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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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Profile picture for hana2
hana2 | @hana2 | Mar 1 11:57am

Pretty much all US grown rice is high in arsenic. See Consumer Reports. It had widespread usage as a pesticide years ago and since rice is grown in wet soils, it absorbs a lot of it. Rice grown in India, Pakistan etc does not have that. So if you are going GF do not consume a lot of US grown rice products ie. rice flour etc. I learned the hard way, I was continually having tiny sores on my body and liver problems until I cut it out.

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adrienne625 | @adrienne625 | Mar 2 10:34am
In reply to @wvsue "I, too, have tortuous colon. I’ve finally found what works for me. Constipation is my enemy...." + (show)
Profile picture for wvsue @wvsue

I, too, have tortuous colon. I’ve finally found what works for me. Constipation is my enemy. What’s working for me is fiber capsules, Miralax, and stool softener, plus a daily treat of raw carrots and celery. I also manipulate my colon by massaging my belly, to help the stool to pass. I take too many meds already and don’t want to add others if I don’t have to.

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The Vibrant capsules I mentioned in an earlier post, is not a medication. The capsules vibrate in the colon, creating peristalsis.

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sickofbeinsick1. AKA Tina | @sickofbeinsick1 | Mar 2 10:31pm
In reply to @lonestarinitaly "My heating pad is my best friend these days, unfortunately. I vascillate between constipation and bas..." + (show)
Profile picture for lonestarinitaly @lonestarinitaly

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.

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I’m in Houston…all I can say is good luck. I’ve been dealing with GI’s for Well over 10 yrs. The pain is unbearable. I can’t travel, wear anything around my waist…I do have a vibrating heating pad, it’s soothing while using, but that’s about it. I take Lactulose “daily”, but I don’t like taking anything that much, so I live (if you can call it that) on liquids mostly. I have given up.
Goood luck!

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1 reply
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les2024 | @les2024 | Mar 3 7:18am
In reply to @adrienne625 "I have chronic idiopathic constipation and a redundant colon. Two years ago, my gastroenterologist recommended a..." + (show)
Profile picture for adrienne625 @adrienne625

I have chronic idiopathic constipation and a redundant colon. Two years ago, my gastroenterologist recommended a new capsule called Vibrant. When a capsule is electronically charged and swallowed in creates parastatals in the colon, thereby pushing the stool along the colon. Most of the time it works very well for me and prevents constipation. Is anyone else using this? There are drawbacks which I won’t go into in my initial post.
Adrienne

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Can you tell us more about this capsule?? I have never heard of this?

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les2024 | @les2024 | Mar 3 7:43am
In reply to @jlynnwalls "I was told I have this also. I have severe constipation then episodes of severe cramping,..." + (show)
Profile picture for jlynnwalls @jlynnwalls

I was told I have this also. I have severe constipation then episodes of severe cramping, diarrhea, and vomiting. It’s some of the worst pain ever. It feels like I can actually feel the feces move thru the colon until I have a bowel movement. The episodes generally last about 4 hours then I sleep the entire day. I had an “episode” on an airplane once and you talk about humiliating. The flight attendant busted the door open because he wanted me to come out of the bathroom and I kept telling him I couldn’t and he kept saying I had to and I’m sitting in the toilet with diarrhea and vomiting in the sink at the same time. The pilot then told my husband they were going to make an emergency landing and my husband refused and tried to explain my situation. So then the pilot said they would get an ambulance ready at our destination and again my husband refused and explained it’s a chronic condition and it will pass. I was embarrassed and my husband could have just died, once we landed, my husband looked out the window and there sat an ambulance. I don’t know if it was coincidence or what but thank goodness they let me off that plane. I’m terrified to fly now because of this incident.

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Do you have trouble sleeping every night? I can't hardly sleep and I don't during the day either... I am always so focused on getting miles in walking and then the misery starts all over. Unfortunately , I have dysergenic defecation on top of the redundancy and tortured colon.

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william1543 | @william1543 | Mar 3 4:39pm

I have tortuous or redundant colon and serious diverticulosis and internal hemorrhoids for many years identified during colonoscopy. Gastro doctor uses pediatric scope after thorough prep. I have a difficult time passing waste and am constipated most of the time. I take Linzess 290 daily, eat prunes, take stool oftener and take Dulcolax and frequent enemas to be able to defecate. I am an 82 year old male, who is active and lives alone. I also have serious sleep apnea, chronic bronchitis, asthma and COPD from an on-the-job long-term chemical exposure. No history of smoking, alcohol or drug usage

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hana2 | @hana2 | Mar 5 10:26am
In reply to @gardennana "Hello! Newly diagnosed tortuous colon at 74! I have struggled with constipation/gut pain/diverticulitis for 20 years,..." + (show)
Profile picture for gardennana @gardennana

Hello! Newly diagnosed tortuous colon at 74! I have struggled with constipation/gut pain/diverticulitis for 20 years, but had a 12 hour gastric bleed/mucous mix in November to get a colonoscopy yesterday!
Interesting reading your comments- now I begin to journal and worry about the kids and grandkids that ended up with infrequent bowel movements, as it seems to be familial. Any other tips for the newbie?

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Unfortunately the bowel, like all muscles atrophy as you age, so many seniors have bowel problems without all these other complicating issues. The only way to work the bowel muscles is through fiber (high soluable fiber foods best) which stretches the bowel and then it has to push it...like resistant training exercises at the gym lol. But I also found not sitting for very long, daily walks/stretch, loose clothing on abdomen, deep breathing/gentle pressure for pain, chew food completely to pulp (no hard pieces) etc etc helps. Also you may have developed different food intolerances due to bowel misfunction. I have been off dairy and gluten for over 30 years. I had actually developed a milk protein allergy at 30 yrs old. Allergist was stunned.

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1 reply
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hana2 | @hana2 | Mar 5 11:01am
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.

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ps. If you do go Gluten Free, stay away form US grown rice products that happens to be in a lot of things. Pretty much all US grown rice is high in arsenic as Consumer Reports pointed out and now governments are trying to pass bills to regulate it. Arsenic was used in pesticides years ago and since rice grows in wet soil it absorbs a lot of it. Rice from India or Pakistan is fine since they never used arsenic in pesticides.

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lapxp | @lapxp | Mar 6 4:26pm
In reply to @adrienne625 "I have chronic idiopathic constipation and a redundant colon. Two years ago, my gastroenterologist recommended a..." + (show)
Profile picture for adrienne625 @adrienne625

I have chronic idiopathic constipation and a redundant colon. Two years ago, my gastroenterologist recommended a new capsule called Vibrant. When a capsule is electronically charged and swallowed in creates parastatals in the colon, thereby pushing the stool along the colon. Most of the time it works very well for me and prevents constipation. Is anyone else using this? There are drawbacks which I won’t go into in my initial post.
Adrienne

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I have considered the Vibrant pill, but given the tortuosity issue, I'm scared that it will get stuck in a bend/loop. Is this an unfounded concern in your experience or your GI's expertise? Thank you!

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1 reply
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adrienne625 | @adrienne625 | Mar 6 6:05pm
In reply to @lapxp "I have considered the Vibrant pill, but given the tortuosity issue, I'm scared that it will..." + (show)
Profile picture for lapxp @lapxp

I have considered the Vibrant pill, but given the tortuosity issue, I'm scared that it will get stuck in a bend/loop. Is this an unfounded concern in your experience or your GI's expertise? Thank you!

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I had the same concerns about capsules getting stuck. It has happened a few times which I found out by an X-ray before having an mri for unrelated issues. Once, my dr had me take a bowel prep which resolved the problem but no one wants to go through that f it isn’t absolutely necessary. Most recently I took Phillip’s milk of magnesia when a X-ray showed 4 trapped capsules. Two or 3 nights on that resolved my problem. I have been on vibrant ever since it was approved by the FDA. With a few glitches, it has worked very well. I never thought I would have thought I would have normal bowel movements.
Adrienne

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