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Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?
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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I give you my condolences. It's a very hard surgery to go through, and dangerous. Glad we both lived through it!
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1 ReactionMe too! And why can no one explain how a person can go along just fine with a redundant colon and then one day it starts causing all sorts of problems. I had an attack this morning when I was trying to get my wheelchair-bound daughter ready for the bus that takes her to her program. I immediately dissolved a Levsin tablet under my tongue to relax the spasms. I don’t know what I’d do without that medication! I’m sure I’d wind up with ischemic colitis every time.
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1 ReactionKriszill, I would like to hear more about that Levsin tablet. Sounds like something I may want to try. I've been in so many setting this past year where I have sudden attacks of cramps and urgency. It's SO discouraging and inconvenient.
Ask your doctor about it. You’ll still have the urgency and the diarrhea, but the cramps are a lot less intense once the medicine takes effect. I use it “as needed,” which is at the first sign of a killer cramp coming on.
Kris, thanks for the info. I had a discussion on another thread about how going off of estrogen replacement effects the mucosa in the colon. I also researched it online, and there are a couple of solid studies on it. My problems started right about the time my doc took me off estrogen. I've had a tortuous colon since at least 2008, but problems just started 2 years ago...exactly when I went off estrogen. Going to ask the doc to let me go back on estrogen cream, at least.
Really? Wow! As a matter of fact, mine started when I switched from brand to generic Lamotrigine. But how could that do it? Who knows.
Hello all I am new to this group I too was just told that I have tontuous colon a long with 1.) chronic ldiopathic constipation 2.) dysfunction constipation outlet 3.)rectocele 4.) diverticulosis 5.) some more polyps and 6.) adhesions from many abdominal surgeries.. Most days the pain is unbearable but I work through it, but I feel that I am short with family, friends, and people in general and that isn't who I am I am at a loss
I have no idea what would be the best way too deal with all this. I have tried all the meds out there different diets and now I just don't know what the best treatment would be. Help, ideas, any advise would be welcome. Thanks LaNette
It makes sense to me because estrogen maintains the mucosa in parts of the reproductive tract as well as the urinary tract. I have the reference for the paper I read, if you are interested, I can post it.
Lanette, my doctor put me on amitriptyline which helps a lot with the pain. It's an anti-anxiety med, but apparently also helps calm down nerves in the gut. I also started the Plant Paradox diet, which also helped with the pain in a few days. It's not for everyone, but might be worth looking into. There is a whole website devoted to it, and 2 or 3 books.
Ok thanks so much I will check it out