until Jan 2nd this year when I was rushed to hospital where I stayed for 17 days. So I'm very new and learning about the condition... However I have learnt that with a flare up you switch to fluid only then moving to a low residue diet...This week I have just started to introduce fibre back into my diet and will have to wait and see what develops in the future...I have read lots of advice ...I've started a food diary in the hope that if I have a flare up I can try to detect what triggers it .

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