Diverticulitis. Anyone here have it?

[Bill Hicks]

I was finally diagnosed after a few years of suffering as having Diverticulitis following a colonoscopy last summer.
I've had attacks every month or two for the past few years, some needeing time off work and some just a pain in the arse, and I was wondering if anyone else has it?
If so are there any dietary recommendations or routines that have worked for them?
Also are there any ways to alleviate this diesease long term inc surgery?

I know threads regarding health matters are frowned upon here but talking about diet etc can be very useful for anyone who has to suffer this problematic diesease.

Thanks.

 

[Deleted member 293381]

I've had it for years and suffered two major painful bouts which required a visit to a specialist and a camera 'inserted'.

After much experimentation I found red meat and pastry tend to cause problems, so I try to stay clear of those. I was told to stay clear of foods with small pips, like tomatoes, but they don't cause me problems. What I do recommend is a bowl of high fibre cereal every day - that tends to 'clear' the intestines and keep the er... erm... stools soft.

There's no cure for Diverticulitis, it just needs managing.

Oh yeah - try not to over-eat, moderation is key. Haven't had a bout for about 2 years now but I treat this disease with a great deal of respect!!

 

[RicksonGracie1972]

One famous sufferer is Brock Lesnar, the former UFC HW Champion. He's now back doing fake wrestling for the WWE/WWF or whatever they are called. Anyway might be worth googling him as I think there were some documentaries made about him recovering from this.

 

[Steve N]

Haven't had a bout for about 2 years now.....

Roughly how long does a bout last?

 

[Deleted member 293381]

Roughly how long does a bout last?

Varies greatly in strength and duration because the pain is caused by infection, swelling and restriction when particles of food get trapped in the little 'pockets'. This in turn causes fever.

What I do when I feel the precursor (strange feeling on the lower left side of the abdomen) to a bout is immediately take a couple of Nurofen which cuts back or stops the swelling and relaxes the intestinal restriction. This works for me but might not be recommended or work for other people.

 

[Bill Hicks]

For me a bad one can last 5-7 days. 3 years ago I had an attack that put me in hospital for a few days on IV antibiotics. I have it at the moment, had an attack the week before last after eating some Malaysian food, now it's come back again. Bowel cramps, wind, not able to pass anything properly and with the associated pain in my lower left hand side and slight fever due to the infection. I've been fasting for 2 days now but I have to admit yesterday I was feeling sick with hunger and I had a white bread sandwich at work.
It started on Tuesday after I had a homemade banana, raspberry & blackcurrant smoothie. It was full of tiny pips that has probably kicked this attack in. Weird thing is that online some doctors recommend avoiding nuts and anything with pips or seeds but other doctors say that is exactly what Diverticulitis sufferers should eat due to their high fibre content. All I know is this is now beginning to get me down as I'm having more frequent attacks of it.
I was told by a Dr that surgery is an option for acute sufferers as they can remove the lower bowl or part of it where the Diverticula are. Drastic as it's a fairly serious operation.

 

[Deleted member 293381]

I strongly recommend high fibre food every day. It softens the stools and enables the intestinal movement (squeezing and relaxing) to take place naturally. IMO it's this squeezing and relaxing which helps to eject trapped food in the 'pockets'.

Forgot to mention exercise. I walk every day and spend no more than two hours sitting before I get up and walk around the lounge for a bit, moving my upper body side to side while walking about. Makes our friends laugh but they know what its about so its friendly!