First Time Flare Up (current)

Hi all -

I am so glad to have found this community. This sub has been super helpful as I navigate diverticulitis for the first time.

On April 5th, I noticed a spot on my lower abdomen that was tender to the touch. It was small and not noticeable until I touched it so I didn't think anything of it. Three weeks later, on Sunday the 27th, I felt very bloated, and cramping on my left lower abdomen. Originally thought I was constipated so I drank a couple cups of warm prune juice with butter. Nothing. I didn't eat anything that day, hoping my stomach would settle.

The next day, the pain was very noticable. My abdomen was sore to the touch and it hurt to bend over, get out of bed, or even laugh. I went to the urgent care and the doc told me it was most likely diverticulitis but couldn't be sure without a CT scan. Since I don't have health insurance I really didn't want to go to the ER. As directed, I went on a clear fluids diet until Wednesday. I made mashed potatoes and had broth with a little bit of rice.

I've been feeling better and more comfortable since the clear liquid diet and adding rice and mashed potatoes so I added a finely diced chicken breast to the soup as well. I still feel fine.

Today is Sunday. It's been one week since this first started, and I'm going to keep doing what I've been doing for the next couple of weeks. Ginger has really been helping me, I think.

Would love any advice from you lovely people with more experience with this than I have to let me know what to look for to know when I'm healing and how to move forward with introducing fiber into my diet again after the first week. I'm a 33 yo male.