Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?

I, being a born sceptic suggest the advice on fiber shows, sadly, why they call it PRACTICING medicine. I just posted tonight and told my whole story. In general I follow my urges with a bit of caution on food. All my life I have been a meat eater and had my first salad at 18. Not really a good diet maybe but at 77, it has served. My other dietary likes also are guided by what SEEMS like a good food in the moment with a sound bit of caution when I feel I am straying.

Sounds like your urinary incontinence is probably from a pelvic floor issue. I have a redundant, tortuous bowel and had urinary incontinence. My Dr. prescribed Pelvic Floor PT and that has helped immensely!

Hi Jayne,
Disclaimer: This is my experience going natural. I have used organic, integrative, functional, holistic Naturopathic doctor's advice along with my MD’s since the early 1980's. There is science in alternatives too. Because I work closely with my ND, he told me to study the Migrating Motor Complex and Osmotic Gradient and he bet that I would find what worked for me. I had a longer thank normal pipe that needed consistent moisture….

I have tried laxatives and they are not consistent and have side effects like bloating, etc. And all say for occasional use. They disrupt the system if take continuously. I liked a response from a co-redundant colon person: “It’s physical” so regular constipation suggestions may not work.

Last Dec the doc had me do non sedated colonoscopy. He could get through my colon as I watched on TV. I had had a baby years ago (natural and could stand pain) so figured I could stand it – it was no big deal. Most people in world don't get put out. Very interesting and it helped allow the scope to get through because I relaxed. No wonder I had been constipation on and off starting in my teens. I’m now in my early 70’s.

OptiMag and K2+Potassium are great supps. I take them when I go to bed and once if I get up to pee. Be sure to eat prunes, winter squash, sweet potatoes, rhubarb etc in your diet. I like to grind 2T chia, T of sesame seeds and 2 T flax seeds, then soak in prune juice overnight. Take half in the morning and half at night. Throw sugar out, processed and refined foods. Drink lots of water starting with a quart of hot water in the morning - boyscouts. I start my day with regularity for BM. Coffee and Smooth Move are my back ups. I don't like coffee and never have drunk it much but it usually works for me in a pinch. Thankfully I only need coffee a few times a month.

Research of biological processes that take place in our gut is helpful:
- Migrating Motor complex which is the electroactivity in the GI tract during meals and fasting
- Osmotic gradient. If too much water is pulled into the colon, diarrhea results. If not enough water is pulled into the colon constipation results. Balance of minerals is important. Magnesium, potassium and sodium brings water into the colon. I have found balancing these help prevent constipated. I have to watch my calcium intake because it tends to encourage constipation. Calcium carbonate seems to be the most constipating. I depend on blood work from time to time to make sure my minerals are balanced.
It took me a little over 4 months to be regular and wow is it great. Good luck you can do it, @farmersmith

Good luck @katey122, I found that working through the worry of always being constipated helped me too. Relaxation along with good physical activity helps and PT to learn best sitting and breathing. Also knowing coffee and smooth move are handy back ups for me helps me relax. My ND's words, "it is a condition that will need continuous intervention." It needs our attention even when we figure out our best regularity plan. The reality again is we have a longer than average pipe with proper osmotic gradient or moisture so blockage doesn't happen.
To health and regularity,
@farmersmith

Hi! I’m so happy I found this site! I had a colonoscopy yesterday. I’m told I have a tortuous colon. Halfway into the colon the scope broke and they had to use a pediatric scope. Today I am so sore. I have been have a problem with bloating and I think it is from my colon. I was looking at the foods you shouldn’t eat and I eat all of them thinking I’m eating healthy. I go back to the doctor in a few weeks and I am going to see what he recommends. Thank you for the info I have already learned from all of you

I had a tortuous redundant colon. I had a partial colectomy where they took out the part that was looped over my liver. I have not been back to the ER since, (for my stomach). before that I was in the ER 3 times a month with terrible pain. If your pain continues through today, I would call your doctor.

I’m back, after a little over a year? I go 2 wks w/out BM’s..I can’t go w/out some help..I used to be able to drink “Smooth Move” herbal tea, prune juice…after 2 weeks with no results, would take Linzess. But the pain is unbearable anymore.
I don’t know what to do…I may have said this previously, not sure, (forgive repeat if so). Had lots of pain pre rev, now it’s unbearable. I remembered the other day that my GI Dr. I had seen for 4-5 yrs told me the last time I saw her that she thought my gut issues were related to my hip implant, (at that time, it was m.o.m.)
Here I am 4yrs later & it’s just worse!
Should I see another GI or orthopedic?
Help
@sickofbeinsick

I’d say a gastro first. It appears we need to be straightforward and assertive with the drs.
Have you tried apple pectin? It’s a natural fiber, plus. Prunes? I can change the dosage as needed. Rhubarb, sweet potatoes, at least half your body weight in ounces of water?
Sure hope you find relief!

I have not heard of apple pectin, I have tried EVERY OTC for constipation, to no avail, as well as milk o magnesia, magnesium citrate (which historically has worked, always)…but i don’t feel constipated, in fact, no urge at all. Sometimes, after long periods of not going, I’ve noticed there is NO noise…no normal gut sounds at all. I also had swelling in lower back over hip with crippling pain…was on my cane for 3-4 days , then pain stopped. So I’m walking normal now. Not to mention, brain fog. I use that term loosely, because my memory is so bad…I only notice when I do remember something. I’m tired of being in bed & crying for weeks at a time.

Gastro. New dr? Keep going til you get some answers.
It seems as though drs don’t want to deal with this. We need to be more assertive!
Good luck to you!!!