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Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?
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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Me too starting to affect my whole life at 70
Don’t know what to do!
Vic
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1 Reactionviscats,
A couple of options:
1. At 70, we aren't worth the time and effort of the medical community, so we just wait for THE permanent solution.🤪😱jk
2. Decide what hurts the most for you, research and document everything.
3. Join groups like this, and keep asking questions, in vivid detail, using different wording, until you get what you need.
4. Decide to just live with a problem. I have had to do this, for example, with my OMG migraines. I no longer care what the cause(s) are, just treat the symptoms. My chronic 💩💩pain, 17 years of tests and "miracle drugs" that have no effect on me. So, I buy miralax in bulk and pray for the diarrhea to kick in. I should have bought stock in miralax years ago... at least I'd be a rich person, full of 💩💩😳
5. Get a boxing bag and put a drawing of your pain on it, then punch 🥊 it out, til you are too tired to care. I did this.
Ain't getting old the pits‼️‼️
ShelleyW
A torturous redundant colon can cause diarrhea if your bowel get so full of stool that liquid stool is forced around the hard stool that cannot be passed. This causes weight loss because you cannot eat when your G.I. tract is so full. that’s what makes you feel so bloated and uncomfortable. A CT scan will show a large stool burden, if that is the case. A colonoscopy does not show this since you’re cleaned out prior to the procedure.
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2 ReactionsI hope the MD finds a fix. If they do not, try changing how you eat if you haven't already. A liquidy diet for most meals helps me (I eat a lot of thin but nutritous, high protein hot cereals, smoothies and soups). Plus an extremely limited diet, which I believe is unique to me. While trying to find out what to do, I lost 25 lb and became underweight. I am now normal weight. Good luck and there is hope!
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2 Reactionsslkanowitz,
Really ‼️You're really good at explaining this 💩👍. I have had to ask for x-rays every few months, all showed mild to heavy fecal loads...my GI acted as if this was perfectly normal.(idiot, he's obviously never been 💩💩for years). Your explanation is exactly what happened when I was told, no obstruction issues, because I was so concerned I quit eating...then 3 months later, with only light solids I ended up in the ER. Maybe I will just quit all solid food and only drink. 🍷🥂, too bad I don't drink any alcohol, I can't stand the taste. ShelleyW
researchmaven,
👍 yes, I must eat small portions. I also have celiac, so I have gotten creative with hot rice cereal made with protein drink, instead of milk. We could probably compare diets, see who has the most bland and boring 🙄ShelleyW
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1 ReactionShelley I love your sense of humor! It’s the only way to deal with this stuff and maintain some sanity at the absurdity of it all! Your little emojis are so cute and appropriate 😀 you make me feel happy that I can make some sense of these dilemmas that bewilder us!
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2 ReactionsFor the acid excess, avoid citrus, caffeine, alcohol, acidic foods like tomato, vinegary salad dressing, etc. Creamy, non spicy foods are best. Then keep an arsenal of otc PPI like omeprazole or Nexium, a histamine 2 blocker like pepcid, and a chewable antacid tablet for purse and liquid antacid for nighttime GERD. The NSAIDS like ibuprofen and naproxen are bad culprits for excess stomach acid so use sparingly with food or milk. You can take all 3 meds if needed, listed strongest to weakest but the antacids work the fastest. . See your doctor if those things don’t work or persist over two weeks. Spring and fall are ulcer seasons for some reason. 😟
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1 ReactionI understand all you said. I never thought I’d be so nothing!
Vicki
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1 ReactionI could join you in the boring bland very limited diet as well. Stupid 💩 issues
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