1. < Digestive Health

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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les2436 | @les2436 | Dec 24, 2019

Need Help with my Redudant Colon

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kgs | @kgs | Jan 7, 2020
In reply to @tracy430 "I recently had colon resection for diverticulitis. Since then, I have no urge to have a..." + (show)
@tracy430

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.

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I don’t know if it will help or not but I’ve found that 100mg of 5-HTP first thing in the morning and before bed help with my motility. And like @tiss I take 450-100mg of magnesium citrate or oxide daily. I have tortured colon and have suffered with chronic constipation my entire life. There are also some probiotic strands that help with motility.

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kgs | @kgs | Jan 7, 2020
In reply to @jennb "Hi-I was recently diagnosed with torturous colon as well. It makes sense since Menopause I’ve experienced..." + (show)
@jennb

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.

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Agree on flax seed. Chia seeds also seem to have same effect for me.

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mel1987 | @mel1987 | Jan 9, 2020
In reply to @kanaazpereira "Hi @onaquest @flguy @carcar, A redundant colon is an abnormally long colon, especially in the final..." + (show)
@kanaazpereira

Hi @onaquest @flguy @carcar,

A redundant colon is an abnormally long colon, especially in the final section (called descending colon). A redundant colon also has additional loops or twists. Other names for a redundant colon include tortuous colon or elongated colon. https://www.healthline.com/health/redundant-colon
I’m tagging @darlia and @rsinger22 who've written about redundant colon, and they may be able to share their experiences.

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I was diagnosed in 2010 with tortuous colon which was discovered during a routine colonoscopy. I have had very few problems until the beginning of 2019 when I began developing severe muscle spasms in my lower left abdomen and lower left back. I cannot think any other reason why these spasms would occur other than a result from the tortuous colon. I have also had severe constipation which I cannot find relief for. Has anyone else had anything similar happen?

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2 replies
carcar | @carcar | Jan 9, 2020

Constipation for me often develops into a diverticulitis attack and sometimes hospital visit to get appropriate antibiotic meds to treat the infection. It comes on fast and strong so do not fool around with constipation. I was first diagnosed with diverticulosis (a condition that can turn into an infection diverticulitis), followed with tortuous/ redundant colon through a routine colonoscopy. Constipation is usually always the onset for me. After 3 hospital visits I now know that popcorn and constipation are the enemy for me. I take metamucil fiber before going to bed. If for some reason I start to get constipated I take an extra dose during the day. It keeps me perfect and have gone hospital free for almost 2 years now....

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1 reply
carcar | @carcar | Jan 9, 2020

My pain usually starts in lower left abdomen. I have been told by many this is a common area for diverticulosis pockets to form.

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mel1987 | @mel1987 | Jan 9, 2020
In reply to @carcar "Constipation for me often develops into a diverticulitis attack and sometimes hospital visit to get appropriate..." + (show)
@carcar

Constipation for me often develops into a diverticulitis attack and sometimes hospital visit to get appropriate antibiotic meds to treat the infection. It comes on fast and strong so do not fool around with constipation. I was first diagnosed with diverticulosis (a condition that can turn into an infection diverticulitis), followed with tortuous/ redundant colon through a routine colonoscopy. Constipation is usually always the onset for me. After 3 hospital visits I now know that popcorn and constipation are the enemy for me. I take metamucil fiber before going to bed. If for some reason I start to get constipated I take an extra dose during the day. It keeps me perfect and have gone hospital free for almost 2 years now....

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I have suspected for a while that diverticulitis may be partly responsible for the symptoms I have been having. When you experience a diverticulitis attack what are your main symptoms? It has been 10 years since my last colonoscopy but I know I need to call my gastroenterologist to get to the bottom of what is going on.

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carcar | @carcar | Jan 9, 2020

Pain usually starts in lower left abdomen. Now that I know the feeling, as soon as it begins discomfort in that area I start all liquid diet and water to the extreme. Sometimes I will eat soft foods and creamed type soups and if there is no pain I keep it up until the discomfort ends. They say not to eat fiber during an attack but I do take metamucil as I feel it gels with water softly and travels through my colon "picking" up problem seeds or kernels left in my pockets and pulls them through. I usually can get through without lots of pain and keep my diet clean for a day and then go back to normal as long as I am not constipated. If I do not heed the warning the pain gets worse and a temperature starts. Then I usually know it will get bad fast.

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carcar | @carcar | Jan 9, 2020

Drink lots of water daily and keep hydrated with fiber on normal diet and I stay quite well. I have a glass of wine or beer often with no problems. If symptoms start I am strict on cutting out foods and going to diet as mentioned and no alcohol.

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carcar | @carcar | Jan 9, 2020

Hope this works for you but you should see a gastro to keep on top of your condition.

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