r/Diverticulitis

I was diagnosed with diverticulitis on Thursday, started 1 dose of antibiotics that night in the ER and the first full course on Friday.

It is now Sunday and I have still been needing to take the pain killers because I am still in pain.

Is this normal?

How long were you out of work for during your bout of diverticulitis? How long did it take for antibiotics to make you feel well enough to get up and about?

Would it be weak of me to call out again tomorrow just in case I don't feel better?

I walk and talk to patients all day and work in a very busy clinic and the thought of that right now scares me because idk how I'll feel in the morning. Yesterday I woke up in horrendous pain, even more than the day before, so I do not know what tomorrow will bring, ya know?

Can you please give me advice?

June 15th ER diagnosed with first ever moderate acute flare on lower right side. Put on two antibiotics, diarrhea started 3 days later. Two weeks later went to ER still have diarrhea, new CT showed mild acute flare in Sigmoid this time. New Antibiotics but diarrhea hasn’t let up, so after 3 days stopped that. Fast forward still bloated and diarrhea continues on. Does anyone have experience like this?

Writing this from a hospital bed while recovering from an elective sigmoid colectomy.

I actually discovered this subreddit after my last major flare, and I honestly think it changed the course of my treatment. Reading everyone's experiences helped me understand this disease far better than I had before, and ultimately gave me the confidence to push for surgery

My journey started in May 2023 with my first known bout of diverticulitis. My wife was giving me a hard time because it just looked like constipation, which was unusual since I've always had healthy, regular bowel movements. Like most people around me, she figured it would pass if I just waited it out.

After several days of worsening pain in my lower left abdomen and developing a fever, I finally drove myself to urgent care. The provider told me I was a little young at 30 years old to have diverticulitis, but based on my symptoms, they strongly suspected it. They sent me to the ER, where a CT scan confirmed my first episode of acute diverticulitis.

My dad had also dealt with diverticulitis, so getting established with his gastroenterologist was easy. I had my first colonoscopy shortly afterward, which confirmed diverticulosis and supported the diagnosis. At the time, I didn't think much of it. I was young, active, and lived a relatively healthy lifestyle, so I assumed this would just be an occasional inconvenience.

For the next couple of years, that mostly seemed to be the case. Through early 2025, I'd have a mild flare roughly every six months. Looking back, I was incredibly naive about the cumulative damage each flare could cause. Whenever symptoms started, I'd send my gastroenterologist a message or schedule a telehealth visit, get prescribed antibiotics, recover, and move on with life. I never really stopped to think about what repeated inflammation might be doing to my colon or that one bad episode could result in a perforation and emergency surgery.

Then everything changed.

The flare-ups became much more frequent. It felt like I couldn't make it through a single quarter without another one. What had once been an occasional inconvenience was becoming a recurring part of my life.

This was also when the mental side of the disease really started to take hold. I found myself constantly wondering if something I ate would trigger another flare, even though I knew the science wasn't that straightforward. Every stomach ache or cramp made me question whether another round of antibiotics was around the corner.

The unpredictability became exhausting. It wasn't just the physical pain anymore. It was the anxiety of never knowing when the next flare would happen, whether I'd have to cancel plans, miss work, or spend another week recovering. Diverticulitis had slowly gone from something I dealt with a couple of times a year to something that was starting to dictate how I lived my life.

By 2026, I finally started to understand what a truly bad flare-up could mean. I learned more about complications like perforations, abscesses, fistulas, and emergency surgery, and that knowledge made my anxiety even worse.

Then came the flare that changed everything.

Looking back, I probably should have gone to the hospital. Instead, I stubbornly tried to manage it at home and fought through a five-day fever, convincing myself it would eventually get better. It did, but it also forced me to realize how much I had been gambling with my health.

That was the straw that broke the camel's back.

For the first time, I stopped thinking about getting through the next flare and started thinking about preventing the next one altogether. I knew I couldn't keep living with the constant anxiety, the repeated rounds of antibiotics, and the fear that the next episode might require emergency surgery.

I had a colonoscopy scheduled, but it ended up being cancelled because I went into another flare. Thankfully, it was relatively mild because I hadn't really been eating much anyway, but that cancellation turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Instead of rescheduling the colonoscopy, my gastroenterologist referred me directly to a colorectal surgeon.

The timeline moved incredibly fast after that. I went from planning for a colonoscopy on June 23 to having surgery on July 1.

The surgeon reviewed my imaging and history, asked me a few questions, and then told me that, given the frequency of my flares and my age, he'd prefer to operate before I had another one rather than risk waiting until I needed emergency surgery. My wife and I are expecting our second child in August, so the timing actually worked out better than we could have hoped.

Today I'm four days post-op.

I know everyone's experience is different, but so far I feel great. I don't have an ostomy bag, I'm already up walking multiple times a day, and every day has been a little better than the last.

More than anything, I feel relieved.

For the first time in over a year, I'm not wondering when the next flare is coming. That constant anxiety that had quietly taken over my life is finally gone.

I hope my story helps. Surgery isn't the right answer for everyone, but don't let fear keep you from at least having the conversation with a colorectal surgeon. Elective surgery under controlled circumstances is a very different experience than emergency surgery, and for me, it was absolutely the right decision.

When the pain first started I tried high fibre so my bowels were constantly emptied and I didn’t have constipation as I read somewhere that constipation is a big no no.
Tried low fibre and while I got a some relief from pain, maybe 24 hours. I can now feel stool forming and the pain is back. Pretty sure I will be constipated again causing more pain and I’m taking laxido twice a day to keep the stools soft.

What is the best thing to do here?

I’m still waiting for my follow up outpatient appointment since I have my colonoscopy/endoscopy which shows mild gastritis and very mild diverticula disease.
I’ve rang the consultants secretary 3 times and she just doesn’t get back to me. Should have had the appointment within the first 6 weeks and we are now 10 weeks past. I’m in pain everyday and I’m going on a 3 day Europe trip on Thursday.

I realize this may be the umpteenth post lately of someone who has done the Sigmoid Resection surgery but I just joined the semi-colon club on 7/2 and have to say…what a ride! Not always glamorous but definitely worth it.

Am I still in pain as I write this? You betcha.

Am I glad that I did the procedure? Double you betcha.

Here’s why: my surgeon found an abscess and perforation in my sigmoid colon during the procedure, not to mention my colon was riddled with diverticula. Had I not been scheduled for the 7/2 procedure, there was a high likelihood that I would have ended up in an emergency surgery within days of 7/2 or within a week or two of the date. As many of us are aware, the chances of being stuck with a colostomy bag significantly increase with emergency surgery. I am counting my blessings.

The day of the procedure and following day were pretty rough. I was in a lot of pain and had a lot of nausea along with it, which we later figured out was likely being caused by the opioid medication, Duelodid. Once we swapped it out for morphine the nausea went away. Apparently nausea is a common side effect of Duelodid.

So here I am, day 3 post surgery and walking here and there, along with eating normal food again. Pain is still in the 6-7 range but I’m getting through it knowing that tomorrow will be even better than today.

Oh, and the Foley removal? Yikes. Wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, but it wasn’t pleasant either. Prior to surgery, I practically demanded a 14 French (size) Foley instead of the standard 16 French size that OR’s typically use on everyone. I think this made the removal much easier. Fun fact: did you know that 14Fr is the standard size used in Europe? I learned this fact and said there’s no reason to use a larger bore on my urethra. Plus it lessens the likelihood of scar tissue formation etc when you use a smaller Foley.

My strength is coming back little by little and I think I’ll be ready to go home tomorrow.

Some random doctor was covering for my surgeon today and tried to discharge me this morning when I wasn’t ready to leave the hospital. I basically argued with him and said that I didn’t feel safe going home yet, where I wouldn’t have the resources I need to assist me with getting in/out of bed, safely using the toilet, etc. He threw out “long term care facility” as a veiled threat but I called his bluff and knew he wouldn’t be able to send to today (on a holiday), plus he would need insurance approval. Point is: you can refuse to be discharged. This is one of those hospital secrets they don’t want you to know about. It’s your right as a patient to refuse to be sent home if you don’t feel well enough.

Hope this info was helpful, fellow dv family.

Hi coming off my third flare up. All advice and even down in my country seems to be on the rise for young people in their 30s. Why the heck is it then when we still go into hospital or doctors and even my nurse partner says it’s still more common in older people less in young. Seems it’s on the rise for our age group same with bowel cancers

I’m 6 days out from an ER visit for uncomplicated diverticulitis, on amoxicillin. First flare up. 50 years old.

Here’s my problem: I have long-standing food sensitivities and the exact foods I can’t tolerate (pasta, wheat products, dairy) are the low-fiber staples this recovery diet recommends. I tried soft pasta a couple days ago and it wrecked me (diarrhea all day). Greek yogurt I can manage maybe one serving.

Right now I’m basically living on chicken bone broth with a couple tablespoons of potato flakes stirred in to make a thin potato soup. Every time I introduce something new, my gut revolts.

For context I eat pretty clean normally, mostly plant based, no red meat, don’t drink or smoke, exercise regularly, active job, roughly healthy weight. Some family history on my mom’s side so this is def genetic vs lifestyle.
The diet recommended for prevention is exactly how I eat due to sensitivities.

For those of you with IBS, gluten/dairy issues, or general food sensitivities what low-residue foods did you actually tolerate during recovery when the usual white-bread/pasta/dairy is off the table? How did you build back up? Trying to find a balance landing somewhere between “clear liquids forever” and “eat the things that trigger me.”

Dying for a big salad.

Thanks in advance.

My uncle is 70+ and has diverticulitis. When he urinates, “poop” chunks came out with blood. He was also diagnosed with a colorectal fistula.

He had a colonoscopy and was clear of any polyps. He received an IV at the ER and the blood and chunks stopped. The doctor said antibiotics may stop it altogether, but if it continues he’d need surgery. There was nothing for 6 months and he seemed healed. They suggested surgery but still nothing else happened.

The chunks and blood then came back about 6 months later after he did strenuous lifting. He’s fit besides this condition.

Surgery was suggested. They said if he doesn’t get surgery he may get an infection that may lead to sepsis.

However he’s had no issues in 3 months since then. Just air in his urine flow. No blood or chunks. They still say surgery but he hasn’t had symptoms in ages now. He stopped the heavy lifting, too.

However the doctor also said before when he received the IV 6 months earlier that antibiotics may be able to help.

Surgery seems to not be able to happen for months so I was wondering is there a way for him to get maybe monthly or however often IV antibiotic or any IV treatment to treat the symptoms (blood, chunks, and pain urinating) as an alternative to surgery. Can that be a possible long term solution to dealing with the symptoms?

Thank you!

I was diagnosed with extensive diverticulosis. I have never had a flair but have mild discomfort in my lower left abdomen. My doctor told me to increase my fibre intake with the use of Metamucil. I found however, even though I drink heaps of water, that it binds me up and increases the discomfort. I have given it away and just use daily Movicol instead. This works way better for me. Has anyone else found that increasing fibre intake whilst not in a flare can have the same effect?

Anyone have complicated Hinchey IA diverticulitis? What was your treatment and journey post-diagnosis?

A colonoscopy years ago found some diverticula, but not sure if I ever had what could be definitely considered a Diverticulitis flare up, about a year ago I got gas and bloating real bad but was able to get better using Gas-X.

This past Wednesday evening I had some real bad gas bloating, Gas-X did not seem to help as much as before, was still feeling somewhat bloated and miserable (no fever) the next day and the discomfort and bloating has been lessening more each day.  I am passing gas occasionally but still waiting for my regular BMs to start back so I started taking Mag Citrate pills and now just stared Miralax.   

Not sure if this or the episode last year was Diverticulitis or just regular gas and bloating.   In the afternoon on Wednesday I ate a good bit of fresh homemade salsa with lots of chopped raw onions, it has been a while since I had that much raw onion at one time, usually I might very very occasionally have had a slice of onion on a sandwich without any issues.

While I still feel some slight bloating and feel a little rough going thru this, I do seem to have improved some each day, just need to get my regular BMs back on track. hopefully the Miralax will help within a day or two (they say allow 1-3 days).    I was wondering if eating some popcorn might help with the BMs but as of now I am undecided as I have read both that it is okay and that itis not okay so it is hard to be sure.

I am not back on a completely normal diet yet, didn't feel like I wanted to risk eating the next day to avoid possible increased bloating, but yesterday started eating some instant grits, pineapple, and diced up baked chicken for supper.

I am now unsure about eating raw onion again, I would usually eat cooked onions and green peppers without any problems, so maybe just too much raw onion is the problem.

Thanks in advance for any opinions !

So my first bout with diverticulitis was April 7. Hospitalized for 2 days. Flared again May 10. During the event I had thrush all over my tongue and into my esophagus. Which was my third round of thrush in a year without antibiotic use and never had it in my life. Yes I was treated with antibiotics but the thrush was there before during my hospital stay.

Now once again without steroids or antibiotics I have thrush all over my tongue and clearly in my esophagus. Probably all over my stomach too. I'm nauseous, bloated, and very fatigued. And my stomach is making God awful noises to the point it wakes me up at night. And would not be surprised to see yet another flare come on.

My question... Have any of you experienced a surge of Candida albicans in your body on your skin etc timed with diverticulitis?

I'm beginning to think Life as I know it is finished because of this God awful disease.

Deep dish supreme pizza

I had a bad first time diverticulitis incident last September that landed me in the ER and went through the whole brutal antibiotics combo and diet regimen. I have been clear ever since! I have not experienced any constipation and my diet is very clean. And then basically out of nowhere last night I started feeling throbbing aching pain in the LLQ, right in the pelvis area. Of course I panicked worrying this may be a flare up. I do not want to go through that again. I put on a heat wrap right away, took some IBGard and tylenol, and have been on a clear liquid diet since last night.

However, I woke up this morning with no pain and still feel completely fine again. The pain freaked me out but I dont have a fever or nausea or anything. Maybe I’m in the clear? Or should I stick out the liquid diet longer?

I (f 49) have surgery on the 8th. Long story short I have been septic before (2024 after a hysterectomy and I required a picc line for a month) and I am scared shitless -all puns intended- about having surgery. I am hopeful that this will finally get rid of the pain I have been in for years. There is a chance that my lap procedure will become an open surgery due to all of the scarring from the 7 cm abscess and and the drain line and the subsequent fistula from the abscess. I have had 2 serious flares since then and was hospitalized for 5 days each time. I need any tips, advice and words of encouragement!

Buenos días a todos, mi historia empezó hace 3años con episodios de diverticulitis no complicada lo típico, urgencias,antibioicos y dieta durante 15 días.

Para no aburrir decir que el martes pasado ingresé para una operación de sigma, la operación salio bien, hoy es día sábado y creo que mañana me voy para casa.

La operación es muy manejable, la primera noche la pasé en URPA, oí con bomba de fentanilo, para mi nada agradable, me mareaba mucho pero dolor O. la mañana del jueves me subieron a cama y ni un paracetamol he tomado. Hoy ya pasé de dieta líquida, manzanilla y zumos a algo más sólido, puré y tostadas por la mañana con mermelada y zumo.

ESTOY supercontenta, cualquier duda me preguntáis sin duda. Un saludo

Now that I have your attention because you are finishing that song in your head (I see u Gen X) I have a bean question. But first, a tiny piece of my history.

I was diagnosed 2 years ago after a trip to the ER for what I thought was a busted ovary. After being shocked to learn I had Diverticulitis and nearly having surgery, I spent a week in the hospital on an arsenal of meds that will surprise nobody reading this post.

After I was released I felt like I was wandering in the desert without an oasis in sight except for Reddit. After I felt better I thought that would be the end of it but I have been back to the ER twice but luckily not for a stay.

After a flare this May I stopped eating for 4 days to clean things out and then ate a limited diet.

Back at work and It’s damned hard not to reach for convenience foods, and new research says that emulsifiers in our foods and other additives harm the microbiome. Add in being a cesarean section baby and all the antibiotics I’ve consumed and my gut is screwed.

How does one build up the ‘biome? I know pills aren’t the answer. So For those of you past a flare, are you able to eat “real” food like beans and lentils if they’ve been cooked in a pressure cooker? I have a hard time digesting them, probably due to lectins, but it’s known they contain good stuff for the microB so how am I supposed to get at that goodness? Otherwise I’m eating chicken, rice, sweet potatoes, green beans, broccoli and it gets dull. Any ideas to spice up my diet are greatly appreciated.

PS for some reason, several foods “repeat” on me (I burp up their flavor for hours) including cooked bell peppers, salmon, peanut butter, and sesame oil. I’m not sure what that means and am curious if anyone has thoughts. Thank you for reading!

I just wanted to give a heads up in case anyone else is going through it. My regular doc thought I had diverticulitis at first. I was treated for it for the first 6 months. I got frustrated and told her to send me on to GI because I couldn't live like that! Symptoms: constipation, diarrhea, blood poops, bloated, nausea, headaches and soooooo much pain! I went to the GI doc and decided on a colonoscopy. He ran tons of bloodwork and as I was about to be put under for the procedure my doctor says "did you see on your results that you tested positive for alpha gal?".... besides a few normal polyps, totally normal colonoscopy! Alpha gal has been hard but now that I'm to the point of healing myself with the correct foods and eating what I'm not allergic too, I am totally symptom free! I just wanted to share my little story in hopes of someone not giving up and just going with the struggle (because I did for 8 months). If something isn't confirmed, keep trying to get answers! Of course if you have confirmed diverticulitis, get treated.