Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?

This year in May, as an older woman with non-cardiac chest pain and constipation problems, I started a new journey to rule out acute liver problems and to treat constipation. With a gastroenterology referral, after EGD and colon scopes, the group decided that the non-cardiac chest pain was probably a bile duct blockage and that the constipation and fecal incontinence would improve with pelvic floor physical therapy. Adding Psyillium in capsules, and re-starting yogurt has improved my health as well as exercises and new ways of managing incontinence of the urinary tract system as well as fecal incontinence. Keeping up the exercise routine is difficult for me, especially with our 2020 pandemic limiting my usual recreational exercises.I do recommend pelvic floor therapy for us older folks with less exercise than ever before. Hoping for a safe effective anti-Covid-19 vaccine soon.

Hello @ceclark41,

I appreciate your posting about the different products and methods that you have used to help you with constipation and incontinence. I was especially interested in your discussion on the value of pelvic floor therapy.

I would appreciate a little more information about pelvic floor therapy. Would you be able to share a little about the exercises that helped you? Were they breathing exercises or perhaps stretching exercises?

My gastroenterology clinic referred me to a specialized physical therapy by Fyzical, a nationwide clinic chain, for pelvic floor therapy for fecal incontinence. Therapy for urinary incontinence was added. With introductory education about bladder and bowel function, I recorded a 3 day log of voiding and bowel function. Learning to manage urinary urgency and bowel control, the therapist provided five basic pelvic floor contraction exercises to strengthen the muscles and reflexes, and then three lower trunk strengthening exercises with bridging, clam shell, and inner thigh muscle contraction. My challenge is doing 2-3 sets of exercises. With some cardiac surgery, I had a setback, and have an extra month of strengthening.

@nancy2020, passing out and knowing you're about to pass out sounds dreadful. Have the measures you've been taking - high fiber diet, drinking more water and a vegetarian diet - helped?

I use smooth move tea, 5.00 at walmart. Works every time. I use it weekly. Its the only thing that has ever worked. I literally do not go number 2 for probably 10-12 days. Ibs c is no joke, its not fun, it's painful. Try the tea, tastes great. Follow the directions n do it the night before u have a day off.

I also had diverticulitis and a perforated colon, and ended up with a poop bag for six months, then had the surgery reversed, removing the remaining sigmoid colon. I’ve had chronic constipation since then, with three partial blockages. The last blockage they did a barium enema which showed a twisted and flipped portion of colon, which the enema actually helped clear. Still constipated, but even 1/2 dose gives me awful diarrhea, I cannot make it to the bathroom in time, even if the bathroom is just a few steps away. I cannot find a happy medium. I want so badly to understand why my body doesn’t work quite right anymore and how to best treat it, but I can’t find any answers. I do know that a nerve was cut during the first surgery that the surgeon at Mayo repaired as best he could. I also know a muscle atrophied (is that the right word?) while it wasn’t being used, and I’m wondering if that is part of the problem?

Helli @lesliedenny. Your experience sounds very similar to mine. For months, I have had 5 to 7 times of diarrhea every morning, with bouts of constipation in between. Every 5 or 6 weeks, I would start to blackout, always while on the toilet. Since I live in a seniors' residence, staff always attended once I pressed my neck alert, and an ambulance was called for. The medics always made the decision to take me to E.R. due to my vitals readings. In the last 2 E.R. visits I had both a CT scan with contrast and an MRI, which my new GI showed me images of on my 1st appointment with him. I clearly saw 2 large obstructions in one image and 3 in the other. He advised me to drink 2 litres of water, 1 tsp. Metamucil daily, and Lax-a-Day daily. Also ordered lab work. I followed his advice for 6 weeks and found I began to feel better, less diarrhea, no blackout incidents, etc. I was advised to continue that regime, cutting Metamucil to 1/2 tsp. daily and Lax-a-Day every other day. It's been tricky to manage the ups and downs of the bowel, but an improvement. A second Fecal Protectin test this week showed an Alert Symbol beside the reading of 9.4, indicating inflammation. The GI is scheduled to phone me January 21. He told me earlier that I might need a colonoscopy but that it's risky for me due to my various health issues. I have a history of mouth sores and this past 2 weeks have a painful outbreak of sores. I've read this could be a symptom of Crohns, which the G.I. is investigating me for. Good news is that I've had no more blackouts since starting my GI's regime. I really believe in drinking the 2 litres of water daily. I'm waiting anxiously to hear from my GI on the 21st.

You are not alone! I’ve had several terrible bouts of almost fainting while needing/trying to go to the bathroom. When I feel it coming on, I lie down on the bathroom floor and put my legs up on the toilet/wall. This is to raise my blood pressure. If there is time, I will put down a towel, but germs are nothing when you feel like you are going to die. After reading about twisted/obstructed colon, I’ve scheduled an appointment with my specialist. I was diagnosed with redundant/tortuous colon two years ago. The doctor used a pediatric scope and still could not complete the procedure. I’m ready to give up food. I want my life back!

My colon specialist advised me to take 2 caps of MiraLax twice each day. I think my mistake has been to wait until I am constipated to take meds. If you have motility issues, you really need it as a preventative.

Welcome, @tlisaberry. I read either in this discussion or in another discussion that some members are concerned about long term usage of MiraLAX. My understanding is that it is an over-the-counter product that's typically used to treat short-term constipation. Do you use it for short periods of time?

I'm glad you have an appointment coming up soon with a specialist about your fainting bouts and low blood pressure when you have the need/urge to empty your bowels. Do you normally have low blood pressure?