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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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christine5 | @christine5 | 2 days ago
In reply to @tiss "I had the same diagnosis re long, redundant , twisty colon and had awful constipation for..." + (show)
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I had the same diagnosis re long, redundant , twisty colon and had awful constipation for my entire life. Colonoscopies were a nightmare back in the day when you were lucky to get a Valium. I am 62. 2 1/2 years ago I had a bowel obstruction from a cecal volulous and had to undergo emergency surgery (right hemicolectomy) to remove all of the ascending colon and then some. About 2 feet. It's been a long, hard recovery but with a good doctor, I've done pretty well with the bowel problems. Have been constipated twice since surgery. My colon had a rotated cecum-- rare, congenital bowel malformation that no test can detect unless you obstruct. The surgery itself is an awful recovery but, I'm grateful to be alive since the mortality rate for a cecal volvulus is high. I don't know if the rotated cecum has anything to do with the colon being extra long and twisty.

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@tiss I hear your pain. I would go to the emergency room with terrible pains, and they would just give me pain medicine and xray and tell me I was constipated and tell me to go home eat fiber drink water. It wasn't until I had the surgery to.Remove part of my colon that I was happy. It was so long that it looped up over my liver. I still have constipation, but it doesn't last as long as it did. And it's easier to manage.

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