Severe tortuosity and redundant colon

Posted by julsnealey @julsnealey, Apr 10, 2024

I had a colonoscopy for symptoms of unexpected weight loss, severe pain, bloating, early satiety and chronic vomiting with bowel movements. I have had these symptoms for years (15), but they have increased in frequency and severity. The doctor discovered severe tortuosity and redundant colon. He said he had to get help in moving the scope through manually the very tight turns and twists. My question is: What medications have proven successful to management? Best diet? Doctor said it was so bad that surgery may be the best course of action, but they try and avoid that for obvious reasons. Anyone have a success story?

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Profile picture for catherine1290 @catherine1290

Yes! If your stool is like shoelaces you have a colonic stricture somewhere. There was a group discussion on this site. I had Balloon Dilation which helped.

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Aw, yes, the narrow ed stools. Concerning, curious, but now assuring to learn that others have this. It does seem that some kind of narrowing of the colon itself would cause this. Haven't told Dr because my ibs-c is demanding help.

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Profile picture for Janell, Volunteer Mentor @jlharsh

Hi @carolynj15 . Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am sorry you accumulating all these problems. It has to be frustrating trying to manage them. It would be helpful to figure out how all your symptoms are related.

I do not have any specifically diagnosed conditions at this point but I do struggle with narrow stools currently. I am trying to figure out how to handle constipation and keeping weight on. I notice color changes as well as diameter when this happens, and it has been something difficult to fit into a category when I look at a Bristol stool chart. I am inviting others that may have more to share after seeing they have made comments about thin, even shoelace stool, @exeter, @part, @rmv65, @taftst1.

When did your narrow stools start happening, and are they consistent? Did the bloating and gas start at the same time?

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Bristol Stool Chart? Another-heretofor- unknown-to-me-piece-of-information! This quest for gut health is arduous, sometimes demoralizing. Im glad for this space for us.

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Profile picture for part @part

I forgot a few things. Sunsweet has a bag of individually wrapped prunes. I am a fan- big fan. Also Trader Joe’s has organic Raisin Bran clusters. Other foods I cannot eat are popcorn (😔) and peanut butter. Gastro MD cautioned me about dairy - point was taken.

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Prunes do absolutely nothing to help my constipation. I've had this issue since early 20's, with stretches of no problem a few times between then & now. Im 76. Less & less is helpful; always researching. Ive asked my dr to prescribed Amitiza, will rcv it soon. Hopeful

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I know it's been quite a while since you posted this, but I was wondering if you have any updates? Were you able to manage your symptoms better?

I'm 25F and dealing with the same thing. It's escalated over the past three months, and this week I haven't been able to get a meal down without vomiting afterwards. It's also accompanied by bad cramping and usually diarrhea. I had a colonoscopy about six months ago that revealed the redundant colon, but haven't successfully managed the symptoms and am so exhausted. I am also carrying puke bags everywhere I go, and just want to heal! I'd love to know if you were able to improve your symptoms 🙂

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OHhhhh my. OK… let’s start at the beginning. fiber.Water. fiber.Water… alllll through the day. This isn’t a one or 2 step process- it’s all about managing what you take in… strict maintenance- will get you there.

And- a couple of additional things- start slowly- 1 tap of psyllium husk in at least 8-10 ounces of water at least. Stir it into a glass of water & drink it down Fast!! That stuff isn’t tasty… it’s not at all, but it works!! It’s a must. I also sprinkle one tablespoon of ground flaxseed on my 1/3 cup oats /2/3 cup All Bran Buds cereal. Brown rice for its fiber is an everyday thing.. try try to stay away from processed stuff - it is not your friend.

I use the old fashioned Fleet suppository’s a LOT. It seems it works really well! I buy in bulk at Amazon… you don’t want to be with out it! Drink- hot water… as your beverage!

I know this is a lot.. but you do NOT want a colon resection- most painful surgery!!!

Get a regimen going and Rinse, Lather & REPEAT.

Lots of fruit… prunes every day… I try to eat five or six each day… get in this girlie- You can DO IT!!❤️❤️

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Profile picture for burghgrl @burghgrl

OHhhhh my. OK… let’s start at the beginning. fiber.Water. fiber.Water… alllll through the day. This isn’t a one or 2 step process- it’s all about managing what you take in… strict maintenance- will get you there.

And- a couple of additional things- start slowly- 1 tap of psyllium husk in at least 8-10 ounces of water at least. Stir it into a glass of water & drink it down Fast!! That stuff isn’t tasty… it’s not at all, but it works!! It’s a must. I also sprinkle one tablespoon of ground flaxseed on my 1/3 cup oats /2/3 cup All Bran Buds cereal. Brown rice for its fiber is an everyday thing.. try try to stay away from processed stuff - it is not your friend.

I use the old fashioned Fleet suppository’s a LOT. It seems it works really well! I buy in bulk at Amazon… you don’t want to be with out it! Drink- hot water… as your beverage!

I know this is a lot.. but you do NOT want a colon resection- most painful surgery!!!

Get a regimen going and Rinse, Lather & REPEAT.

Lots of fruit… prunes every day… I try to eat five or six each day… get in this girlie- You can DO IT!!❤️❤️

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Thank you. I am willing to give anything a try!

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Profile picture for sienamaria @sienamaria

I know it's been quite a while since you posted this, but I was wondering if you have any updates? Were you able to manage your symptoms better?

I'm 25F and dealing with the same thing. It's escalated over the past three months, and this week I haven't been able to get a meal down without vomiting afterwards. It's also accompanied by bad cramping and usually diarrhea. I had a colonoscopy about six months ago that revealed the redundant colon, but haven't successfully managed the symptoms and am so exhausted. I am also carrying puke bags everywhere I go, and just want to heal! I'd love to know if you were able to improve your symptoms 🙂

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First and foremost, I am so so incredibly sorry that you suffer from this too. It is such a debilitating thing to have to go through. Have you had endoscopy? If not, I would also ask for that as well with your GI Specialist to make sure you do not have anything going on causing you to vomit so near to having eaten. I know I have a hiatal hernia and malfunctioning Lower Esophageal Sphincter, so I have acid that leaks backwards.

I am currently reaching out to an office that specializes in Endometriosis. I have done a ton of research and found that you can have endometrial bowel disease. I had to have a full hysterectomy about 20 years ago due to severe endometriosis and one ovary removed. About 10 years later they had to remove the remaining ovary due to endometrial adhesions attaching it to the abdominal wall and intestine. They are finding endometriosis is an autoimmune disease and can be found all over the body including lungs and brain. I am wondering if this may be causing adhesions along my already redundant colon and this is what is happening. There is a physician that specializes in Endometrisis only I am trying to get an appointment there and see what they say.

Have you been diagnosed with Endometriosis? I also have lungs issues so I am trying to systematically go through everything to see if they all correlate. I will keep you posted. I am thinking of you. It is horrible to have this issue.

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Profile picture for julsnealey @julsnealey

Thank you. I am willing to give anything a try!

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Great!! Excellent attitude! One more thing… weekly I make a huge pot of everything in the fridge soup- lots of cabbage, every veg I have … many! Then add a couple cans of chickpeas, some green peas… carrots onions celery… get the idea? A ca of tomatoes, some broth, or sometimes a bottle of V8, whatever you like. I put it in jars & it lasts for days. Very inexpensive yet Nourishing to the GUT real food!! Your body MUST have this - has a big bowl daily- keep your system full of moisture, fiber, lots of nutrients & YOU CAN LIVE WELL.

This is one of the… can be one, miserable disorder- but YOU can make all the difference- if you take the time to do the RIGHT things you can be well!! Good luck to you dear!!

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In sum, I am a 62 M dx'd with this 4 years ago during a colonoscopy. No gallbladder as well, and have had bout of bad constipation/bloat/distention ever since. I can go 6-7 months w/o any issues, and then bam, I back up and things get nasty. I am taking linzess daily, did the colon clean up protocol, and have had 2 colonics treatment and still am getting backed up after eating benign meals. the cleanses help for a few hours, but as soon as I eat basically anything I trip over into feeling these effects. Assume that there is still some stool inside me that is not getting out?? Hard to imagine after the amount that comes out with the cleanse. Any comments? this is kicking my ass right now.

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Profile picture for bborth @bborth

In sum, I am a 62 M dx'd with this 4 years ago during a colonoscopy. No gallbladder as well, and have had bout of bad constipation/bloat/distention ever since. I can go 6-7 months w/o any issues, and then bam, I back up and things get nasty. I am taking linzess daily, did the colon clean up protocol, and have had 2 colonics treatment and still am getting backed up after eating benign meals. the cleanses help for a few hours, but as soon as I eat basically anything I trip over into feeling these effects. Assume that there is still some stool inside me that is not getting out?? Hard to imagine after the amount that comes out with the cleanse. Any comments? this is kicking my ass right now.

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@bborth Bless your heart!! I take Trulance..and MiraLAX.. and a VSL3 probiotic every day.. seems to keep me going most of the time..occasionaly I have to use MiraLAX twice in one day for 2-3 days..the Trulance is helping me so much better than Linzess!! Praying for you!!

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