Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?

Thank you cuddle bug . Very interesting, I shall have to read it another couple of times to digest it as it’s soooo long ! ( pardon the puns ).
But it’s always of interest to see how others cope and try different things 🙏
Best wishes
Sheila

I would like join this group as I have a torturous twisted sigmoid colon

Is this group still open. I couldn't find on facebook. how will I know if I'm in the group?

Hi Jayne,
This is a long one too.
Disclaimer: This is only 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. It's how to keep a longer than normal pipe with consistent moisture…. My ND also said because my condition was physical, attention would be needed from now on.
I tried laxatives and they are not consistent and have side effects like bloating, etc. All say for occasional use. They disrupt the system if taken continuously. I liked a response from a co-redundant colon person: “It’s physical” so regular constipation suggestions may not work. Don’t give up because it took me 4 months to feel I could depend on being regular. It is worth going natural.
Last Dec the doc had me do non sedated colonoscopy. He went 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 when I get up to pee. I include prunes/prune juice, winter squash, sweet potatoes, rhubarb etc in my diet. I eat cups of steamed vegetables each day. I like to grind 2T chia, 1 T sesame seeds and 2 T flax seeds, then soak in prune juice overnight. I add a T of carob now since it can help regularity. Take half in the morning and half at night. Throw sugar out along with processed and refined foods. Look up foods and drinks that constipate and give them up. At least leave them out for a while. Drink lots of water starting with a quart of hot water in the morning - boy scouts. I use warmed up diluted chicken broth at times too. It is soothing to my stomach. 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. Interesting it works backwards for you with coffee.
Check out helpful research of biological processes that take place in our gut:
- 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 constipation. 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.
I am overjoyed with my regularity but know if I get too stressed, don't drink enough fluid - dehydrated, don't exercise and or eat constipating foods like milk and cheese. I will need my back ups. Thankfully I seldom am irregular now. I have very ample regulars daily.
Good luck, @farmersmith

I have a tortuous colon. I don't think it's that uncommon. I recently had a sigmoid colonoscopy and afterwards the g.i. told a few of his patients have same problem. After emailing multiple times about how I was evacuating fecus he said if I was interested he would give me a name of a surgeon who performs sigmoid colon resection. After reading some articles I was afraid and canceled the appt w surgeon. I am elderly woman.

Try changing your diet, dfloyd1133, surgery is crazy for a bit of mucus! It could be an IBS-type symptom from a particular food item.

You must be in because you’re included in this conversation! 👍

I know this is old, but I am wfpb and my redundant colon didn't bother me at all(3-4 bowel movements a day) until February 2022. My wfpb doctor thinks my colon twisted and turned to a different position. I had excruciating pain for a solid 2 months. My high fiber diet has done nothing for me. The only time I'm good is if I consistently eat 2-3 servings of fruit a day. I've gained 30 lbs over the last almost 3 years. Part of the gain is from the colon issue and part of it is from eating more foods with oil.

mskaren2009,

What helps me is slippery elm inner bark powder. I eat some with every meal and snack by dissolving it in warm or hot liquid, adding to pancakes or hot cereal, etc.

My dose is 1/8 teaspoon each time, but I am sensitive to everything and always use less than others.

Give it a try if you like. It supports the mucosa and that why I think I benefit. It helps stool move through my severely redundant colon. Note that I have no pain to date; I am just extremely constipation-prone.

Slippery elm inner bark powder. Where do you get this product? Sounds extremely beneficial. Thanks