1. < Digestive Health
Profile picture for onaquest

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

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

Profile picture for shelleyW
shelleyW | @shelleyw | Oct 13, 2024
In reply to @vicscats "I understand all you said. I never thought I’d be so nothing! Vicki" + (show)
Profile picture for vicscats @vicscats

I understand all you said. I never thought I’d be so nothing!
Vicki

Jump to this post

viscats,
You, we, are NOT nothing..... but the course in med school that teaches:
Human compassion: To be a good doctor you MUST treat the whole patient as a person, not just an illness....has been removed completely from med school. Most of our medical professionals have turned to practicing this seriously flawed method...🤯🤬and we pay the highest emotional and physical toll for this huge failure.
Hey, everyone else gets to go on strikes to protest for wages and benefits, wouldn't it be stupendous if we could all go on strike, stop paying our premiums , do you think if our doctors were paid for their "cured patient care ", they might pay attention to how much they are hurting us all 👿 oops, I am ranting, I think I should go to bed now . ShelleyW

REPLY
Profile picture for shelleyW
shelleyW | @shelleyw | Oct 13, 2024
In reply to @misssuezq "I could join you in the boring bland very limited diet as well. Stupid 💩 issues" + (show)
Profile picture for misssuezq @misssuezq

I could join you in the boring bland very limited diet as well. Stupid 💩 issues

Jump to this post

misssuezq,
FABULOUS....you can be one of the charter members 👍🤪 👎🏼 I couldn't decide if this is a good thing or a bad thing.
ShelleyW

REPLY
Profile picture for shelleyW
shelleyW | @shelleyw | Oct 13, 2024
In reply to @slkanowitz "Shelley I love your sense of humor! It’s the only way to deal with this stuff..." + (show)
Profile picture for slkanowitz @slkanowitz

Shelley 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!

Jump to this post

slkanowitz,
YAY! Thanx for your kind comment. You explained something to to me and I helped you with a moment of smile, I am going to try and make my thick dumb brain, see and remember this as a plus ✅ in the success column. ShelleyW

REPLY
Profile picture for researchmaven
researchmaven | @researchmaven | Oct 13, 2024
In reply to @shelleyw "researchmaven, 👍 yes, I must eat small portions. I also have celiac, so I have gotten..." + (show)
Profile picture for shelleyW @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

Jump to this post

Ditto on small portions. Comparing cereal plans, I use (because I have to) LiveKuna plantain flour for my hot cereal. I cook it with liquid egg whites, pea protein isolate powder and Lactaid milk and water. 100% Stevia to sweeten. I change it up with the spices and flavorings I can tolerate. I make it a variety of ways. The longer I do this, the easier it gets.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for shortiseltzer
shortiseltzer | @shortiseltzer | Oct 13, 2024
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @shortiseltzer and welcome to Mayo Connect. As you can see, Mayo Connect is a great..." + (show)
Profile picture for Teresa, Volunteer Mentor @hopeful33250

Hello @shortiseltzer and welcome to Mayo Connect. As you can see, Mayo Connect is a great way to learn from the experiences of others. You are probably glad to find the reason for the diarrhea and weight loss.

While you wait for the biopsy results, you might try keeping a food diary, as suggested by @shelleyw. This might give you some clues as to any foods that are triggers for diarrhea.

I look forward to hearing from you again. I hope you will continue to share your journey with this diagnosis. When do you expect to get the biopsy results?

Jump to this post

My biopsy should be completed within 10 days. I’m going to start a journal as suggested by many members.

REPLY
Profile picture for shortiseltzer
shortiseltzer | @shortiseltzer | Oct 13, 2024
In reply to @shelleyw "shortiseltzer, My reply has some jest.🤪 Be happy you have diarrhea and weight loss vs chronic..." + (show)
Profile picture for shelleyW @shelleyw

shortiseltzer,
My reply has some jest.🤪
Be happy you have diarrhea and weight loss vs chronic constipation and weight gain. The doctors have no problem blaming the patient, for everything, when there is weight gain involved. Diarrhea trips can count toward your 10,000 steps a day.🥴
The best foods for diarrhea, nausea, and constipation are- 3 saltines, followed by sips of 7-up.
Bland- is perfect for food and whatever your gut is telling you.
A journal was suggested by another member (I'm sorry I forgot your name). Track everything, going in, coming out, 💩💩description. See if you can connect a food, to a time of day, to resulting symptoms. Also track meds .I have been doing this for 17 years , it has provided me with some connections. A secondary benefit of the journal is, you can prove to YOURSELF and doctors that you are indeed in pain.
I know you are in pain and distress and it 👿👎🏼🤬. You are definitely in a great forum to learn and share. I hope you get answers and relief soon.
Good Vibes coming your way, ShelleyW

Jump to this post

Thank you for your reply. My name is Tonya. Yes, I would rather have diarrhea than constipation, as it can become very serious. But it still affects my daily life. Lol on the trips counting as steps. I will definitely start a journal as many members suggest. I am very happy I found this forum in hopes of not feeling alone in this unfortunate journey.

REPLY
Profile picture for shortiseltzer
shortiseltzer | @shortiseltzer | Oct 13, 2024
In reply to @vicscats "Me too starting to affect my whole life at 70 Don’t know what to do! Vic" + (show)
Profile picture for vicscats @vicscats

Me too starting to affect my whole life at 70
Don’t know what to do!
Vic

Jump to this post

I hope you find answers as well and help. Wishing you the best!

REPLY
Profile picture for shortiseltzer
shortiseltzer | @shortiseltzer | Oct 13, 2024
In reply to @slkanowitz "A torturous redundant colon can cause diarrhea if your bowel get so full of stool that..." + (show)
Profile picture for slkanowitz @slkanowitz

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.

Jump to this post

Thank you for your reply. No one has explained it to me like this but it makes sense. I had a CT scan a few years ago for kidney stones and a tortuous colon was never mentioned. Should I ask about a new CT scan?

REPLY
Profile picture for shortiseltzer
shortiseltzer | @shortiseltzer | Oct 13, 2024
In reply to @researchmaven "I hope the MD finds a fix. If they do not, try changing how you eat..." + (show)
Profile picture for researchmaven @researchmaven

I 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!

Jump to this post

Thank you, I am 43 and down to 108lbs, definitely underweight. I have limited my diet as I’m a server and cannot run to the bathroom in a moments notice. Beyond that, I hate having to plan my day around how close a restroom is. I have always been a “picky eater” but I have become extremely picky since dealing with this. Sometimes I give in to my food urges but end up paying for it in the long run. (No pun intended)

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for researchmaven
researchmaven | @researchmaven | Oct 13, 2024
In reply to @shortiseltzer "I’ve been dealing with weight loss, diarrhea, bloating, gas feeling full and acid buildup. I had..." + (show)
Profile picture for shortiseltzer @shortiseltzer

I’ve been dealing with weight loss, diarrhea, bloating, gas feeling full and acid buildup. I had my first colonoscopy/ upper endoscopy and it revealed that I have a torturous colon.I’m currently taking anti diarrheal, acid reducer and nausea meds as needed.
I’m very interested to hear about what foods are easier with this issue/ issues. I have not had much luck with most foods except bland.

Jump to this post

Shortiseltzer -- And you don't have IBS-D, right? It doesn't have to be to tortuous colon, unless the evidence points to it (stool plug, pain, etc.). And it is not bacterial as they have checked that? I know my general anxiety can really set off my IBS, in addition to most foods. The gut-brain connection is really a thing for me. A doctor will often diagnose IBS after all other things are ruled out.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.