Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?

I have a redundant colon as does my mom, and my dad is a polyp maker and so am I. 🙁 I was on psyllium fiber for years but it stopped helping. I am making my own granola which has lots of fiber including flaxseed, chia seeds, etc. I have numerous other gi issues, so now I am doing a smoothie for dinner with flax meal in it. I am not eating a lot of solid foods, and am having a difficult time with constipation after I stopped the granola for a couple weeks because I was getting heartburn, decided to keep eating the granola anyways. I have tried other products recommended like magnesium citrate, bisacodyl, Smooth Move teat/senna, and none have helped me. I had 4 colonoscopies in 20 months, the last two were two day preps and two jugs which I could only get 1 1/4 down and they were able to do them, though they take hour and half not 20 minutes like "normal" people. I walk a mile in the morning. I use a squatty potty. I have bowel trained myself, so I get up at 6am most mornings, and sit on toilet for 15 minutes no matter what, which worked for long time, not so good now.

I have a redundant colon 🙁 I have been severely constipated since November and have been taking both Miralax and Meta Mucil daily since December 15th with no relief at all. Today we did abdominal x-rays and I am EXTREMELY blocked. Had a colonoscopy done in 2018 when we discovered it after having extreme bouts of constipation my whole life. It is brutal.

I learned I have a redundant colon last Dec when my gastroenterologist escorted me inside on an un-sedated colonoscopy. No wonder I've fought constipation most of my life! Having had classes in biology in HS and college the colonoscopy was great with minimum discomfort. Most people in the world aren't sedated for the procedure. Being 70 something, active and taking no meds, I use with the following: Am first thing 1 qt warm water and a few cups coffee. Ground flax and chia seeds soaked overnight in cranberry juice or prune juice or both is part of my breakfast too + being active and walking during the day + watch my electrolyte level is good since I drink a lot of water. Pm 2 Opti-Mag 125 + 1 K+2Potassium + (make sure Sodium and Magnesium and Potassium electrolytes balanced) If you're interested in going natural work on leaving out processed foods, most grains and sugar. Look up how the colon works osmotic gradation - we need to keep the whole pipe line watered + check out reducing FODMAP foods that may explain what's in the granola causing a problem + check out the migrating motor complex (MMC) related to vagus nerve too which is the ENS-programmed small intestinal motility pattern of the inter-digestive state. enteric nervous system. The enteric nervous system (ENS) or intrinsic nervous system is one of the main divisions of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and consists of a mesh-like system of neurons that governs the function of the gastrointestinal tract. There are foods that help but not FODMAP ones. Things like, humming, deep breathing, etc can help.
What is the Migrating Motor Complex & how to fix it
< https://www.goodnessme-nutrition.com › SIBO>
We gotta get coordinated with our longer then average pipe, oh bother! Best of luck, @farmersmith

You do a lot of good things already and every gut is different.

I have had a problem with supplements like Melatonin causing a "complete stop" to my gastric motility. Constipation is listed as a possible side effect of this sleep aid. Consider looking at your meds.

Also, consider if you are eating too much of a "good thing" -- your fiber supplement consumption. They sure don't work for me.

You could try to "clear out" your colon again and eat more vegetables (for example kobocha squash, parsnips, carrots and greens like mature spinach all "green-lighted" Monash low FODMAP foods) instead. And of course, sip water (warm or hot for me) throughout the day.

Everyone says your colon has to be well-watered and I agree. Easier to do with 4 smaller meals a day. Also consider only eating at mealtime, no grazing. Give your gut time to rest and digest. Make sure you are hungry (enough) when you eat.

Also, consider Slipper Elm (Inner Bark) tea. Sold by Frontier. From anyone is fine but it needs to be a good product. It supports the mucosal lining of your gut. I take 1/2 teaspoon in hot water upon rising. Most take much more. I'd try it right away if I were you.

I don't take melatonin, rarely if I can't sleep I take a half pill of Ambien. Only other meds I take are prilosec (40 mg 2/x day) pepcid 40mg at night and allergy meds/inhaler.
Fiber is a struggle, I have gastroparesis I was just diagnosed with last fall, so fiber is not good for that, but the redundant colon needs some at least! Low fiber is something I def do before my colonoscopies.
I drink 100 ounces a day of alkaline water (I also have LPR which is affecting my vocal cords) so I think I am good there.
I eat 5 small meals a day because of the gastroparesis. My concern is I am losing weight and when will it stop! I am ok for another 40 pounds, lost over 30 in 4 months so far. I have been referred to Geisinger so waiting to make that appt. Hoping they suggest surgery to fix at least 3 things!

I was losing weight for awhile, but due to something different -- spastic colon, IBS-C symptoms, and wide-ranging food intolerances. I was basically too uncomfortable to eat and almost everything I ate triggered these problems, so I lost 25 lb and became underweight. Once I got on top of these problems, my weight stabilized in a healthy range.

Sometimes a redundant colon really doesn't hurt a person too much
I assume you are not getting enough calories with your five small meals. Hopefully, you will be able to figure out what you can eat to maintain if not gain weight. A dietician, Ms. Google, or your doctor could help with that. I eat a lot of soups and hot cereal, teas and lattes, beside plain water. Too much solid food, like meat and fish, raw produce, doesn't sit right with me. All produce is cooked.

As far as your drugs go, you really aren't taking many at all. You may want to explore more drug options, if available, before undergoing surgery.

Regarding surgery, if you go that route, just go to the best, most gifted surgeon on your plan. I use all sorts of tricks to find doctors I may want to trust: where they went to school, their patient reviews, if they are Castle and Connolly listed, and if they specialize in my problem.

I would also encourage you to seek a second opinion.

In other words, exhaust all available non-surgical remedies.

Hugs,

Judy

Hello, I have redundant colon. I am trying to figure out how to eat also. I’ve never had a problem with constipation before. I had 4 months of liquid stools with 5 pound weight loss. Adding Miralax finally turned it around and I was back to normal.
Last week I suddenly became very bloated with abdominal tenderness. Plus I fill up fast with a small meal. I think this may be my colon rather than anything I’ve eaten?
I’m very concerned, almost scared that my colon will twist causing an emergent situation.
I will be talking to a GI Nurse Practitioner in 10 days.
I want to avoid surgery.
Any advise/hints on preventing this? I’m all ears!

I did have a redundant colon, had a sigmoid colonectomy last March. Surgeon said I was close to having peritonitis. Ever since, multiple BMs/day - up to 15. Wake me every night.
However, tests showed inflamed intestines, am on anti-inflammatories, down to 7BMs/day.

I really feel everyone’s experiences are so different. I’ve not received a whole of information from my dr.
Mine “seems” to be affected by stress and consistency of material in the colon and body position There are times I can actually feel it externally just at my hipbone. Thought I had a hernia. Nope. Internally it will either press against my hipbone or something in my female parts, or….both. Often when standing between 10-30 minutes. It will get progressively worse if I don’t lay down or majorly scoot down in a chair to the point I cannot walk or even get onto my bed w/o very major pain. Of course, the sooner I take steps to minimize, the less time I need to mitigate it. If it goes too long, I need to be in position for a half hour.
Have missed a couple of significant occasions….
The only suggestion I can give is be sure to never be constipated. Lots of produce and water all throughout each day. I believe constipation is what got me here.

Thank you!