Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?

https://www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-disease/ulcerative-colitis/uc-smoking-the-link

Hi Annbk
Best of luck. Stick with it and you can find just the fit for you! I am so glad I didn't even consider surgery after finding out about my longer than usual colon! You can form fit the changes you need for just you. Be sure to be active too.
Disclaimer: Only my experience going natural for chronic constipation and come to find out redundant colon. 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.
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 something that worked for me. Goal: how to keep a longer than normal pipe consistently moist…. 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.
Dec 2023 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 in the night. I include prunes/prune juice, winter squash, sweet potatoes, rhubarb etc in my diet. I eat cups of steamed vegetables each day. I grind 2T chia, 1 T sesame seeds and 2 T flax seeds, then soak in prune juice overnight. I add a T or two of carob now since it can help regularity. Take half in the morning and half at night or all in the morning. Throw sugar out along with processed and refined foods. Look up foods and drinks that constipate and give them up, at least as a test. Drink lot 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.
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 supplement 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. Oh and letting stress go is important too - I know how scary it can be. Golly it seems there is no hope for relief but it is worth looking at diet and trying lifestyle changes that can help. Good luck, @farmersmith

Thank you!

Hi, I have the same issues, hoping all is well with you. How are your bowels doing with the intermittent fasting, and how long and how often do you fast for

Hi I am new to this site, Sorry you are all also going through this. I have a redundant colon also, and get a pressing, swollen feeling in my left groin area often. Like others on here I feel I have slow digestion. I also have had small balls, not normal s shape, for many many years. I have been loading up on all fibre and drinking lots too but have had no change.I have been reading lately that insoluble fibre is not good for redundant bowel(as it bulks you up and therefore is more difficult to go), but soluble fibre is great, Is anyone on here doing this diet and is it working for you?

Not doing IF anymore. Things are going pretty well, just have to get enough fiber and keep moving!!

Thanks Becky, great to know you are doing well! Maby I need to exercise more in the morning, I usually do it in the afternoon and night, good to know all fibre is working for you too.

Hi.
I have redundant colon. It’s miserable to live with. My doctor about 8 years ago plus in my low 40s told me he never saw such a large colon.
I take Linezz, laxative 4 pills & magnesium- many days still don’t go #2. The pain is horrendous. Planning my life around it.

KKlas4 - I have a "severely" redundant colon. Have you tried Slippery Elm Powder (inner bark)? I have some with every meal. It adds a lot of slip. I tried taking it once a day and that was not the solution.

I also eat a liquidity diet - my three meals are - hot cereal, smoothie, well-cooked soup. I feather in solids. I drink something all day; more water/liquid to push things along.

I also have myriad food intolerances that trigger IBS. And a rectal pocket (prolapse).

Doing the above for my meals and beverages, plus only eating what works for me keeps my bowels in the normal range. The prolapse comes to fore if I eat wrong, but I have a sitting style that helps take up the prolapse slack and that works.

Everyone is so different, but for me, if I didn't do all of the above, I would be maddenly uncomfortable or in pain.

My heating pad is my best friend these days, unfortunately. I vascillate between constipation and bas diarrhea most of the time. Last December, while in France, I had emergency surgery for a blockage caused by adhesions from past surgeries. After that, was told ai had a redundant/torturous colon. I rarely have a "normal"..as I'm always dealing with one or the other, constipation or diarrhea. Most laxatives flip me over to diarrhea, so am very perplexed as to what I need to do. The GI doctors in this town are difficult to see and get good treatment from; will travel into Houston in late February to see a new one, trying to get answers and help. I cramp constantly and spend a good deal of time on heating pad. Not quality of life, to be sure. Curious as how to go about finding a Dr. and location for Mayo Clinic, probably in Florida, as I am in Louisiana. Any and all advice are welcome.