1. < Digestive Health

Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?

Posted by onaquest @onaquest, Nov 7, 2018

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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chronos1 | @chronos1 | Aug 13 12:26pm
In reply to @researchmaven "Ignoring food choices, consider soups, smoothies and porridges. Liquidy foods to go around the curves. Also..." + (show)
@researchmaven

Ignoring food choices, consider soups, smoothies and porridges. Liquidy foods to go around the curves.

Also slippery elm inner bark tea. It supports the mucosa. A lack of "slip" in the colon can contribute to constipation. I also eat foods that act as stimulant laxatives at night - kiwi and rhubarb.

I also take a very small dose of Zoloft. It helps with constipation (side effect) and the anxiety trigger I have for IBS. I can't handle many drugs and cut the 25 mg Zoloft pill into quarters and that is the right dose for me. Also Intoleran digestive enzymes for carbohydrates and lactose.

Looking at food choices, I am highly FODMAP sensitive and only eat about 15 foods. Non-meat proteins. No grains. It's pretty radical but it works.

All my best to you!

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Thank you for insight into your self help tips. I will try and incorporate them. Unfortunately though it’s been recommended to me I haven’t been following the fodmap diet but things are so problematic now that I most definitely will need to revise my food choices. Thank you. And I hope things continue working well for you.

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1 reply
irishmazy62 | @irishmazy62 | Aug 13 1:11pm
In reply to @kimmyi "Anyone have an elongated tortuous? I just found out five mins ago . I was also..." + (show)
@kimmyi

Anyone have an elongated tortuous? I just found out five mins ago . I was also told I have diverticulosis a couple of years ago! OMG ! My stomach is so bloated I look pregnant!

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I started with diverticulosis and now have divirticulitis. I’ve had to go to the emergency room it colitis. I’m so compassionate for people who are sick I’ve been through so much in my life 11 surgeries later for different things

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researchmaven | @researchmaven | Aug 14 8:47am
In reply to @chronos1 "Thank you for insight into your self help tips. I will try and incorporate them. Unfortunately..." + (show)
@chronos1

Thank you for insight into your self help tips. I will try and incorporate them. Unfortunately though it’s been recommended to me I haven’t been following the fodmap diet but things are so problematic now that I most definitely will need to revise my food choices. Thank you. And I hope things continue working well for you.

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The Monash Food App is a life-saver for the FODMAP diet.

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lesliejones | @lesliejones | Sep 5 4:03pm

Hi, I have a torturous colon and have had bouts of constipation, some diarrhea, stomach pain and nausea. I am taking Konsyl Daily Psyllium fiber capsules, Florastor Probiotic, and MiraLax when constipated for a few days. I take ondansetron for nausea. (Prescription). About 5 years ago I was diagnosed with SIBO, but that was treated with a special antibiotic and was on a strict diet. That is gone now. I took Iberogast which helps with motility last spring…was great for awhile, but ended up with diarrhea. I recently was constipated for 6 days…that was scary, but finally was able to have a bowel movement. Now I am being careful and making sure I am able to go at least every 3 days…though, my bowel movements are round pebbles, but at least I am going. I do drink coffee every day, but had not heard that it is constipating. I will try to avoid it. I am 77 years old and do not want to have surgery. I am very tired of the symptoms and not feeling well and looking for a bathroom. Trying to enjoy life, but with this it is not easy….

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3 replies
lesliejones | @lesliejones | Sep 5 4:36pm
In reply to @eppie "Even though you feel like a burden to your mom, as I feel I am with..." + (show)
@eppie

Even though you feel like a burden to your mom, as I feel I am with my family and friends (especially my husband) too, they keep reminding me that they help and take care of me because that is what families and friends do. I feel tremendous guilt at times as well, but I try to remind myself that if it were the other way around I would do whatever it takes to be there for my family as well. Feeling guilt is a useless emotion. None of us are intentionally being sick or seeking attention.

People also tend to give advice or say stupid things like it's stress because they want to help and they don't know what else to say. I know they think these comments will make us feel better, when in fact it has the opposite effect. I have become very out spoken lately and started telling people that when Im not feeling well, and I tell you about my issues of the day, I'm just venting. I add that i'm not looking for an answer or advice. If I'm not asking for help I really don't want it. I just want you to listen and not say anything because there's nothing to say. A simple i'm sorry you're going through this is all that needs to be said. I have found this to be a tremendous help, especially with my mother. I have to remind her often that I just want her to listen and not give advice, but being straight forward has helped a lot. I don't know your relationship, but it's worth a shot for you to speak up that it bothers you when she's says things like it's stress.

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My husband thinks he knows what is best for me…he thinks I need to be on some kind of a special diet. Really he doesn’t understand this tortuous colon. I think I will try to eliminate coffee…I can’t imagine that that is constipating me, but I will try that. I wonder if tea is better…

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dougmcougars | @dougmcougars | Sep 6 11:02am

I have the same problem and can go for a week without going. Fortunately I don’t have any stomach pain. Have you noticed if crackers or dense crusty bread makes it worse? Those will cause bloating and mucous discharge and really bad constipation to me.

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1 reply
lesliejones | @lesliejones | Sep 6 3:33pm
In reply to @dougmcougars "I have the same problem and can go for a week without going. Fortunately I don’t..." + (show)
@dougmcougars

I have the same problem and can go for a week without going. Fortunately I don’t have any stomach pain. Have you noticed if crackers or dense crusty bread makes it worse? Those will cause bloating and mucous discharge and really bad constipation to me.

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Not sure…I have to be aware of that…

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irishmazy62 | @irishmazy62 | Sep 7 8:35am
In reply to @lesliejones "Hi, I have a torturous colon and have had bouts of constipation, some diarrhea, stomach pain..." + (show)
@lesliejones

Hi, I have a torturous colon and have had bouts of constipation, some diarrhea, stomach pain and nausea. I am taking Konsyl Daily Psyllium fiber capsules, Florastor Probiotic, and MiraLax when constipated for a few days. I take ondansetron for nausea. (Prescription). About 5 years ago I was diagnosed with SIBO, but that was treated with a special antibiotic and was on a strict diet. That is gone now. I took Iberogast which helps with motility last spring…was great for awhile, but ended up with diarrhea. I recently was constipated for 6 days…that was scary, but finally was able to have a bowel movement. Now I am being careful and making sure I am able to go at least every 3 days…though, my bowel movements are round pebbles, but at least I am going. I do drink coffee every day, but had not heard that it is constipating. I will try to avoid it. I am 77 years old and do not want to have surgery. I am very tired of the symptoms and not feeling well and looking for a bathroom. Trying to enjoy life, but with this it is not easy….

Jump to this post

I realize we are not alone. There are a lot of us out there. I to have tortuous colon I believe since birth. This condition took so much out of my life. I suffered not only from this condition but painful periods. I finally found out after suffering so much pain, I had two huge dermoid tumors on both ovaries . I had surgery to remove one ovary and 7/8 of the other. I could go on but I have so much sympathy and caring for people going through this. I am now 72.

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vicscats | @vicscats | Sep 7 4:48pm

I have it too now that I’m older I can barely manage this condition
Lots of twisting and what seems like temporary blocksages some lasting a couple very painful hits
Has anyone else had this? I asked dr why the can’t just take some out?
Vicki

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2 replies
vicscats | @vicscats | Sep 7 4:49pm
In reply to @vicscats "I have it too now that I’m older I can barely manage this condition Lots of..." + (show)
@vicscats

I have it too now that I’m older I can barely manage this condition
Lots of twisting and what seems like temporary blocksages some lasting a couple very painful hits
Has anyone else had this? I asked dr why the can’t just take some out?
Vicki

Jump to this post

Painful hours

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