Redundant/Tortuous Colon & Severe Constipation

Hi friend, I was using ZenWise Advanced Digestive Enzymes with pre and probiotics and got relief using them. I recently bit the bullet and had an endoscopy done that revealed I had a hiatal hernia which I think was the cause of a lot of my discomfort, Having been on the over-the-counter antacids for years, my doc felt they were not doing the job, and put me on a prescription that is working very well. Good luck to you

Hi JN, I am a young 63 and also have similar issues; I have a redundant colon with 13 extra inches. I have had severe constipation for 50 years. If one more doctor or therapist tells me to eat more fiber and drink more water, I am going to scream. A redundant, or tortuous colon is a "defect" in anatomy. Our colon twists and swirls and crowds in to fit. I am finally going to see a colorectal surgeon/ specialist to discuss options but thinking a colectomy will be the best, most sustainable option for me.
When you had the 14 inches of colon removed, is that the same surgery as a colectomy? Are you considering having a second colectomy?
Forgive my questions, though this has been a lifetime disorder for me, I am knew to actually trying to get real help!
Take care!
Robyn808

I am an active 50 and been living with this severely tortuous and redundant colon since 2 Endometriosis surgeries then my hysterectomy at 39. I was curious if it was the result of the surgeries from moving things around or scar tissue, I don’t know. My severe pain starts in area where your appendix or right ovary is then goes down towards righ groin. Been to ER before with this pain…morphine did not touch the pain. Constantly constipated I try to get all my greens and nutrients in with smoothies and soups but it’s not always easy. I don’t eat meat and minimal dairy. I woke up in such pain this AM it is so hard to get out of bed 😩 Does psyllium husk help anyone?

My colon is difficult like yours, fin 22, but I don't have pain. I also have other things going on with it; for example, I need to eat a very restricted diet.

I have discovered two other important changes: (1) avoid most solid food. Bread, meat, etc. just doesn't seem to work well in my gut. I focus on hot cereal and soup. What I choose is really healthy, and fairly balanced. I get a ton of protein, greens, other veggies, some fruit and I take a multi-vit.

If I didn't avoid most solid foods, I would be constipated all the time and/or experiencing IBS-C.

The second important change is slippery elm inner bark powder. I can't live without it and take 1/8 teaspoon with almost every meal and snack, either in hot cereal, hot cocoa, hot water, etc. I like the Frontier brand, which you can get on Amazon or iHerb, among other venues.

Though it is a big loss to have an extremely limited diet, it is far better than the gastric upset and constipation I was experiencing.

@finn22 how are you? Past y w Constipation here, going 1x wk. For 52 wks. I tried Artichoke root 8000mg. w 2 meals. Tossed that. 2- 3 d's later i try again, i accept 1 a
day. There's advice in here to help you go & 🛑. At yer own risk. Psyllium?

@researchmaven Slipper Elm inner bark powder. Hi how you doing today? I've eliminated red meat & pork & eaten fish n chix
y's. W rice ahhh wrong answer. Binds like concrete.
Fresh fruit & veggies. Doc says no fresh fruit n veg. Canned fruit & veg. No corn, seeds, nuts, skins. I thought docs diet was gonna help me. Still miserable w salmon, frozen spinach, can beets, sweet tates, w seeded squash. I've fasted 4 days for Gastric Emptying Scan. For T&W I ate salmon n sweet tates w minimal intake or I'll toss food. Yesterday poo balls in toilet look like chocolate w bubble gum wrapped in it. That's salmon. My gosh, not digesting fish properly. Not interested in wrap stomach around another organ. Or if they need remove dead colon tissue from the 3 blockages in 2021/22. Tests ran incl. EUS 2 mo ago. & 4y's CT''s, MRI, x-rays, U.S.'s, EGD- all these to confirm GERD, E.O.E., Chronic Gastritis- i aced these tests & walk away lighter in the financial & no further ahead. 5' 80#'s. Staying hydrated is mission today

affirmed Very torturous colon. But redundant colon in chart. GI ?'d
Painful stomach distensions to swollen intestine w no food I can clearly feel difference

Shawnkthryn -- Have you tried eating low FODMAP or a highly liquid diet? What supplements do you take? Based on my experience, finding the foods and supps that work for you could relieve a lot of symptoms.

@researchmaven I'm eating carrots, beets spinach, sweet potatoes, squash, outshine bars. That's what I found agrees w me. Boost 30mg & gatorade zero all day. 2 wks. going a little every day. Any suggestions

@shawnkthryn,

We are eating in a similar fashion. I have detailed what I eat a number of times on this platform.

Suggestions:

Slippery elm inner bark powder - I use 1/8 teaspoon with meals, 4-5 times a day. A game changer.
Magnesium at night - both good for consitpation and anxiety.
A multi-vitamin, due to a limited diet.
Digestive enzymes with every meal/snack. I use the Intoleran brand. A game changer.
Also a product to help me break down fats and proteins.

None of the above would work as well if I hadn't switched to a mostly soft-foods diet.

I also walk for 45 minutes and stretch.

This is a bare-bones outline, but you get the idea. I do all of this and my gut is pretty normal.