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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researchmaven | @researchmaven | Sep 12, 2024
In reply to @cdeebar "After over 2 years of off & on constipation, 2 incomplete colonoscopies, & a 3rd more..." + (show)
@cdeebar

After over 2 years of off & on constipation, 2 incomplete colonoscopies, & a 3rd more invasive effort to complete a colonoscopy, the doctor diagnosed problem as Tortuous Colon. I will meet was a GI physician. I hope to visit with others experiencing same. Thanks!

Jump to this post

My colon is seriously redundant, but not twisted best I can tell. There is a lot of infomation here for redundant, torturous colon and the constipation it causes. I have posted lots, just search on ResearchMaven to see how I deal with it with a 90% success rate.

REPLY
misssuezq | @misssuezq | Sep 13, 2024

I have a redundant colon with chronic constipation. As many of you experience just when you figure out a way to help your constipation, it stops working. I’m looking for a new way and want to try magnesium but wasn’t sure if others on here recommend magnesium or magnesium citrate. I welcome your comments.

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18 replies
parrot53 | @parrot53 | Sep 13, 2024
In reply to @misssuezq "I have a redundant colon with chronic constipation. As many of you experience just when you..." + (show)
@misssuezq

I have a redundant colon with chronic constipation. As many of you experience just when you figure out a way to help your constipation, it stops working. I’m looking for a new way and want to try magnesium but wasn’t sure if others on here recommend magnesium or magnesium citrate. I welcome your comments.

Jump to this post

I use a teaspoon of Natural Vitality Calm in a cup of tea before bed. Be careful, it fizzes. I get it from Amazon.

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1 reply
misssuezq | @misssuezq | Sep 13, 2024
In reply to @parrot53 "I use a teaspoon of Natural Vitality Calm in a cup of tea before bed. Be..." + (show)
@parrot53

I use a teaspoon of Natural Vitality Calm in a cup of tea before bed. Be careful, it fizzes. I get it from Amazon.

Jump to this post

Thank you for your suggestion! 😊

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celia16 | @celia16 | Sep 13, 2024
In reply to @misssuezq "I have a redundant colon with chronic constipation. As many of you experience just when you..." + (show)
@misssuezq

I have a redundant colon with chronic constipation. As many of you experience just when you figure out a way to help your constipation, it stops working. I’m looking for a new way and want to try magnesium but wasn’t sure if others on here recommend magnesium or magnesium citrate. I welcome your comments.

Jump to this post

I take a brand I buy on Amazon daily after checking with my doctor. It’s one capsule of triple malate, glycinate and citrate 300 mg. I took it when chronic constipation started. I can’t say it helped. I no longer have the CC though, due to addressing my B12 issue.

I did find that a tablespoon of Milk of Magnesia always did the job though, none of my doctors approved that for longterm use. I’m not sure why. They recommended Miralax instead. Sigh.

REPLY
2 replies
emo | @emo | Sep 13, 2024
In reply to @misssuezq "I have a redundant colon with chronic constipation. As many of you experience just when you..." + (show)
@misssuezq

I have a redundant colon with chronic constipation. As many of you experience just when you figure out a way to help your constipation, it stops working. I’m looking for a new way and want to try magnesium but wasn’t sure if others on here recommend magnesium or magnesium citrate. I welcome your comments.

Jump to this post

I take 300 mg magnesium citrate capsules and it was working great for me but recently hasn’t been working as well. My doctor told me I could go up to 400 mg, so I’m trying that for now. Sources I’ve seen online by GI dieticians reference 400-800 mg for constipation.

I’ve tried Natural Calm too, in lemon raspberry. It tastes like raspberry iced tea to me, but for some reason it doesn’t seem as effective.

My other go-to has been chia seed pudding. I take two teaspoons of chia seeds and gel them in yogurt or a smoothie and/or kiwi. My GI doc actually recommended that. There’s a study that eating two green kiwi a day was effective in reducing constipation. Two actually gave me diarrhea lol.

It may be worth considering other contributing factors or consulting with a GI dietician. I got the most help from working with a pelvic PT (I have pelvic floor dysfunction and she also taught me abdominal massage, which you can look up online to improve motility. I imagine that may help with tortuous colon) and a GI dietician. I learned it’s actually possible to have too much fiber, especially in a situation like this where it’s hard for your body to move things along.

I found this article helpful (it’s where I found the info about the magnesium citrate dosage): https://www.fodmapeveryday.com/the-scoop-on-increasing-your-ability-to-poop-strategies-for-alleviating-constipation/.

Good luck to you!

REPLY
2 replies
misssuezq | @misssuezq | Sep 13, 2024
In reply to @celia16 "I take a brand I buy on Amazon daily after checking with my doctor. It’s one..." + (show)
@celia16

I take a brand I buy on Amazon daily after checking with my doctor. It’s one capsule of triple malate, glycinate and citrate 300 mg. I took it when chronic constipation started. I can’t say it helped. I no longer have the CC though, due to addressing my B12 issue.

I did find that a tablespoon of Milk of Magnesia always did the job though, none of my doctors approved that for longterm use. I’m not sure why. They recommended Miralax instead. Sigh.

Jump to this post

Thank you for the suggestions. Yes it seems like all doctors recommend Miralax.

REPLY
1 reply
misssuezq | @misssuezq | Sep 13, 2024
In reply to @emo "I take 300 mg magnesium citrate capsules and it was working great for me but recently..." + (show)
@emo

I take 300 mg magnesium citrate capsules and it was working great for me but recently hasn’t been working as well. My doctor told me I could go up to 400 mg, so I’m trying that for now. Sources I’ve seen online by GI dieticians reference 400-800 mg for constipation.

I’ve tried Natural Calm too, in lemon raspberry. It tastes like raspberry iced tea to me, but for some reason it doesn’t seem as effective.

My other go-to has been chia seed pudding. I take two teaspoons of chia seeds and gel them in yogurt or a smoothie and/or kiwi. My GI doc actually recommended that. There’s a study that eating two green kiwi a day was effective in reducing constipation. Two actually gave me diarrhea lol.

It may be worth considering other contributing factors or consulting with a GI dietician. I got the most help from working with a pelvic PT (I have pelvic floor dysfunction and she also taught me abdominal massage, which you can look up online to improve motility. I imagine that may help with tortuous colon) and a GI dietician. I learned it’s actually possible to have too much fiber, especially in a situation like this where it’s hard for your body to move things along.

I found this article helpful (it’s where I found the info about the magnesium citrate dosage): https://www.fodmapeveryday.com/the-scoop-on-increasing-your-ability-to-poop-strategies-for-alleviating-constipation/.

Good luck to you!

Jump to this post

Thank you. I love the chia seeds and kiwi!!!
Next month I have an appointment at the Pelvic Floor Center so hopefully I’ll learn some useful information.
I will check out the article

REPLY
1 reply
margaretsmith328 | @margaretsmith328 | Sep 13, 2024
In reply to @cdeebar "I just posted that I recently learned I have a Tortuous Colon, hoping to visit with..." + (show)
@cdeebar

I just posted that I recently learned I have a Tortuous Colon, hoping to visit with others experiencing the same. I hope we can talk….cdeebar

Jump to this post

Hi. I was just diagnosed as well. I experience severe constipation & stool leakage. It has effected my quality of life for the last 1 1/2 years.

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margaretsmith328 | @margaretsmith328 | Sep 13, 2024

Yes! And it has affected my quality of life!

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