I have just completed 17 days of flagyl and cipro for diverticulitis flare-up. I am in pain!!so disappointed and now have to take part in some stressful times..I am very afraid to introduce more fiber; daily, have been having 1/2 cup oatmeal porridge and 1 tbsp of fibrous well-cooked veggies as well as my staples of soft fish and avocados, protein drink and carrot juice and 1 or 2 soda crackers...only water and herbal teas....am I missing something? Can ANYONE help. I am very concerned about doctor visit tomorrow and the fact that no one realizes the pain and social resttrictions on this. My bms are now fairly normal, once a day, painful in lower left just before them and then gnawing pain continually after....what is to become of this? Can you advise...ANYTHING!

Mrs. Fudd, Sorry to hear you are still in pain and glad that you are going to doc tomorrow...colon-rectal specialist (I hope)! Diverticulitis is VERY painful and it sounds like you are in a chronic flare up. When in a flare up you want to avoid fish as it causes gas which causes more pain. Avocados contain a lot of fat which also cause gas so you might want to lay off of them for a while too. I would discuss possibly some IV antibiodics for the flare up. And, if the IV antibiodics don't work, then you probably know what the next step is likely to be....but you may be to the point that surgery is better than the constantly suffering. And yes, social restrictions are great when in a flare up...and even when not because you never know what's going to trigger one, thus it's constant paranoia. I'll be thinking about you tomorrow and please let us know what you find out! Cathy

Thanks Cathy..the appt tomorrow is with GP, appt with gastroenterologist is April 8 (set up some time back) and I am enquiring about colorectal tomorrow, There are Big waiting times here to see specialists...I feel your empathy and appreciate your being onboard. yes, I'm beginning to face possibilities..thanks for being there..Lois

Mrs. Fudd, I too am in a flare up so can appreciate what you are going through. I am doing the Flagyl and Cipro right now and am struggling in knowing what to eat during these flare ups. I don't know what caused this last one and find that very scary because I don't know what to avoid.
Am interested in knowing what you find out from the Doctor.
Lori

so good to hear from you and meet a fellow sufferer, although I'm sorry you're hurting too. It IS scary...I will let you know re appt but don't see what can be advised except more antibiotics to make it to specialist appt. I am going to ask about IV antibiotic, colorectal reference as Cathy recommends. I have modulon and buscopan on hand for pain but can't get past the possible side effects....anyone else on either of these?

Gomer4,

Can certainly appreciate the "struggling in knowing what to eat during these fare ups".

We went through this many times with husband...The following is what we were told:

During 1st couple of days of flare ups, complete liquid diet in order to give colon a rest. (Also bed rest is recommended.)

Foods that are gaseous may need to be avoided during the flare ups. Foods often associated with gas and odor production:
Milk, beer, cabbage and chinese vegetables, green pepper, broccoli and cauliflower,
eggs, mustard, brussel sprouts, asparagus, carbonated beverages, dried beans and
peas, onions and garlic, cucumber and pickles, radish, fish, highly spiced foods,
melon and fatty foods

Examples of a "Low Residue Diet" include:

Refinded bread products: white bread, bagels, rice, grits, cooked cereal, pasta.

Well cooked vegetables: Avoid corn, dried beans and legumes. (Canned vegetables will be lower in fiber.)

Cooked, fresh or canned peeled fruits. Applesauce. Do not eat strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and other fruits with seeds.

Limit dairy to 2 servings: milk, cheese, yogurt, buttermilk, cottage cheese.

All well trimmed meats, chicken and turkey. Avoid tougher cuts of meat with connective tissue.

Fats: Use sparingly. Oils, butter, margarine; most salad dressings. Avoid nuts and seeds.

Snacks: Avoid popcorn.

Sweets: Avoid those containing nuts. Count custards, ice cream and other milk based desserts as part of daily allowance.

Other suggestions:

Avoid eating meats and shellfish having tough connective tissue.
Limit your intake of milk and milk products to 2 cups a day.
Avoid eating raw fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Well cooked vegetables and fruits are better tolerated. Juices (except prune) are acceptable. Buy those without added pulp.
5-6 small meals a day may be better tolerated.
Chew your food well before swallowing. Do not rush through meals.
Drink plenty of fluids.
Avoid eating spicy foods.


(As you can see, there are some contradictions such as with the milk. One source said to avoid milk while the other said to limit milk. It's things like that that will drive you nuts!)

For husband's last bout with the diverticulitis (before surgery), he was sent home from the hospital after given IV antibiodics with instructions to take Citracel every day until surgery. The citracel was very well tolerated and helped enormously with bowel movements even though his bowel was almost completely blocked from the many flare ups he had.

Bed rest, antibiodics, proper diet with citracel along with a bowel relaxer such as Levid or Bentyl is the key to recovering from a flare up.

My thoughts are with you also. Those who have had or have diverticulitis (and their spouses :)) know what you are going through!

Cathy

Cathy, that was very helpful. I have had questions about what was a "low residue" diet. Do you think it matters if the Citracel is in pill form or powder?

Another question, Cathy, (you seem to know alot about this).........I am afraid that eating the low residue diet will constipate me. Did this happen to your husband?

Gomer,

I would take the Citracel in power because you mix it yourself, of course, with water. I'd just be afraid that a pill followed by water might not get you the consistency you want.

When husband was in last and worse flare up of all, the doc sent him home from the hospital with low residue diet and instructions to take the Citracel....NO PROBLEMS AT ALL with constipation...had the best bms he had in a long, long time even with colon that was almost completely blocked. Doc also told him to take Colace (stool softener over counter) also but he found that the Colace cramped him and just used the Citracel.

Good luck and if I can answer any more questions, just holler! Cathy

I really appreciate all the info. I think I have had these "attacks" for the last couple of years, but would just suffer and eventually get better. I really wonder how much damage I did. Finally went, had CT scan, colonoscopy, w/ diagnosis of "extensive divitulosis". How has your husbands resection turned out? Is he feeling alot better?

I think I am going to have alot more question. How do I holler to you on here?

Thanks.....Lori

Lori,

"Extensive diverticulosis" is what husband was diagnosed with in 1999. It was suggested to him that he have the resection at that time. He had flare ups on and off for the next several years. In August of 2003 he was running for political office and had a major flare up. There's nothing any more stressful than a political campaign and that didn't help matters at all. He had to pull out of the race because he was physically exhausted from the diverticulitis that wouldn't clear up. He had another colonoscopy in October of 2003 at which time it was discovered that he had a mass in his colon due to all of the flare ups. He was sent to the hospital to get IV antibiodics for 4 days and then sent home for another 6 weeks with homebound nurses coming every day with IV antibiodics. They were trying to clear the infection before he had the resection surgery.

To make a long story short, the infection wasn't completely cleared and would never clear...resection surgery performed November of 2003 and 3 days later bowel perforated at reconnection site. Emergency surgery with colostomy performed that third day because of the peritinitis. In intensive care for 11 days not knowing if he was going to make it. He's fine now and we just got back from doc today and scheduled the colostomy closure for next month. In his case with the peritinitis, surgeon wanted to wait longer than usual for reconnection...then in August of 2004 when set up for reconnection, urologist was called in to put stints in the tubes between the bladder and kidneys so the colon surgeon wouldn't accidently snip them. The urologist was to do her stints and the colon surgeon was to come in right behind her and do the reconnection. The urologist did a cystocope before inserting the stints and discovered a tiny malignant bladder tumor. The colon surgery was cancelled that day, but now it's back on because bladder is doing great! The reason I'm telling you this is to explain the delay of closing the colostomy..bladder problem no big deal and guess it was a blessing that everything happened like it did to catch the tumor when it was so tiny. The colostomy is NO BIG DEAL either and he's really enjoyed eating anything and everything he wants to! Since he got out of the hospital in November of 2003 he has absolutely had no flare ups whatsoever as all of his diverticulosis was cut out.

We have friends who have had major diverticulitis flare ups and they all told husband (just as gp told him years ago) to take a fibre supplement every day, without fail. He did good when taking the metamucil or citracell but being the "macho" man is he, he would fall off the wagon from time to time and had been off the wagon (fibre) for about 4 months when that last big flare up happened.

I stress the fibre because the idea is to keep the bowels consistent...not too loose or too hard. This helps keep the food particles out of the pouches which causes the infection. Constipation is very bad as it causes pressure and forces feces into the pouches...diahreah not good either....that's why daily fibre is so important.

If you find you are being recommended for having surgery, please don't let husband's case scare you....he was a bull headed man who just waited too long to have his surgery. In his case, when the bowels are infected they are "mushy" and it's hard to reconnect properly. Also, a factor I believe is that we had a general surgeon who performed the first surgery... Long story, but a mistake in not going to a colon-rectal surgeon to begin with. Colon-rectal doc probably would have put a colostomy during the 1st surgery due to the major infection that hadn't cleared. Please, if you don't have a colon-rectal doc already, ask around and find one now. They will treat you when in a flare up...not just operate.

While in surgeon's office today, got sample of another fibre you might want to try. It's called Konsyl Easy Mix. It has no flavor, can be mixed with water or juices, and has no sugar or sugar substitutes. It does come in an orange variety also. On the trial pack it lists just about all major pharmacies as carrying it. I didn't see Wal-Mart however, but just about any other pharmacy you could name.

Glad you had the tests done...that's the first major step. Our gp told us years ago that with each flare up the colon narrows from scar tissue...thus the mass that was formed in husband's colon. Any time you have a flare up, get your but (pun, I know) to the doc for some antiodics. As I'm sure you have learned by now, diverticulitis is not something to play with!

Hope you feel better real soon. I usually check the board at least once a day so any questions you have, please feel free to ask..you can start a thread on diverticulitis if needed too...there are some others who have been there and done that!

Mrs. Fudd,

O'kay, I'm sitting here trying to be patient....what did the doc say today????

Cathy

Cathy,

Am I allowed to ask how old your husband was when this all started? I am 41, figure I have had attacks of this for at least 5 years without dealing with it. I wonder how I can deal with this for the rest of my life without doing something about it.

When I asked the doctors nurse, who was talking to me during the followup of the colonoscopy, she made it sound like he didn't do resections like this routinely. I thought maybe while I was younger and able to recuperate easier from surgery I should have something done.

Thanks again for all your help...........Lori

Cathy, you are a gem and a wondrous partner/wife ...I am so grateful to have my husband through this trial and know how much this helps. I'd have been here sooner but have zonked out for a solid 8 hours...something I haven't done in a long time. I went into the doctor with a list of questions. She is a good head...very intelligent, logical and focussed and honest....shared info and manuals and drug info..So, toward seeing the gastro guy on Apr 8th, she recommended we try to get the colon out of spasm, to relax it and this enable recovery...she thinks the infection is not so much the problem now as is the spasming precipated by the IBS. The ultrasound and xray came back clear....no masses...no abcesses! YES! The colonoscopy(last year) shows moderate diverticulosis in sigmoid colon...so she wants to see what GI has to say, to wait for colorectal guy and in the meantime gave me , wait for it, ZELNORM. I was reluctant but trust her, so took 1 dose last evening. WELL, diarrhea within 1 hour, nausea, dopey, funny headache and exhausted....pain acute...to bed...slept soundly and awoke to much decreased pain this am..SO..am encouraged, on my own judgement, cutting dose in half and we'll see...So, Gomer, I had forgotten in this pain, that IBS is a complication during diverticulitis attack...something to check out. I know I'm not out of the woods, but GAWD..it is nice to have less pain...could be a tradeoff for drug side effects..I'll ride it out for a few days and see. I want you all to know I went into my appt in the company of you all..thank you..off to buy citracel and reintroduce CRUCIAL fiber. Isn't it interesting that we are doing our own groundwork to healing? Thanks for "being" Cathy............Mrs Fudd

I don't think I have IBS.........how would I know.

Gomer...there is a forum on these boards for IBS the address is www.healthboards.com/boards/forumdispaly.php?F=77........
Also, if you search for Irritable Bowel Syndrome, on the web, there is a wealth of info. OR ask doctor if you fit the diagnosis. In a rush but will get back...Also, Cathy, would like to know your day of closure..

Mrs. Fudd,

Fantastic news about your tests! :bouncing: And yes, fibre is the key....religiously, every day, without fail! :) I'll try to be patient about the colon specialist...but don't hesitate for a minute to go on your own if you're not completely satisfied about how you're progressing! I bet that sleep was WONDERFUL!

Husband's closure will be between April 12th and 19th. The girl who schedules the urologist's surgery was out today so the colon doc's office will coordinate the actual surgery date Monday. As I have an income tax service, I'm kind of hoping for the 19th! :)

Take care,
Cathy

Lori,

Husband is now 55 and was "officially" diagnosed with diverticulitis when he was 49. Our GP had told us that's what he thought he had when he was 44...and suggested he do a colonoscopy then...and you know men...our GP INSISTED he have one in 1999 and thus the "official" diagnosis.

From the research I've done, the younger the person is with diverticulitis, the more aggressive the treatment. In 1999 the gastro doc who did the colonoscopy found "extensive diverticulitis" and suggested he have the surgery then...not wait til it was an emergency surgery and/or later in life. The doc told him it would be a lot easier to have the surgery then. Husband balked at the idea so we just kind of "hit and missed" at treating his flare ups. There again, he didn't take his fibre every day, without fail...and the sucker would sneak and eat pecans when they started falling in September of each year (he now tells me)....and many of the flare ups were full blown in November and December. Also, not uncommon for that time of year they say as you tend to eat more with the holidays, and overeating is another no no with diverticulitis! Colostomy nurse told us she sees a lot of new patients in November and December each year because of the holidays meals!

The general surgeon in 2003 who did the first resection told us that his firm now recommends the resection after 2 flare ups..."because if you have 2 you are going to have 3, then 4, etc..." We didn't do the surgery based on that...it was a necessity at that point because of the many, many, many flare ups causing the mass.

We now beg people now who have diverticulitis to find a colon-rectal specialist who can help guide you so you won't find yourself in husband's condition...

Take care,
Cathy

Mrs. Fudd,

Forgot to put in my last post....Maybe you need to rename your thread to "encouraged" ??!!??!!

Cathy

Yes, Cathy, "encouraged" is the word and" hope" is the other... but it IS a tradeoff as I am experiencing some side effects. I' m pllaying with this drug...pharmacist says the reactions are extremely varied and results can be confusing..SOOOO trying to be aware through this drug-induced fogginess. Ther are a lot of warnings from users of Zelnorm. The pain is much less...almost gone!! So is the diarrhea...so will see what THIS day brings. We've had an accident in the family and early death of a young father...so off to the mainland for a few days...I want you to know I'm gathering info and names of colorectal guys and this is very much in the mix. You made me think I should post another thread, more positive...will try..
Your April date is in my consciousness...I well recall those tasty li'l devil-pecans..

Hi Gomer...I am back into checking out IBS and realize the program and approach is helpful for diverticulitis too...they certainly can go hand in hand. I've been finding a wealth of info on the web and recommend you check the "eating for ibs' info there. thinking of you...

thanks.......I will check out the IBS and eating patterns.............

Cathy, was wondering, is it common to see blood on the stools during a flare up?

Lori,

A couple of gastro docs along the way told us it was NOT common to have bleeding and/or blood on the stools, but husband definately did. Have since learned that the tissue in the lining of the colon is the same type tissue as in the mouth and easily bleeds when infected or scraped so it makes sense that bleeding can occur, especially with flare ups.

Cathy

It's funny you mention that the tissue is like that inside the mouth. When I saw pictures from my first colonoscopy, that is all I could think........that it looked like the inside of the mouth.

I'll just be glad when I feel all the way better. I think I have come around the corner, and am feeling somewhat back to normal, but still have some pain.....I think it is when stool passes those spots it is the worse.

Lori

Lori,

So glad you are beginning to feel better!

After a flare up husband would often describe lingering pain and he also thought it was due to the stool passing the diverticulitis spots which were still tender...so you are probably right on target!

Hang in there and MAKE SURE you take your fiber every day and drink plenty of water!

Cathy

Hi everyone,

I am trying to get some help for my Mom. She was diagnosed a few months ago with diverticulosis. She was not given a special diet, I don't know why. She is 82, and otherwise in good health, except for pretty severe depression. The depresson causes her to have no appetite, except that the things she does eat are not healthy in my opinion. Lots of chocolate, (and I mean LOTS), coffee, and sometimes 2 or 3 bottles of Ensure a day. She sometimes eats a banana to take a pill with. She gets NO fiber, NO protein, and I'm afraid of what this diet is doing to her. Friday her stomach and bowel were bothering her all day. She said she felt a pressure in her rectum and had a few bm's, but continued to feel like she had to go. Is that pressure a symptoms of diverticulosis? About 10pm I had her call her Doctor. He called back and said she should go to the ER and get her checked out, which we did. What a horrendous experience. All the gangs have been fighting (inner city hospital) and the victims are in the ER, and half the police force. After about 3 hours in the waiting room, they took her into the examining rooms. Two hours later someone comes out and tells me that the Doctor will be seeing her soon. I assumed she meant with the results, WRONG. So I went to see her, and she had not even been seen by a Doctor after almost 6 hours! Finally the Doctor shows and takes urine, blood. When he presses on her left abdomen it hurts and they have her drink barium for a ct scan. The results of all this showed nothing serious. The urine test showed the "beginning of a UTI", so they prescribed Cipro, which my Mom took as soon as we got home and she immediately threw up. She is still having sensitivity in the stomach and pressure feeling in the rectum. When I told the Doctor in the ER about my Mom's poor diet, she told my Mom that she should get fiber into her diet.
While in the ER, my Mother promised me that she would change her diet because she never wanted to be in the ER again. Well, as soon as we get home, I suggest she have some mild chicken soup and she resists. Her depression kicks in again. I am sorry for this long post, but I am at a loss of what to do for her. I am going to take her to her GP asap, but if this depression/diet thing doesn't improve...I'm afraid of the consequences.
Can anyone relate to this? Offer suggestions?
Thank you,
Kevin

I am sorry you have this problem...dealing with moms in their 80s can be a challenge...very set in ways and not too hopeful. I do know the majority of peoplein their 80s have some degree of diverticulosis. I would address the depression first...have you a naturopath in the area...a good one will look at the whole person and will be more generally helpful at this stage. I suggest capsules of the herb St Johnswort (health foodstore or drugstore) and a healthy powdered drink (there are ones at the health food store geared to the intestines.....IBS or Revitalax in Canada) These will have a nonaddictive bm helper as well as nourishment for the body and that area especially...mashed yams, avocado, turnips, carrots all have some fiber,,,also brown rice. I am sure there is a wealth of suffestions from a good naturopath as well...ps..valerian capsules help relax her and the area too..
wishing you well and hoping for improvement....

I am sorry you have this problem...dealing with moms in their 80s can be a challenge...very set in ways and not too hopeful. I do know the majority of peoplein their 80s have some degree of diverticulosis. I would address the depression first...have you a naturopath in the area...a good one will look at the whole person and will be more generally helpful at this stage. I suggest capsules of the herb St Johnswort (health foodstore or drugstore) and a healthy powdered drink (there are ones at the health food store geared to the intestines.....IBS or Revitalax in Canada) These will have a nonaddictive bm helper as well as nourishment for the body and that area especially...mashed yams, avocado, turnips, carrots all have some fiber,,,also brown rice. I am sure there is a wealth of suffestions from a good naturopath as well...ps..valerian capsules help relax her and the area too..
wishing you well and hoping for improvement....

Thank you for your suggestions. She is seeing someone for the depression. She has Metamucil but forgets to take it. I am going to see her doctor with her tomorrow and will discuss all this with him. Wishing you the best.
Kevin