I recently had colon resection for diverticulitis. Since then, I have no urge to have a bowel movement unless I take Linzess and Milk of Magnesia. My surgeon disregards my concerns and I'm terrified that if these things stop working, I'm going to end up in the ER. I've lost a lot of weight and I didn't have a lot to lose. I drink a lot of water. I try adding more fruits and vegetables. Nothing works. I have zero motility. At times I'll get bloated to the point that I don't want to eat and need to take Gas-X, but honestly, this is no way to live. This surgery was supposed to "give me my life back". It hasn't.

I have had irritable bowel-C for over 40 years. In the last three years and a half years the constipation has become severe. Up until then, I rarely used laxatives (could count on one hand, the # of times) One gastroenterologist recommended the fodmap diet, (so restrictive and I am already restricted as a celiac) metamucil and miralax twice a day. That seemed to alleviate the constipation but all that miralax and metamucil aggravated my irritable bowel. That same gastroenterologist said in his report "her bowel will just have to get used to it": it didn't) In the last three years, I have also gone from being on no medications to three: metoprolol, prolia and repatha (evoculomab injection). One or more of these drugs has made the constipation worse.
Recently, I stopped using Miralax. It no longer seems as effective and was giving me daily lower abdominal cramping to the point where some days it was uncomfortable to walk. So much gas and terrible bloating. (Interesting how all of its advertising says no bloating, no cramping) Then, I tried milk of magnesia and it works but the cramping for me was beyond tolerable. So, a few nights ago, I tried two senokot and that worked without cramping but I'm sure if I use it daily it will be the same issue. Lizness gave me abdominal pain and bloating.
Over the years, I have taken probiotics but didnt see a difference.
My last colonscopy was 9 years ago (CT colonography and sigmoidoscopy about 3 years ago--one nonserious polyp)and it showed a "long and twisty colon".
I am waiting for my gastroenterologist appt next month. Actually beginning to wonder if there is a solution. Prucalopride called Resotran was suggested, (believe that helps with motility). However, I have an arrythmia that is now well-controlled and Health Canada has a warning saying proceed with caution re resotran if you have those problems and the drug safety clinic could not assure me it would be safe. I really do believe it is the medications that have made the IBS-C worse. That's the thing with modern medicine. The drugs fix one problem and often create some new condition (from side effects) that then needs to be treated.

Hi-I was recently diagnosed with torturous colon as well. It makes sense since Menopause I’ve experienced worse IBS symptoms. My doctor told me to add ground flaxseed to my diet and I can say this works really well! I sprinkle it ontop of food -you really don’t taste it- and it keeps me regular and stools are easy to pass. I had two polyps so I’m waiting for my results but not worried. Anyway ground flaxseed is definitely the trick for me -very high in fiber.

Oh, you sound just like me. I don't have IBS-C but a redundant, slow transit colon. My transverse colon barely moves. At the moment all I eat is soft fruit and vegetables, eggs, rice and some fish. I can't eat alot in one sitting so graze throughout the day. I have list about 13 kg. My colorectal specialist put me on prucalopride with my laxitives which has done nothing. Ten days with a small result but I think it is only because I doubled my laxatives on the 8th day. I think I want surgery but I'm concerned I am concerned that maybe I am not bad enough.

Hi Amy. I hope this gets to you, as I see your post was made a while ago. I have struggled a long time with the same symptoms. I have had several colonoscopies, a few polyps. No one has said I have a redundant colon but I’ve always wondered. My very first colonoscopy was done when I was in my early 30s because of symptoms. My GP did it (not sure that was wise) and said things were fine. As I left the exam room, I heard him say to the nurse, “That’s the longest colon I’ve ever seen.” I was young and didn’t think to ask any questions. So 35 years later I’m in bad shape. I saw an Australian doctor who suggested I have a SIBO test (small intestine bacterial overgrowth). I came up very high in SIBO, lots of bacteria. I follow a FODMAP diet and it’s been very helpful. Has anyone else in this group had that test and gotten those results? I also agree with the benefits of self discipline as an act of self-empowerment and not deprivation. I had a bout of symptoms recently and it was due to eating a larger portion than is recommended. I have experienced unintentional weight loss which is ok but not if I lose anymore. I’m a coffee drinker and I know I need to cut back, but all in good time. This is long, but it was a long hard road that got me here. Bless you all for sharing and I’d love to hear back from SIBO survivors and FODMAP followers. Thank you 😊

Hi, Amy – I’m not sure if you’ll get this because you wrote your message 3+ years ago. I could’ve written it myself! You and I are in the exact same boat and I have never read anybody else’s situation and had it be as similar to mine. I am also a runner, long distance, and discovered recently that the only thing that allowed me to do well after eight or 10 miles was if I restricted my diet to the MOST bland of the low FOD map and gluten-free foods hard-core for about four days prior to a race and I would do a big clean out with a prescribed laxative, the kind they use for colonoscopies, the night before or two nights before the big run. That was such a wonderful discovery because it allowed me to run long distances and not have any problems. I haven’t done it for a little while and I think it’s causing problems. I think I need to do a clean out every couple weeks just to feel good, but I’m not sure if there’s any harm in that. I am on Motegrity for my constipation which seems to be helping but I still have so much gas and discomfort! I also have SIBO and have had to do several rounds of antibiotics. I am on a low FOD map diet pretty much all the time, avoid garlic, onions, and artichokes like my life depends on it, I’ve been gluten-free for the past eight years, and am mostly dairy free but have cheddar cheese a couple times a week. I’m starting to think I might have to give that up as well. My one and only really big vice is red wine. I drink it every day, and usually two glasses or more. I’ve never read anything about that affecting my IBS but I have to think it might. I try to drink a bunch of water to compensate, especially when I’m training. I can’t even consider something like fiber pills. Metamucil made me feel like I was dying. I am trying to figure out if I could do a hysterectomy, which is warranted for other reasons, and if that would help my colon issues. I literally dream of having part of my colon removed because I’m so tired of dealing with it on a daily basis. It’s nice to know that other people are suffering the same way I am; that sounds cruel I know, but it is true that misery loves company and I hate feeling like the only food-deprived, utterly uncomfortable, bloated and gassy freak that I feel like most of the time. I hope your issues have gotten better in the past few years and would love to know any tips that you have discovered if so. Thanks!
-Elizabeth

I have a very similar situation going on here. Mirada never worked well so I did a little research and discovered Enulose. It works! I have been in pretty bad shape to the point that I cannot have a BM on my own. Tortuous colon. I take 1/2 glass of Enulose every 3 days. I tried to take it daily as prescribed but it made me too gassy. I can deal with the quick effects of it twice a week. Best to schedule your day around it. I really don't want to live this way either. I feel a ER visit is in my future.

Karen- I'm also Karen. I feel for you because I'm having increased issues as well. I would not eat white rice - that can actually cause constipation?
I'm new to this group and even though I've struggled with this for years. I'm just now realizing what it is. Now I don't feel crazy.