Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?

I had a colonoscopy today. I read the report and one finding was a redundant colon, but no polyps or twisting this time. I looked it up and found redundant meant a colon that was longer than normal for the body, so it takes more time to do the colonoscopy. Further research lead to the importance of self care to prevent impaction and twisting. Next, I read your great posted question. It made me wonder why the I had no poly this time. But I still have bouts of intense pain, and the other symptoms you mentioned. Mine csn over something as simple as a 3 hour car trip and eating in a resteraunt.
My history includes emergency room visits with the symptoms you described. My story includes concurrent Afib incident.
Through my gassy, boated, and sometimes severe pained adulthood, here is some of the advice I have received: My GP said take fiber. Eat whole grains. However I was alergic to over the counter fiber stuff, and grain sensitive. Ground flaxseed helps. My gyneccologist (of all people) prescribed a good multi probiotic. This practically solved the problem for a few years, most of the time. (Must take pill every time I ate.) My health coach sold me a natural ground walnut, barley greens fiber product that was helpful, but I became allergic to it and it caused sinus problems. The mistake I made was to smell it. My Naturopath sold me on digestive enzymes a year ago, that helped. And they are quite expensive. Then, last fall my medical doctor who is trained in Mexico City and is an Internist advised that I go to nutrition meetings his asistant leads for free. It turned out to be a Whole plant diet. This means plant food only. No meat, milk, no animal product of any kind, no eggs, processed oil, not even olive oil, no processed sugar or fake sugar. No fake vegetarian food laden with salt. 6 to 8 glasses of water a day. No other drinks, unless soaking my own seeds. Manufactured almond milk has salt. There has been testimonies of colons healed that once were polyp prone and now are polyp free. Hmmm, I did not have a single polyp this time. Raw nuts and seeds are ok! I do not think whole seeds are good for polyps though. Following that diet has helped the inflammatory other problems I have too. In a pinch I have used simethacone. Probably not good in the long run. As I age, (with only one kidney doing the job of two) I have reduced ability to process excess fluids. Chewing my food very well and not overeating, moving during the day helps, too.
My thoughts are for you to be healed and that you find relief. I thank you for the details you shared. Key words for me is faith and self-discipline to follow the diet consistently. I just retired from teaching special education. So I am hopeful the less stress, and extra time will help me be closer to using my food as the main medicine/ fuel. Being out of pain and free from the gas and bloating is motivating. Sorry this is so long, I hope my journey gives hope and encouragement to fellow people with redundant colons. May they even untwist and depolyp (THANK YOU SURGEONS) And May we all listen and follow our Great Physician.

Hi @lotsofpain,

You may notice that I moved your message to this "Redundant / Tortuous Colon” discussion as many of the members have posted about pain in the colon;
I thought it would be beneficial for you to connect with them and read about their experiences.
Could you share more details? Have you been diagnosed with any digestive conditions?

I recently tried a new way to deal with my redundant colon/IBS symptoms and it is going quite well. My niece gave me a copy of the book "The Plant Paradox" by Steven Gundry, M.D. I've been reading it very carefully and started with just a few of his dietary change ideas and I have already seen marked improvement of my symptoms of pain, cramping, diarrhea, etc. I'm sure his book is not the solution for everyone, but I plan to follow his recommendations for a few months and see how it goes.

It's interesting to me that when I last posted in May I was contemplating surgery. Now it seems that a medical solution will work quite well for me, and actually help me get off some of the drugs. I particularly dislike the dicylomine because it makes me shaky and confused.

There is a website for the Plant Paradox method. Maybe it's worth checking out.

Virginia, I'm glad that making changes to your diet is working for you. I hadn't heard of the Plant Paradox diet, so I had to look it up. Here is some information from the Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic about it:
- Why Weight Loss on the Plant Paradox Diet Is Itself a Paradox https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-weight-loss-on-the-plant-paradox-diet-is-itself-a-paradox/
- Mayo Clinic Q and A: What are dietary lectins and should you avoid eating them? https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-what-are-dietary-lectins-and-should-you-avoid-eating-them/

You might also enjoy this blog post and video on Connect:
- Know Your Lectins https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/gastroenterology-and-gi-surgery/newsfeed-post/know-your-lectins-1/

Virginia, what dietary changes have you made so far that seem to be having a positive effect?

I was just diagnosed after a painful colonoscopy. Unfortunately, the doctor didn’t stop to talk aboutit so I am doing my own research. For the last several years, since my last coloscopy, I have had episodes where I cannot relieve myself then it feels like I am going to pass out, followed by a drop in blood pressure with cold sweats. These episodes take up to 30 minutes to finish and I have to lie down afterward. I am wondering if they are related. I certainly appreciate everyone’s experience and input.

I was diagnosed a week ago ... and haven’t pooped since despite a LOT of laxatives snd prunes. Concerned. Yesterday doctorrecommended another laxative (which I took) and today she is in surgery. Hoping. But this is ridiculous.