Hi everyone,
I found myself having my first acute Diverticulitis attack exactly two years ago. I ended up in the ER. It just came out of nowhere. My doctor then told me that 95% of all patients will never experience this again. No need to follow any diet etc. Well I guess I am in the 5% corner🙄. Since then I had approximately every 6 months another bad attack, horrible pain chills fever etc.
Flagyl almost kills me so I get Cipra . However I was always healthy and it’s awkward being sick on a on and off basis. It's a bit frustrating that physicians can not really give consistent advice. I believe I have to look for a specialist. I really dread the surgery and try everything to avoid it. Glad to have found this forum... and learning...Thank you all for your time 🙂
Heidi91082 - I was told the same thing from my Dr when I was hospitalized for the Diverticulitis; however, I have heard some many people talk about how they have more than just one attack. I would highly suggest following a good low fiber diet with lots of water and exercise. That is what I have been told on many of the discussion boards here.
It can be very discouraging, but don't let this disease win. Fight through with a good low fiber diet until your gut fills good, then introduce one thing at a time into your diet to see if your tummy can handle it. Stay away from red meat, anything with seeds and broccoli. At least until you feel like you tummy feels really good. i would also keep a ledger of what you eat that upsets your tummy, so you know not to eat it again. Oh and taking a good probiotic is what I hear a lot of people saying. I was told to go to my local nutrition store and ask for a good probiotic with 20 mil. cultures. Good luck and we will pray for you.
I was told by doctor that when you have diverticulitis your chances of having it again is very high! In my case its been over and over and over!
Important question Group: Some say as soon as you feel the twinges to go on clear liquids now my question is would that stop the infection from growing and keep you off antibiotics? And isn't the twinges is because infection is surfing to where you will feel the horrible pain and all its nasty symptoms a few days later ?
I hate Flagyl too the side affects its gives me is horrible! Because of my many allergies to so many antibiotics I take only Bactrim DS 800mg. Are you taking just Cipra.
I too get usually two a year for at least ten years. Usually winter and spring or summer. I have learned to live with it. I won’t get surgery until they become more frequent.
I think certain foods trigger it. Actually a build up of putting too much stress in your intestines. Too much meat, raw veggies, seeds and nuts. I eat mostly ground meat and chicken . If I have a steak it’s a filet only. All carbs are fine for me. I could live in them but do incorporate some meats, fish and poultry.
I have learned though go to recognize symptoms and immediately apply a heating pad on my abdomen and go on liquid for one day then soft low residue foods. If not better in a day or two most I go to doctor and get Cipro and flagyl. Hate them but the they work. God Bless!
OH I forgot to add that is thats another nasty thing about diverticulosis is that how it attacks you can be feeling fine and WHAMM it hits you. YOU never know when it's going to hit.
That is a good question. I would like to know the same thing.... my thought is that it will help reduce the inflammation allowing your colon to rest and allow for recovery; however, I still feel antibiotics would be required if there is infection. Just my thought. hope someone with more experience in this can provide a better suited answer.
I get cipra 1000mg
And isn’t this med the one that supposed to separate your tendances from the bones etc. lovely outlook. 😳
Hi Madeline
Yes I always ate fruits nuts almonds yoghurt etc. lately I sense that yoghurt if any dairy products aren’t good. So I cut that out loved raspberries- having seeds so no more lol. Yep stress seems to be a trigger. Right now I am on chicken broth and juice - need my coffee though
Blessings on your journey
Regarding the meds: The first attack I had I ended up in the hospital on IV of flagyl and cipro which I tolerated ok, but when released on oral meds, the cipro gave me terrible side effects so doc said just use flagyl 500 - which made me miserable for several weeks even after I went off of it. The second flare about 5 years later, my doc said let's try flagyl 250. She said yes, the "recommended" dose was 500 but that was recommended for everyone despite weight, stature, sex, or reaction to meds. It healed me fine, and very few side effects. Fast forward 4 years to most recent attack - new doc who knew I was allergic to cipro so just prescribed flagyl. I told him about the 250, and he said okay to try, but if I wasn't better in two days or was worse, to up it to 500. I recovered quickly from the pain and infection, even though I still had some side effects - mainly anxiety though so I think it was that rather than meds. Just a thought for those of you who have so very much trouble with meds - a lower dosage might help. I stay away completely from nuts, seeds, popcorn.
Yep that is exactly what it does. Nasty disease. Sorry for you having to go through it ...
Wow the urgend care i went around christmas gave me 1000 mg cipro and 1000 mg flagyl ... i am slender and the side effects especially from flagyl was horrible . I researched and decided to discontinue flagyl and thlught thats pretty high dose anyways . Well urgent care did not even wanted to give any advice. Yep i am done with all kind of seeds etc... guess “Gerber “ diet is the way to go🙄
Hi Heidi, I had my first attack four years ago and like you I seem to get them every six months or less. Ended up in hospital a couple of times. As its six months since my last one, I am truly apprehensive, especially as I am going on holiday to Kos in four weeks time. Planning days out, concerts, holidays etc have the shadow of diverticulitis hanging over them. I always take antibiotics with me when I travel away from home, but I worry. What if I have an attack the night before? What if I have an attack on the plane, which has happened, and what if I have an attack abroad, happened last year in Canada. I have tried everything since diagnosis, but it still defeats me. In the UK surgery is the last resort and I certainly would not want it unless I was desperate. The antibiotics are horrible too, they make me feel so ill but a necessary evil. The forum is a wonderful place for advice and support and hopefully, one day the doctors will have more answers.
I agree heidi... This forum is a good place for advice and support. Please don't feel defeated. We are all in this together... I to battle with this disease (newly diagnosed within the past month). I have not had it as long as many people on here, but anything I find out that helps me I will add to this forum in hopes to help others. Good luck on your trips. TO be on the safe side I would eat easy to digest foods to prevent any flairs so you can enjoy your trip. Good luck. praying for you.
Dee YOU went 5 years without an attack??? What the heck you do those years to keep attack at bay!
Does any eat the "Fiber Ones Bars"? I bought two boxes but haven't tried them yet.
Well, if there are nuts in it I would not go for it... Somebody told me MetaMucil is a great fiber supplement. I may try it when this flare healed up.
I was very careful for about 3 years - not eating anything with seeds, no corn, no popcorn, and then I got a little complacent - love strawberries and those didn't seem to bother me, so I went on to okra and corn and nuts then I guess I just got carried away - can't really put my finger on the absolute cause for the second one, It was relatively mild. The last one I had this past Nov. I followed the same pattern, and I really think it was popcorn that got me. It was a little different, as I had pain all over my abdomen and it never localized and also was constipated. I had some 250 mg of flagyl on hand, so I took one that night - the next morning I had BM and some blood, but the pain was gone. Took flagyl for another 10 days. It still played with my mind and I developed extreme anxiety for about a month. I am going to really try to watch what I eat from now on - but I sure do miss the nuts and strawberries!!
Dee, I love strawberries too. This has been a difficult month trying to find out what I an eat and what I can. I feel I am at the point to where I can try new things, but am finding out that my gut is NOT ready for new things yet. It is still healing. When were you able to start eating oatmeal? I love my oatmeal, but was told not to have any yet. I couldn't even eat Cream of Wheat yet. My tummy really turned when I started eating that, then came the mild pain.
Today, I have developed a hernia due to lack of fiber in my diet. I am not regular anymore and am confused as to what I can truly eat now. Any suggestions would be helpful. I just finished my antibiotics earlier this week.
Thank you - Amanda
Dee my last attack was just like yours abdominal cramps all over for like two days maybe 3 before I started antibiotics again for the umpteen! You took just Flagy 250 mugs for 10 days was that 3 times a day or twice a day?