1. < Digestive Health

Severe Tortuous & Redundant Colon

Posted by julsnealey @julsnealey, Apr 10 11:41am

I had a colonoscopy for symptoms of unexpected weight loss, severe pain, bloating, early satiety and chronic vomiting with bowel movements. I have had these symptoms for years (15), but they have increased in frequency and severity. The doctor discovered severe tortuosity and redundant colon. He said he had to get help in moving the scope through manually the very tight turns and twists. My question is: What medications have proven successful to management? Best diet? Doctor said it was so bad that surgery may be the best course of action, but they try and avoid that for obvious reasons. Anyone have a success story?

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catherine1290 | @catherine1290 | Apr 15 7:55am

I too have the same condition. There is no medication that will help with this. My gastroenterologist could not do the colonoscopy due to the narrowed colon. She sent me to Advanced Enterology and that Dr did a balloon dilation which opened the colon and made it wider.

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1 reply
julsnealey | @julsnealey | Apr 15 10:46am
In reply to @catherine1290 "I too have the same condition. There is no medication that will help with this. My..." + (show)
@catherine1290

I too have the same condition. There is no medication that will help with this. My gastroenterologist could not do the colonoscopy due to the narrowed colon. She sent me to Advanced Enterology and that Dr did a balloon dilation which opened the colon and made it wider.

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Oh! I haven't heard of this before. I will need to do some research and see if that could help with my issues, I am looking at all options!

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1 reply
catherine1290 | @catherine1290 | Apr 15 2:15pm
In reply to @julsnealey "Oh! I haven't heard of this before. I will need to do some research and see..." + (show)
@julsnealey

Oh! I haven't heard of this before. I will need to do some research and see if that could help with my issues, I am looking at all options!

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Good luck!

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difrnt1 | @difrnt1 | Apr 20 2:22pm
In reply to @julsnealey "When I woke up from the colonoscopy the doctor said that I may be sore as..." + (show)
@julsnealey

When I woke up from the colonoscopy the doctor said that I may be sore as they had to "move me" in different positions to get the scope to advance through the sharp turns and it was very severe. I am curious, what made them decide to do the surgery? Do you feel it has helped ? Is your life more normal now? I appreciate your help. When I leave the house I carry a dog poo bag with me so if I have a sudden bout of this (as it happens very quickly and without warning) when the "purge" decides to purge... so that I have something to throw up in while I am having diarrhea. In my house, every bathroom has a bowl near the toilet, although I have had to use waste paper baskets as well.

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It did help but I had the constipation. Certain meds cause the same issues. I take Lactulose which helps

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2 replies
debschmitt | @debschmitt | Apr 22 9:21am
In reply to @difrnt1 "It did help but I had the constipation. Certain meds cause the same issues. I take..." + (show)
@difrnt1

It did help but I had the constipation. Certain meds cause the same issues. I take Lactulose which helps

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I also take Lactulose. It's the only laxative that works, and not all the time. So much I have to manage with food, and routines of when to eat and how much or how little to eat. I carry food with me at all times and try not to schedule any appointments before 10 am, since it usually takes me that long to settle my system. Surgery is out for me due to age and the thinning of my skin. Good Luck! It is such an invisible disease that most people just don't understand, even medical professionals.

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1 reply
julsnealey | @julsnealey | Apr 22 2:25pm
In reply to @debschmitt "I also take Lactulose. It's the only laxative that works, and not all the time. So..." + (show)
@debschmitt

I also take Lactulose. It's the only laxative that works, and not all the time. So much I have to manage with food, and routines of when to eat and how much or how little to eat. I carry food with me at all times and try not to schedule any appointments before 10 am, since it usually takes me that long to settle my system. Surgery is out for me due to age and the thinning of my skin. Good Luck! It is such an invisible disease that most people just don't understand, even medical professionals.

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Is Lactulose an over the counter medication? I also try and time my eating or avoid eating as well. I tend to have the most pain and vomiting in the morning hours as well, so I also try and arrange my days around that as well, although seems to be less predictable.

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1 reply
debschmitt | @debschmitt | Apr 22 9:27pm
In reply to @julsnealey "Is Lactulose an over the counter medication? I also try and time my eating or avoid..." + (show)
@julsnealey

Is Lactulose an over the counter medication? I also try and time my eating or avoid eating as well. I tend to have the most pain and vomiting in the morning hours as well, so I also try and arrange my days around that as well, although seems to be less predictable.

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Lactose is a prescription med. sounds like you’re making some good adjustments. I’m constantly leaning new things about my diet. I find that being in a calm environment and peaceful frame of mind is just as important as diet, at least for me.

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debschmitt | @debschmitt | Apr 22 9:30pm
In reply to @difrnt1 "It did help but I had the constipation. Certain meds cause the same issues. I take..." + (show)
@difrnt1

It did help but I had the constipation. Certain meds cause the same issues. I take Lactulose which helps

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Was wondering how often do you take lactose? Do you have any side effects? I’ve been taking it for 3 months. I’ve noticed an increase in bloating.

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1 reply
difrnt1 | @difrnt1 | Apr 26 1:13pm
In reply to @debschmitt "Was wondering how often do you take lactose? Do you have any side effects? I’ve been..." + (show)
@debschmitt

Was wondering how often do you take lactose? Do you have any side effects? I’ve been taking it for 3 months. I’ve noticed an increase in bloating.

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I take 15 ML once a day(at bed time)

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1 reply
farmersmith | @farmersmith | Apr 27 11:33am

Last Dec the doc had me do non sedated colonoscopy. He could get through the colon as I watched on TV. I had had a baby years ago so figured I could stand it - no big deal. Most people in world don't get put out. Very interested and help allow getting through because I relaxed. Look up Osmotic gradients and Migrating motor complex and consider your electrolyte balance. OptiMag and K2+ Potassium are great supps and be sure to include prunes, squash, sweet potatoes, rhubarb etc in your diet. Throw out the sugar, processed and refined foods and drink lot of water starting with a quart of hot water in the morning. Coffee and Smooth move are my back ups. I don't like coffee. Good luck, @farmersmith

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