Colonoscopy

[Shari1103]

Hi everyone, Sharon from Oregon. I have had diverticulitis since the beginning of summer. After being diagnosed, my Dr. recommended a colonoscopy, something he has been after me to do for a number of years, but I was to "chicken" to do. I had so many excuses. I turned 60 in 08 so told my Dr., as a BD gift to myself I would have one. Well, as life goes, to many things to do, work , and again a lot of excuses I didn't make an appointment. I finally conceded this summer to having it done. I did have to reschedule a few times due to some unforseen circumstances. This past Wed. was the BIG day. After preping for 2 days, I was a nervous wreck, just wanting it to be over and to find out if I was indeed OK. The waiting period these past few months has been just awful, extremely stressed out, nightmares of thinking the worst, wondering if I was going to get to move into the new house my husband and I are building, wondering if I was going to get see my grandchildren grow up, and on and on. So when Wed. finally came I was anxious to say the least. When my husband presented me with the pics and the good news, I was sooooo relieved. My prayers were not unheard, I thank God every day for a clean report! I don't have to have another one for ten years! My Dr. told my husband that whatever I was doing to continue on with. YEAH! I am short of just 3 days of being 61. I guess technechlly, I still fell within my 60th BD!

I also want to share with everyone some foods that we have found that have great fiber content. Activa yogurt with fiber has 5g, there are some others with not as much fiber. Not to many flavors to choose from, but oh well. We have found some multi-grain bread that has double fiber. 6g per slice. I can't recall the brand name, I threw the wrapper away, but will buy it again and post it for everyone. We have found instant Quaker oatmeal w/fiber and instant Cream of Wheat with lots of fiber as well. The oatmeal has 10g per package and the CofW has 6g. Have also found smoothies with 4g per container. These are an Albertson brand, so anyone that lives in an area where there is Albertson's check these out. They are really good and there are several flavors to choose from. I know some of these items are in the lower catogory of fiber but if you add cereal and toast to that you have a great fiber filled breakfast! Just wanted to share what we have found. I'm sure a lot of you know about these, but for those of you who are still new to the diverticulitis diet, I think these are well worth looking at. Stay healthy and happy eating everyone! Also Happy Halloween!

[marguerite]

Interesting!
Just shows how different places (doctors) have different approaches. I'm in Canada and ended up in Emergency with Divertic. (which I'd never heard of before!)
I'd had a colonoscopy 3 years previously, but they said I was clear of everything. However, had another one after this bout of divertic. and apparently the doc had trouble getting 'round one of the sacs in the colon! However, he still said I didn't need another colonoscopy for another 5 years.
The latest newsletter is v. interesting. I've been avoiding anything with fibre (even tho I seem to be okay now), but this has tempted me to try some apples WITH skins, etc. I am back putting flaxseed on my cereal, and so far seem to be okay. After I had my attack (the first) I had another one after I recovered, and was on the medication (antibiotics) for about 7 or 8 weeks altogether.
Seems to me there's a lot of confusion on this subject, but... I'll try adding more fibre. Glad to hear it might be okay when we're NOT suffering an attack.