Newly diagnosed

Digestive health
1

Hi ive been recently diagnosed with diverticular disease and i am currently having an attack of diverticulitis.

Should i be eating a high fibre diet right now? Is it good to take a fibre supplement? And does anyone have any tips for trying to avoid future attacks?

Thanks

2

Have you been advised to eat fibre? I was diagnosed two years ago and got a pamphlet advising me to eat fibre. This advice was the same as the recommendations we used to give to patients when I trained as a nurse in the sixties.I have always eaten veg and fruit and found this advice unhelpful to say the least. My own GP said new research has shown that we should avoid foods which have been stored or dried  This includes rice, pasta and cereals. That seemed more sensible as since then I have found that rice sets me off a day or two after eating it  and i can not really toletate too much roughage in the form of leafy veg or corn kernals. My diet is pretty bland these days. Trial and error I'm afraid. Hope this helps . Evelyn

3

Thank you, yes a high fibre diet was suggested. I was thinking of taking fibre supplements. Im on antibiotics at the min but pain was subsiding then flared up badly yesterday. I think it must have been something i ate.

Thanks for your reply

4

Hi I was advised to drink clear fluids when I have an infection for a few days then go on a soft diet for a few more days. Also low fibre until it had subsided then go back on the high fibre. It's all do confusing to start with but the best thing I was advised was to keep a food diary to see if you can tell what are your trigger foods as everybody is so different. Hope you soon feel better x

5

Thank you, yes its really confusing! Im struggling to know what to eat!

I will try the food diary thats a good idea thanks

6

Easily digestable foods and clear liquids when having an attack then slowly introduce more fiber foods when feeling better,then high fiber and lots of water to keep things moving.Lepicol a high fiber supplement when you are better is very good from Holland and Barrett that includes a probiotic.Hope you feel better soon.

7

Thank you things seem a bit more clearer now

8

If you are having an attack you should be eating a soft diet i.e. white bread, soups, scrambled eggs etc. and paracetmol for pain. Once the attack is over gradually eat more fibre. The aim is not to get constipated. I find if I drink a glass of prune juice and dried prunes this keeps me regular. Somebody advised on here to take Ultra Maximum acidophilus from Holland and Barrett which I have been doing for the past two months and it has made a big difference, so I would recommend that you take one of these a day. Hope this helps

9

Thank you so much thats great help

10

When having an attack you should go on a liquid diet then gradually began to eat solid foods and add fiber. The intestines must rest during this time. Take probiotics to restore the good bacteria. Its good to take probiotics everyday and aloe vera juice. This soothes the intestines and help prevent future flare ups. You must keep a food diary of the foods that you can and can not tolerate because everyone is different when it comes to solid foods. Hope this was a help.

11

Thank you for the help

12

When the attack first start you should mainly be on clear liquids, for instance ginger ale, tea, to name a few. You should consult with your doctor. Besides you should be taking the antibiotic as well. You have to give that area a time to rest and heal. I am just getting over this and returning to work tomorrow.

13

Thanks for the help, how long have you been off work?

14

If you can stand the pain I would hold off on any painkillers. My very first attack of diverticulitis started after having to take painkillers (including paracetomol) for 2 weeks after a motorbike accident. I found a paper from 2 gastro consultants at Dundee saying NSAIDS and paracetomol can provoke attacks. Aloe vera juice can help with inflammation. Are you taking an antibiotic? Beware of fluoroquinolones like Cipro - they can have very nasty side effects. Any antibiotic will destroy the good bacteria so a probiotic is essential.

15

Thanks for reply, the pain is managable today so no pain killers, ive started taking probiotics too. The advice here is great!

16

I was told to avoid aloe Vera juice as that can be an irritant. Strange how Drs can't even agree on what's best for us sufferers x

17

I agree its confusing!

18

I have very little faith in doctors. They have no idea most of the time about how the drugs they dish out work or how they can devastate people with their side effects. My gastro says that it is a myth that pips, nuts seeds etc bring on attacks but every single flare up I have had has been after indulging in seedy fruits. They know zilch about nutrition and swallow what the drug reps tell them.

19

I have been out all week and returning tomorrow. Thank goodness that issue has subsided I'm no good to this type of pain. I think all the advises on this site are good ones. I thankful to have people here who can relate and also share there experience.

20

Hi Alison; looks like you have all the advice you need in your replies....it took me YEARS to find out what to do!! Liquid and/or low fibre when ill.  Only high fibre when out of pain and back to normal.  Do take an Acidophilis 20 billion tablet a day from Holland and Barrett (UK) - keep in fridge.  These are amazing; and have kept my regular flare ups away since last July ever since I started taking one a day!!!  I had been ill more than I was well before this.  Do not eat seeds; nuts; pips; skins - and that includes dried fruits which have dried pips and skins; and also the centre part of bananas.  Try spices with caution; and try the windy veg like onions; cabbage and broccoli with caution.  Hope you are soon feeling better.