Diverticulitis

Juliakate

Hello, everyone.  I have been reading through the various chats re diverticulitis with interest.  Thank you for this forum. I was diagnosed with it about 2 years ago, I also have IBS. I had a flare up just before Christmas and have really tried getting to grips with my diet, but it's difficult managing both conditions, they don't always walk hand in hand. I'm feeling twinges of its return and wonder how quickly people switch to the liquid diet to, hopefully, pull it back to some semblance of manageability? Like others before me, I'm frightened of the pain and I also get blood in my urine. I have a daughter with medical conditions and my anxiety levels go through the roof, if I'm out of action. I do have a partner, but it's very hard if you can't share the care. I know everyone is different,  but it would be helpful to read what others do re food management.  Thanks all.

L_Volunteer

Hello @Juliakate. It is great to see you have joined us. How are you at the moment? 

Thanks for already finding the courage to reach out to us. I appreciate how much courage it can take to reach out, especially when you are new and finding things difficult. 

I can hear how difficult it is trying to manage both conditions, especially as they don't always walk hand in hand. 

Have you got access to a dietician? I feel like a dietician would be best placed to support you with managing your health through a diet since they can provide personalised advice.

It sounds really frightening for you - especially the pain and blood in your urine. We are here for you and listening to you.

Hopefully, our wonderful community who have lived experience with this will be able to respond to you soon. 

In the meantime, I mainly wanted to respond to you to greet you, let you know I have heard and seen your post and provide some broad advice.

Take care for now and we will look forward to, hopefully, hearing from you again soon 

Juliakate

Thank you for that message. I have spoken to my gp this morning and asked to be referred to a dietician. In the meantime I have decided to do one more day of the liquid diet and will then try to introduce some bland, low fibre foods, as until the dietician can see me - the doctor says it is just a matter of trial and error. That is a scary prospect and potentially disabling. Finger's crossed the inflammation will have gone down. Thanks again, for responding.

In the meantime if anyone has a food re-introduction schedule that they use, I'd be grateful for suggestions, I realise it might not work for me, but you may have suggestions that I haven't thought of and maybe they will work for me. Who knows. Thank you in advance everybody.

Hannah_Alumni

Hello @Juliakate

I'm so sorry you are having a flare up but glad to hear you've been referred to the dietician, I hope that comes through soon! 

I have IBD and was recommended the Low FODMAP diet, it wasn't one that personally worked for me, but I know others who have had success with it. My safe food has always been Rice Krispies It will unfortunately be trial and error, I would recommend keeping a food diary  

Juliakate

I'm certainly with you on the rice crispies. Thanks Hannah - I do, do the low fodmap diet to calm things down with my IBS, but it doesn't work entirely for Diverticulitis, unfortunately. Boiled eggs seem to be making me happy!