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Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?
Hello. Anyone else out there that has a redundant/ tortured colon? I was diagnosed with this a few years ago. I’m usually ok, but if I get constipated, I get sick for a week or two. Last year my gastroenterologist referred me to a surgeon for urgent surgery to remove some of my colon. The surgeon I ended up seeing (not on the recommended list by my gastro doc due to others not available for a long time) said he believed I could live with the redundant colon if I followed a low FODMAP diet. I tried the diet religiously, scientifically (I’m a scientist), and I found it’s not the food I eat that causes these bouts of constipation. The only item I’ve found that might cause the bouts is coffee every day. An occasional coffee seems fine. What has helped me stay regular in a big way is Benefiber (or any pure wheat dextrose generic) three times per day. Lots of fluid.
My gastro doc was upset with the surgeon and said I’d regret not having the surgery. He fears I will end up in an emergency situation. I have searched the Mayo site and don’t find anything about redundant/ tortured colon. Are any Mayo docs doing research or treat this condition? Anyone else suffer from this too?
Thank you! -Jayne
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I've had all the symptoms that this brings on, but just had the dx of redundant colon with my colonoscopy earlier this week. Never before has this come up with any other CT scans in the past few years and another colonoscopy back in '19. Right upper abdominal pain and clinching to the point of where it feels like a softball is inside me. Every CT scan I have had show excessive stool in my system even though I've taken linzess, and OTC motility supplements, and adhere to a low fat/low sugar diet. Similar to others here, that jammed up feeling then kicks off the feeling like crap , and not being able to go #2. My bile duct has been detached from the stomach and reattached to the small intestine to avoid the excessive bile that was building up in my stomach, hence having the surgery back in late '19.
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4 ReactionsIt is what it is. I have had 5 abdominal surgeries starting with a burst appendix surgery leading to 3 incisional hernia surgeries.
Every time the surgeons go into your belly you can, and probably will develop adhesions. This could also be caused by redundant colon and adhesions.
I am to the point surgery is not possible anymore as my diverticulosis makes my colon too weak for more surgery and a resection. I have been to many specialist and surgeons to find I just have to live with my daily pain and discomfort. I am mostly on a liquid diet. Stay away from food that is difficult to go down the kitchen sink like beef, and stringy veggies.
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3 Reactions40 years ago when I had my first colonoscopy, the gastroenterologist told me that my intestinal tract is 2 feet longer than normal. Is that Long Colon? I know I've been bothered with chronic constipation/nausea/bloating (and then every 3rd or 4th day horrible diarrhea) all my life, also my mother and her mother same thing. (Which of course, as soon as the medicos hear about mom and grandma, it's "Hereditary! Nothing can be done.")
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1 ReactionI had a several impacted bowels before my colonoscopy in March 2023 and had to go to emergency because of the extreme pain. I then had my colonoscopy in March 2023 and about 10 days after that I started having obstructed bowels (3 times last year). I was hospitalized each of those times.
It seems very strange that my impacted bowels changed to obstructed just after have the colonoscopy but the GI specialists do not have an answer to that.
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1 ReactionObstructions have nothing to do with the colonoscopy. For some reason the impaction started you obstructed issues. Mine all started with a burst appendix in 2015.
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1 ReactionThe doctors didn't seem to think it was related to the colonoscopy because they never wanted to expand that conversation. So sorry you had a burst appendix in 2015.
My experience is that I’ve had a constipation problem all my life and I’m now 73.
I have sorted the At last …, it is a long and tortuous colon or redundant colon as it is often called.
I take a cosmocol sachet every day which draws water into the colon and fibre every meal but at breakfast a spoonful of chicory root fibre, plus seeds nuts fruit…
Also have gone gluten free… so far , it’s several months now I’ve had normal bowel movements daily..
Amazing 😀 try it..🤞😘
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5 ReactionsMay I ask what is cosmopolitan sachet? Taking fiber everyday is a no go for me as it makes me bloated.
Glad to hear you are feeling better!
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2 ReactionsFor me I became worse 24 hours post colonoscopy/endoscopy. Worse as in very plugged up/bloated, and pain upper R abdomen that then radiates into my lower back. Just feel more sickly when this happens, and basically cannot eat any solids. Am going in today for a blood draw to check enzyme levels (live/pancrease). The doc who did this procedure mentioned as you get older it is more common to have a redundant colon. So what to do about it now the question, I really don't care if this is more common as one ages (is that really true?), how I feel now at age 60 isn't acceptable for however many more years I have to live.
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2 ReactionsYes, you are too young to have to live like that for the rest of your life. I am 76 and don 't want to live like this for the rest of my life and my life is probably way shorter than yours. Wish there were some answers.
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