Diverticulitis?

[CathyA]

Anyone have this condition? Do you always resort to antibiotics or are there more natural things that have helped you (i.e. aloe vera juice, slippery elm, etc.)?
I'm thinking I have it. Have alot of pain on the RLQ and cramping. No fever. I'm waiting on my WBC level. I know having the pain on the right side is uncommon. I really don't think I have appendicitis (no rebound tenderness).
I have a hypersensitive visceral condition and it makes it really hard to know when to see a doc. It's all so expensive. I'll give it a few more days, but was thinking maybe there are things out there that might soothe it.
Thanks!
P.S...........yes, I know about peritonitis and I won't wait too long.

[Tussiemussies]

Hi Cathy, I have some alternative medicine reference books, I could see what I can find if you would like. Let me know...chris

[bae]

My wife and mother both have this, and manage their issues with diet.

Waiting too long is really bad, and you might not even know how long "too long" is - I took my mother over to the hospital a few years ago because she just didn't feel right,and had vague signs that she might have an infection, and after they scanned her they rushed her into the OR - she apparently missed dying by a few hours.

[meri]

Hi Cathy, my aunt and grandmother have diverticulosis and suffered from diverticulitis several times. I know that the immediate remedy that usually saved them from trip to hospital and antibiotics was rest, drinking a lot of water and applying icepack on the painful part of belly. They also drink quite a lot of balm mint tea and eat diet high in foods that have a lot of fiber and avoid coffee and tomatoes. Not sure if this is of any help but that's all I know. Hope you get better soon.

[CathyA]

Thanks everyone!

[Sad Eyed Lady]

DH has had this for the past 4 or 5 years. After a few bouts (some severe), trips to Urgent Care, family doctor and finally some nasty side effects from antibiotics he has tried very, very hard to PREVENT the attacks. Not that he wasn't trying before, but increased his vigilance in what he could do. The thing he found that he feels has helped him stave off an attack for over 2 years now is we got a starter of kefir, and from it he makes fruit smoothies every single day and drinks them. The probiotics seem to help him by keeping all that good bacteria in his intestines. We started out buying kefir at the grocery but after researching and finding the kind you can make he thought the fresher the bacteria the stronger and better it would be. So, this is a regiment that he does daily and so far no more attacks. Of course he eats a high fiber diet, avoids seeds and nuts (I know that is controversial, some think it has nothing to do with it but in his experience it has), and so far so good. As other have said, don't wait on a trip to the doctor - it can be life threatening. Get it taken care of, then work on the prevention end.

[happystuff]

Dh just got diagnosed with this after having diverticulitis. He did the antibiotics and FINALLY did a bit of research. I don't see that he has changed his diet much, even after I asked him to let me know what to start shopping for and making. I have a feeling another round or two of discomfort is going to be his only motivation. I hope he starts before that, though. We'll see.

[Tussiemussies]

Hi Cathy, I know you are recovering now from your surgery, but I wanted to let you know that I did go to my herb reference book, The New Age Herbalist, by Richard Maybey, and found a little bit of information that I think is beneficial. It says that psyllium seeds are effective as a treatment for this condition and that eating a diet high in roughage/fiber. They also say that exercise is important too. You can also make an infused decoction of one part each: licorice, chamomile, peppermint, and ginger, two parts each of: millein and wild yam and 1/2 part of acrous toot. Hope this helps.....chris