Diverticulitis, what a nightmare it's been....

[skeebo1969]

   I've suffered from this since I was 32.  I still remember my sero conversion in 2005 and of course my diverticulitis flared up something bad to make it so memorable.  Fun times indeed.

   In the past my flare ups have mainly affected the small intestines, but recently through a CT scan, it's now in my colon.  This latest episode has been trying.

  I'm trying to change my diet, but am having great difficulty figuring out why this is becoming a constant issue for me.  I just finished a month long regimen of Cipro and Metronidazole and it seems to be coming back.

  Does anyone else here suffer from this?  I've tried fiber supplements and what not to no avail.  Frustrating would be an understatement.

  Skeebo

[Wade]

Hey Skeebo, I have a friend who has this also, she avoids anything with small seeds especially tomato.  She is also religious with the Metamucil and yogurt, and the more fiber you have in your diet the better.
I know... Fiber, fiber, fiber 

Hope you get some relief, Wade

[skeebo1969]

Hey Skeebo, I have a friend who has this also, she avoids anything with small seeds especially tomato.  She is also religious with the Metamucil and yogurt, and the more fiber you have in your diet the better.
I know... Fiber, fiber, fiber 

Hope you get some relief, Wade

Thanks Wade!   Yep, I even stay away from sesame seed covered buns.  That didn't sound right, but it's the truth lol. 

[cesar_camargo]

Curious here, what's the components in your hiv meds?

[skeebo1969]

Curious here, what's the components in your hiv meds?

Truvada and Viramune.

[Wade]

Truvada and Viramune.

Viramune did bad things to my innards, it was years ago but I have not forgotten why that one was switched.

[mecch]

Maybe a med switch? I hope you find relief soon.

[Jody]

Hi skeebo...I had the less serious diverticulosis years back I believe it was...also was told to avoid seeds, even nuts I think, as well as spicy foods, mustard, etc.

Intestines always a weakness with us HIV folks, hope you get better soon.

[Gokhan_Tr]

Hello Skeebo,

My doctor warned me in advance about this so she put me on a very high fiber diet and she forces me to drink at least 3-3,5 lt of water per day (which isn't a big problem since I am a heavy water drinker).

But as I was talking to her before about this (cause I always had bowel problems way before diagnosed), she said the worst, THE WORST case is surgery. So if it really can't be solved with medications or other treatments, you might also consult with your doctor about the surgery.

hope you'll get well very soon.

[wolfter]

I suffered for years until I was rushed to the ER because of a severe attack while visiting my parents.

After finding out the cause, we moved on to treatments.  After explaining how certain foods cause flareups, I started tracking it.

In my case, turns out that raw cauliflower and broccoli are my worst culprets.  Sucks as I could munch on them constantly.  I can only eat them if steamed. 

[skeebo1969]

Viramune did bad things to my innards, it was years ago but I have not forgotten why that one was switched.

I tolerated it rather well for about 8 years now.  I did some digging online (I know not always a good thing), and one of the things I found was that you should not drink any alcohol while taking Viramune.  I've never heard this before.

I also read some info that diverticulitis occurs a lot in us pozzies, and in a small (very small) sample study--24% of those afflicted took Viramune.

 I just love craft beers, and my wife and I enjoy going to all of the local breweries around here.  I don't drink much, but I do drink frequently..... well, I used to before all this started.  It makes me wonder if I may have triggered this with my drinking.  I also saw where beer and diverticulitis doesn't go well together either.

While my sources are not that great, it does offer me some insight on how to discuss this with my doctor tomorrow.   

Best time of the year for beer too, what with all the seasonal stouts and porters coming out.  Just my luck.

Thanks for the reply Wade.

Maybe a med switch? I hope you find relief soon.

Thanks Mecch, I hope so too.  I am going to discuss a med change with my doctor.  My insurance blocked our last efforts for a med change, however, I may have a valid reason now.

Hi skeebo...I had the less serious diverticulosis years back I believe it was...also was told to avoid seeds, even nuts I think, as well as spicy foods, mustard, etc.

Intestines always a weakness with us HIV folks, hope you get better soon.

Thanks Jody.  I am suppose to stay away from all of the above. It's tough when pistachios and cashews exist.

Hello Skeebo,

My doctor warned me in advance about this so she put me on a very high fiber diet and she forces me to drink at least 3-3,5 lt of water per day (which isn't a big problem since I am a heavy water drinker).

But as I was talking to her before about this (cause I always had bowel problems way before diagnosed), she said the worst, THE WORST case is surgery. So if it really can't be solved with medications or other treatments, you might also consult with your doctor about the surgery.

hope you'll get well very soon.

Thanks for the reply Gokhan_Tr.  I hope it does not come to surgery, but I fear it might due to the severity of it lately and the antibiotics not really working.

I suffered for years until I was rushed to the ER because of a severe attack while visiting my parents.

After finding out the cause, we moved on to treatments.  After explaining how certain foods cause flareups, I started tracking it.

In my case, turns out that raw cauliflower and broccoli are my worst culprets.  Sucks as I could munch on them constantly.  I can only eat them if steamed. 

When my doctor told me to avoid eating broccoli I was perplexed.  I never thought that could worsen my condition. 

Thanks for the reply wolfter. 

[skeebo1969]

  I just picked up my first prescription of Genvoya.  I'm probably going to take it tonight.  Is there anything I should be aware of?  Truvada and Viramune were always taken without any thought.