Vannie..they told me I have that, after I had my first colonoscopy 6 or 7 years ago..

But I don't think I've ever had a problem with it. When I went in I had pain and trouble walking from it. But they said that was from Irritable Bowel Syndrom. Which I've had slight episodes of. May three times since then.

I hope you don't have a lot of problems with it.

patti

I don't have it...but one of my friends does.She can't eat strawberries,corn,peanuts,popcorn anything with seeds...no matter how tiny.She's ended up in the hospital over blueberries!Twice she's had to have a bag put on....she has it BAD! Never gets over it without at least antibiotics.I'm sorry to hear you have this...has to be a terrible thing!

I have diverticulosis--hasn't progressed to diverticulitis yet. Was diagnosed over a year ago. Since then, I've avoided all nuts and seeds, and try not to eat anything like vegetable/fruit skins (tomatoes, apples, pears, etc). I even remove the seeds from any tomatoes I eat (and strain tomato and spaghetti sauces). No crunchy peanut butter, no more sunflower seed bagels.

Really, anything you know is pretty indigestible can be a problem. I find I am MUCH more comfortable when I am careful about my diet.

After I had my last major flare up and spent a week in the hospital, they sent me to the nutritionist. Has your MD suggested you seeing one?
The "rules" change, I can have berries, but absolutely no nuts. The seeds issue is nothing bigger than a berry strawberry seed.
I am really careful about the junk foods, they will really bring on an attack fast. That will get me every time! It's hard to drive on by, but worth it in the long run!
I also limit ALL fried foods, red meat is a fond memory, as are most processed foods. You need to have a high fiber, with lots of fruits, grains etc. Kathy

I suffered with it for many years, and because I was a (relatively young) age, was advised to have surgery. If you keep having repeat infections, the chance of a rupture increases, which would cause havoc internally, and result in an emergency situation. No, I never got over an infection without antibiotics, and they took about a week for me to get over. I tried complete avoidance of all nuts/seeds for awhile; I kept having infections.

Warning: Might be TMI ahead for some, LOL, turn away if you're easily offended :)

Some interesting info I have gathered from the multiple doctors I have seen, including the 2 surgeons who removed 1 1/2 feet of my pocketed intestine: Every single one of them said (and some of these docs were at the Mayo Clinic) that the 'nut/seed' theory is an old wive's tale. They said what gets trapped in the pockets is just fecal matter, which can get very hard and sit there and fester until an infection begins. They all said EVERYONE should be taking fiber supplements daily, which would eliminate the majority of problems. They also said many people have multiple intestinal problems that may be aggravated by certain foods, and may help to trigger intestinal infections, in general. (I know I can eat only very small amounts of lettuce, or I will be in pain, before and after the surgery . . . just like my grandmother. It's not the same kind of pain as diverticulitis, nor does it cause an infection.) They also said that as we age, every one of us will wind up with some pockets. One last thing that always makes me laugh for some reason - I guess picturing them doing this: some of the docs said they've obviously studied the removed-pocketed-sections . . . and have never found a seed/nut/hull of any kind . . .

Obviously, every situation is different, and I can only go by my own experience. Since my surgery 6 years ago, the only thing I'm careful about is lettuce, and I've never had a problem since. And every single day since, metamucil is part of my daily routine.

As I understand it, different things for different people...I had it and never knew what would bring on an attack...Mine finally ruptured and I had to have surgery. I had a colostomy for 3 months and then they successfully reconnected my colon...It is not a fun thing to go through so it is good to try and figure out what causes your own problems...I have a good friend that cannot eat lettuce of any kind...zap she is in trouble...Mine was eliminated with the surgery and there have been no indications of any kind of problem since.

Talk to your Dr and get a list of what you should not eat or not etc. Mayo Clinic and Web MD will help also. I find if I drink very little or no coffee drinks and no soda pop it really makes a difference.
It made a real difference when I eliminated all soda products. Combination of carbonation and caffeine.

Pixistix, Do you and I have the same Surgeon?

I had never had any indications of diverticulosis or diverticulitis, and I ate nuts by the canful, any kind of berries, lettuce, whatever I wanted.

Four years ago I awoke one night with terrible pain in my left groin area. I had to call my DD to take me to the ER. Long story short: I had a perforated, abscessed colon. I was in the hospital 7 weeks while the situation was being monitored, antibotics by IV, draining, etc. Finally the surgery was done and a length of my colon was removed. I never did think to ask how much, although my Surgeon showed me a colored illustration.

My Surgeon told me he does not hold to the "seeds in a pocket" theory, and he said, just as Pixistix's doctors said, that he had never seen any seeds, nuts, etc in a pocket. Yes, they must take them out and inspect them!

When I was discharged, my Surgeon told me I could eat anything I wanted to, including the Pecan Pie I had been craving.

I'm still eating any and everything I want.

I would encourage anyone who is having any pain in that area to have an Xray, Catscan, MRI, whatever is available to diagnose the problem. Mine happened suddenly, you may be getting some early warning signals.

Don't wait, get a diagnosis, please!

Sue

There's no food that I love more than nuts, but I've learned that I am in agony every time I've tried eating them in the past few years. That seems to be the only food that just kills me. My belly hurts, my abdomen bloats with gas like I'm pregnant and I feel like I need to go to the BR and can't. Do you have these same symptoms?

DH had diverticulitis that was never diagnosed until his colon ruptured. He walked off the golf couse on a Friday afternoon, and refused to go to the ER until the early morning when the pain was unbearable.
When I got him to the ER, he had developed peritionitis, and later Drs told me he was could have died within hours, at the most.

He had emergency surgery to remove damaged colon area and a colostomy. after a month in the hospital, he came home weighing 127 lbs - he was 6ft 2" tall.

After 3 months, they repaired the colon, and no more colostomy.

He never had any problems eating anything, before or after surgery, and at the time Drs released him from care, they said he could eat anything...and he did.

Hmm, as I understand it, if the attacks get closer together I think they recommend surgery. My dh had an attack in Mar/April of this year and had never had a hint of a problem before. His did abscess and so had that section out in June. No problems since, other than he cannot eat spicy food.

I am guessing that this may be what I have. Why because I have attacks that I am in the bathroom on the toliet and I break out in a hot sweat, have been known to get sick .TMI== I remember back in the 70's( telling my age) I went to the dr., told him about my problem and he said that it was---anticipating having a bowel movement...I have yet to have a dr. to tell me what is going on.I try to watch the nuts,corn,peas,soft drinks and drink water. Can this be the same thing as everyone is talking about? How do you get your dr. to listen?

The Book "PH Balance" by Dr Young is excelent to follow.
The book states how much our bodies have changed from the many things we shouldn't eat.
Many of the diseases today can be cured by the PH balance and change of diets.
Dolly

imn2--find a new doctor and don't stop looking until one can help you!