Severe Constipation

I have had severe constipation all of my life. A CT scan revealed a tortious colon. I have both twists and folds, making it very difficult for food to pass through the gut, leading to constipation. I am to the point where I believe that if I eat several pieces of toast, and then otherwise eat lots of the right foods, I will still have a major problem because the mass of bread reaches a twist in my colon and blocks anything else behind it, despite if those are the right foods. (This is just my impression, about my condition.) I have had to use enemas in order to function (for decades). Anyway, I wrote on the tortious colon blog that I've discovered (for me, anyway) that insoluble fiber helps more than soluble fiber. (There's a book on amazon called IBS-IBD Fiber Charts, if you want to explore this. Its the only resource I've found so far that lists the sources of soluable and insoluble fiber.) Now that we're in the Holiday season, I've been eating very small pieces of fruitcake (1/2 inch slice) every day. Suddenly it was like I had never had a problem at all. No enemas. Everything normal. We ran out of fruitcake, and I was back to my miserable existence again. (The fruitcake I like is Deluxe Fruitcake, from Corsicana, Texas, and available on Amazon...just FYI.) Anyway, its mostly pecans, candied cherries and pineapple, and dates. I looked those up. All are around 75-80% insoluable fiber. So my theory continues about fiber. Anyway, I hope you find something that will help you. I understand that tortious colon can be from birth (which then is called a redundant colon), but can also just develop sometime later. Hope you find some relief. Its wonderful when you finally get there!

@shaleenv can using olive oil in cooking and in salads/veggies help ? For me, I think so…

I have had severe constipation all of my life. A CT scan revealed a tortious colon. I have both twists and folds, making it very difficult for food to pass through the gut, leading to constipation. I am to the point where I believe that if I eat several pieces of toast, and then otherwise eat lots of the right foods, I will still have a major problem because the mass of bread reaches a twist in my colon and blocks anything else behind it, despite if those are the right foods. (This is just my impression, about my condition.) I have had to use enemas in order to function (for decades). Anyway, I wrote on the tortious colon blog that I've discovered (for me, anyway) that insoluble fiber helps more than soluble fiber. (There's a book on amazon called IBS-IBD Fiber Charts, if you want to explore this. Its the only resource I've found so far that lists the sources of soluable and insoluble fiber.) Now that we're in the Holiday season, I've been eating very small pieces of fruitcake (1/2 inch slice) every day. Suddenly it was like I had never had a problem at all. No enemas. Everything normal. We ran out of fruitcake, and I was back to my miserable existence again. (The fruitcake I like is Deluxe Fruitcake, from Corsicana, Texas, and available on Amazon...just FYI.) Anyway, its mostly pecans, candied cherries and pineapple, and dates. I looked those up. All are around 75-80% insoluable fiber. So my theory continues about fiber. Anyway, I hope you find something that will help you. I understand that tortious colon can be from birth (which then is called a redundant colon), but can also just develop sometime later. Hope you find some relief. Its wonderful when you finally get there!

@jkoc2612 question- is loading up on fiber the best thing when you are backed up ? There are 2 basic kinds- soluble and insoluble—I’ve heard that soluble may be a bit easier on the body..personally, i eat fiber, but gently, and use colace to soften things up, which avoids straining…usually helps me….

I looked up Jaloma Olive Oil and it states it is non-edible and not to be ingested.

I would research this further with a medical doctor before taking this internally.

I suffer severe constipation due an abdominal wall injury which was small, so im assuming my constipation is due a lot of adhesions. Im going to tell you what helps me ENORMOUSLY but you need to decide for yourself .
A friend happened to rent a house that had a waterhose attached to the toilet and knew i was having severe issues. Small amounts of fecal matter which are to small to pass naturally would bloat me/ causing severe pain in my colon. I was using 100 suppositories every 3 days or so.
I bought the water hose and literally cannot live without it. My Dr says be careful not to overuse it ( which I do, no choice really) because the spincter will get lazy. I accept the consequences, I often cant even pass gas without the hose.
I found EVERY prescribed medication for constipation bloated me so use Zahler Magnesium Citrate. 2 pills every night, (i find this brand gentle on system ) because im on opiods unfortunately. This along with the hose helps me tremendously. But pls discuss pro/ cons with your Dr. For me, it's a life saver. I get horrendous pain from gas and bloating. Hopes this helps.

@anniesezu812

I'm not familiar with bidets at all; do you mind saying which brand waterhose it is you're using on your toilet? Thanks.