Scary, painful recent acute diverticulitis and so slow recovery along with diag of kidney stones has had me learning more about both conditions.
Interested to learn that it takes 24 hrs from food intake to elimination of that food so charting slow reintroduction of fibers can help me track any flare-up symptoms. So far only non-cooked foods are avocado and raspberries.
Much is written about the impact of inflammation on not just kidneys but also heart, diabetes and other chronic conditions.
A frequently recommended spice is the use of Tumeric for inflammation combined with CoQ10 that helps hard-to-absorb curcumin ingred. found in Tumeric.
Any users here of either or both combined? If so, any specific brands recommended? Asking before any purchase because I am very reluctant to add anything before checking with our in-the-trenches experts here. I appreciate that each of us is different in what we can or cannot tolerate and we aren't docs but suggestions and cautions are truly appreciated going forward.
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FlowerPreciousLover
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I was very interested in using turmeric for my psoriatic arthritis. I did some research and found such a mess that I decided it was not a good idea. There is a lot of conflicting information out there on the efficacy of it. The bottom line is that it can raise your oxalate level which can cause a type of kidney stone. It can also thin the blood. It has a lot of potassium in a small amount. So here again is the chance you take with a supplement. I did use it for a while in my cooking and found no benefit. It also stains
Thank you, Bassetmommer, for your speedy, informative response. I will check out your site links.
I know to be cautious about adding any type of supplement, especially without doc's express approval. Next appt. several weeks away so better to limit inflammation aggravating foods.
People aren't really serious until they know they must give up all meat/meat by-products, dairy....any animal food. There's your inflammation. Watch Netflex's "The Game Changer" to see what I"ve been living and teaching for over 2 decades. Inflammation will disappear once you change your diet.
Thank you taivin98 for your response and for suggesting The Game Changer on Netflix.
I am convinced that diet changes can make a difference in improving or slowing down chronic health issues.
Also finding that 3 mos into kidney and diverticulitis diagnoses, the best course for me is by charting and making changes to foods that are condition friendly and reducing/eliminating those that are listed by trusted resources.
I've begun moving toward a more plant based diet and reducing meat and dairy products. Will be eager to review next lab reports.
Thanks again for posting what has worked well for you over the past 20 years.
I take turmeric and black pepper from Swanson, the pepper aids the uptake. I also take Ubiquinol, the complete CoQ10 you need if over 40 years old. I also take some ginger, aids several things including digestion and inflammation. Also some Ashwagandha for now, also some fish oil and krill oil. Passed some blood and kidney stones last summer eGfr dropped to 36. Eliminated processed foods and limited meat intake to lower level. eGfr went up to 50. Went to kidney doctor and he said if it hadn`t come up would have had to eliminate some of my prescription meds, I take 9 different meds for heart, thyroid, type 2 diabetes and blood pressure. All controlled nicely with meds.
I forgot to mention I also take Psyllium Husk fiber twice a day and a stool softner twice a day, docusate sodium 100mg. 2 in the morning and one in the afternoon. I think when we are over 60 most of us have to deal with diverticulitis. Hope that is useful, good luck!
I'm just gathering information at this point for consideration on all that can affect our conditions.
Other than starting generic Align and buying but not trying yet, Metamucil, I am taking notes of what I may ask docs about and learn on my own in regard to supplements.
Really hate to hear that most of us seniors are more subject to the dratted diverticulitis. Would like to put this one in my rear view mirror permanently!
Hello Flower, I remember well when I was diagnosed with diverticulosis. Boy was I sick! the surgeon prescribed soft foods and "fiber" until I could be scheduled for surgery to resection a part of my intestine. Immediately I decided to read up on this and found out some stuff: Diverticulosis is pretty common in people over 40ish here and doesn't cause a problem until it becomes diverticulitis. As you found out, that is when those little pouches become inflamed and leak through the intestinal wall into your abdominal cavity. This is helped along a lot by continuing to eat red meat, which helped to cause it in the first place. In the US, we do that a lot. The word "fiber" by itself is pretty ambiguous: were you meaning soluble or insoluble fiber? I found out the difference and they are worlds apart. The insoluble fiber in cereals, etc. acts as a laxative and does little to except make your bowels move a lot. The insoluble fiber (wheat bran) makes things firm up and makes bowel movements more meaningful. I decided what the heck, I had nothing to lose and found out quickly that wheat bran is plentiful, easy to get and costs little. It took 24 hours (no adjustment necessary) to clean out my bowels (including those pouches), make we feel great and I kept my bowels intact 'cause surgery was no longer necessary. That was 40 years ago and I cut back on the red meat (until recently when I cut it out altogether), and make sure I ingest a goodly amount of INSOLUBLE fiber (less than a half teaspoon a week works for me). Occasionally I might get that familiar ache in the gut with a low grade fever, but I know how to take care of it. I don't know how much "insoluble fiber" is too much or if there is such a thing. I kinda doubt it.
The kidney stones I took care of another way: I went to China for non invasive treatment which dissolved them. Sorry but the doctors here (in the US) won't learn about three thousand year old treatments that work. Too much Hubris or the FDA, or both. I have read that the stones can be broken up using ultra sound, but no personal experience.
Oldearkie, the first day of relief and calm for me after hearing the CKD stage 3 diagnosis was the day I found my new "support home" at HealthUnlocked. Thanks to you all for being here!
CKD diagnosis followed by the kidney stones report and then the dreadful diverticulitis attack and very slow with setback, recovery makes me shake my head in disbelief that all this happened within only three months. Seems more like a decade.
A second smile and hope producing day came when both you and Bassetmommer quickly responded to my first diverticulitis post with encouraging, helpful diet suggestions. You alerted me to the difference between soluble vs non-soluble fibers and Bassetmommer recommended an otc stool softner. Sincerest thanks to you both.
Although there are other good sites, this site proved worth its weight in gold for recovery as I continue to make and chart very slow re-introductions of harder to digest fibers into my diet. With the exception of raw avocados, all other veggies continue to be sauteed or cooked. Twice burned; thrice shy.
Yes! soluble vs insoluble fibers are worlds apart! Insoluble wheat bran cereal is a part of my diet. If I never see another loaf of "white" bread, pasta, rice, jello, applesauce, etc, it will be too soon! vbg
Read that it takes 24 hrs from the time we ingest a food until it is excreted. This prompted charting the addition of new foods.
As for the kidney stones remedy, I so agree that docs in the U.S. could do so much more if they were open to other, long proven remedies and received more training in the importance of diet.
It happened by accident but acupuncture was my savior after exhausting tradition medical solutions...read: knock-out-to- bed muscle relaxers... for a back injury.
Flower: For a more positive cleaning I put a half teaspoon or more of bulk wheat bran in a bowl of bran cereal or any cereal. To get an amount of wheat bran cereal to do you much good, you'd have to eat a whole box of the cereal. The bulk wheat bran is available at most grocers and health food stores. Sorry I wasn't more specific earlier. The wheat bran can be put in all cereals, hot or cold, muffins, corn bread, soups stews, etc. I make my own capsules of wheat bran by filling the capsules with the bulk wheat bran. That way I can take the wheat bran with water like any capsule and I take two or three at a time. In my area, supplies are available at my favorite health food store at very low cost. Good luck. Glad you discovered acupuncture. I've been using that for Shingles for many years as the pharmaceuticals proved useless for me.
Fatbuddy, Thanks for sharing information on psyllium husk fiber and the Kroger grocery stool softener source. We don't have a Kroger's here but I have Metamusil which contains the fiber you mentioned.
I did the turmeric thing and it didn't help at all. What does help with my diverticulitis is making sure I am hydrated and upping my fiber intake. This was on the advice of a gastric surgeon and has really helped me control it.
I've also found regular meal times are a must - no skipping meals and no over eating. You want your bowels to be as regular as possible.
Zencat, I appreciate your response and suggestions. Because of dry mouth, I drink a great deal of water each day...daily empty a 64 oz refrigerated container along with unsweetened tea and coffee.
I am learning to eat 3 meals/day plus healthy snacks. Never hungry at breakfast but now it is becoming routine...proof that oldies can make good changes. Also good to know that gastric surgeon advised this and that it has helped you.
This week I've tried two handfuls of air popped corn and a handful of unsalted pecans. So far so good but need to work up gradually to reintroduction of raw fruits and veggies so more fiber and weight gain are the new goals.
It really helps to hear what works and doesn't from others because diverticulitis is too painful to ignore.
You may also want to look into the absorption of both supplements. For example, forms of CoQ10 that are water an fat-soluble absorb better. For turmeric, forms that are hydro-soluble absorb better. And, as always, check with your doctor before starting a new supplement regimen.
Thanks for the tips, kcc. I've made a note of them and will be asking my doc at next appt about about taking both tumeric and CoQ10 before starting them.
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