Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?

Hi Sherrie, I'm 63 and had never heard of a tortured colon until I got the results back from my recent colonoscopy. My GI Dr didn't really go into much detail about it other than to say this is what's normal for me. And who knows how long I may have had this condition and not know about it and chalked the problems I've had all these years to IBS. Constipated one day and then nonstop BMs with cramps at another time. And my problem is I'm such a hypochondriac that I make things worse by going down the rabbit hole of anxiety which makes me not want to eat either. Then I start wondering I start with do I have a problem or am I making it a problem. My major focus everyday is on my digestive system and I think about every little twinge I feel in my gut area. The diverticulitis is a separate problem from the tortuous colon - it means I have these pockets called diverticuli (I think that's what it's called) and sometimes the pocket gets infected with bacteria which is why it's not good for me to be constipated. I've been trying to drink a lot of water and also gatorade to make sure I get my electrolytes when I have no appetite and on the days when the miralax kicks in. My GI told me to take 1/2 capful of Miralax every day, but everyday causes too many BMs. I too keep a BM journal and food journal, although since I'm too anxious to eat, I don't have too much written down. Last night I got take out from the Olive Garden restaurant and since there was crushed garlic on the chicken breast I was too worried to eat it. I'll drink Ensure on days that I can't eat much. I figure I need something in my body. I'll have to try to find the the book you mentioned. I don't know what to eat either. All was fine before the diverticulitis attack and some of my problems could be due to anxiety. I think I have called the GI's office practically every day since the end of Oct. They're probably getting tired of hearing from me, but I just get worried. And I try telling myself that there are people out there with problems worse than mine. I do see a psychiatrist who has me on some mild anxiety meds. I don't want to get hooked on those, but the anxiety makes things even worse. I want to thank you for responding to my post. It helps knowing I'm not the only one out there dealing with this. I hope you are having a good day. I live outside Wash D.C. and we're having freezing rain today. A good day to stay inside. Judy

Wow Judy, we are like "twins" on the gut issues. You just described me as well. I've had IBS-C since I can remember. And I do focus on my gut every day, well, every minute of every day. Mostly because I'm either gassy, bloated or have "stuck butt". I too tried the Miralax but had the same results. Sure it works to make you poo, but it makes you poo too much and then your constipated for 3-5 days with gas. BLAH BLAH BLAH!!! I've gotten Xanax for my anxiety. I'm trying not to use it. I'm trying to accept that this is the way life is for me. I'm 71 and it's probably been getting worse and worse for me since I turned 63 or 64. I've been told there is a surgery to shorten the colon but at my age I don't want to do that. I've been trying to find a livable solution. A friend of mine just had the same surgery (different reason) and I'm trying to get as much information from him as I can to see what he has gone through...or what he is going through just in case. So here are my thoughts on my colon situation. It's longer than it should be right? So, it takes food much longer to pass through. Thus the need for so much water. High fiber makes things worse because it gets stuck in there and then causes very hard "nugget" stools. So I'm trying to keep a very low fiber diet. I'm trying to eat small amounts throughout the day. I'm also trying to eat some "fattening" food. I'm also gluten and dairy intolerant which makes things even more difficult. And I really need to get back into walking every day. I'm currently researching different types of Magnesium. Seems like there are about 10 different types. One may work better than the other. I'm staying away from Linzess and Amitiza. Have read VERY bad reviews. And if you google it there are yoga poses that are suppose to help constipation. Haven't tried that yet either. Lets keep in touch. I'm in Wisconsin and it has snowed here all day and it's below 0! So staying inside! Let me know if your finding things that work for you and I'll do the same. Keep warm!! Sherrie

Hi Sherrie, I hope you’ve had a happy gut day. I will need to check into the yoga exercises. I keep thinking that if there was no covid, I’d try to get to Mayo and have one of their Dr’s look at me. I’m originally from Wis- grew up in Antigo, a small town about 30 miles northeast of Wausau. My elderly mom still lives there and with covid I don’t feel safe going back to visit. I know people who would go to Mayo Clinic for various medical things. My mom also mentioned how awfully cold it has been out there. It will feel like spring when the temps get into the 20’s! Stay warm.

I have battled IBS-C for two decades. Recently, a colonoscopy showed I had a tortuous colon. I relayed this info to a separate GI I'm seeing, (insurance issues).....and the GI told me there is no evidence to support that a tortuous colon can cause/complicate IBS. Is that true? The enormous daily discomfort I feel happens to be in my descending colon....which is exactly where the colonoscopy showed the tortuous colon. It's hard to me to fathom that as a coincidence.

Hi @scottisfull, And welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I see that you are trying to determine if the tortuous colon is related to or complicating your IBS-C. I found a few articles that you may be interested in that suggest that many of the symptoms of a tortuous colon are similar to those of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). By definition, IBS is diagnosed when there is no structural abnormality (or visible inflammation or injury) and thus IBS and tortuous colon are considered two separate health conditions.
Tortuous colon and IBS - https://www.verywellhealth.com/tortuous-colon-and-ibs-4115904

This journal published an article that sounds very similar to what you are experiencing with both TC and IBS-C.
Hiding in Plain Sight: An Unusual Cause of Constipation - https://journals.lww.com/ajg/Fulltext/2017/10001/Hiding_in_Plain_Sight__An_Unusual_Cause_of.1418.aspx

Did your second GI physician suggest any medication, remedy or surgery for your issues?

First off, allow me to say THANK YOU!!! I'm talking to an expert who is trying to answer my questions at 7am when 75% of the country is taking the day off due to inclement weather. I'M BLOW AWAY. YOU ROCK!!!
Ok....here's where things get a bit complicated. In March of 2019, due to extreme stress, I suddenly was unable to keep any food down at all. I lost 60lbs in three months, and I did not have 60lbs to lose. And my crack team that I had diagnosed me with an eating disorder, which was entirely inaccurate. (I believe it was CVSA) Sent for re-feeding which worked fine for the weight restoration. I've had a few minor bouts with it since (CVSA), but I digress. IBS raged through that entire process.
So....eating has become a definite challenge for me because of how awful I feel after each time I eat. Chronic bloating, distension, gas, discomfort, nausea, (FODMAP had no effect). My BMI is healthy but on the low side (19.1) The moral of the story is.....now, whenever I see a new doc, they see the "eating disorder" in my records, and latch on to that like a pit bull. That's what this GI did, right after she told me that tortuous colon had no effect on my bowel habits. Wanted me to enroll in biofeedback, which I'm not completely adverse to. But the emphasis was on eating disorder. And this was an out-of-state GI that I found on the interweb with impeccable credentials....tops in the midwest. She would not consider any new medication. So discouraging and so frustrating. I just want a tiny semblance of my life back. So now, I'm kind of at a loss........

Hi Amanda, Thank you so much for those articles! I know you were responding to "scottisfull" but it's great that you addressed my issues as well. I am going to ask my GI if she has read the new recommendations for IBS-C. I am working with a nutritionist as well and will ask her too. So far she has not recommended the FOPMAP diet for me as I am already on a Gluten/Dairy free diet and have lost so much weight. But I'm thinking now it may be worth the try. Anyway, thank you again for the great information!
Scottisfull - Hang in there! It takes a LOT of reading and investigating and dietary changes as well as the right medications to feel better. Will any of us be "normal" again? I don't think so, I think this is life changing. BUT, we can still live a good life! I for one an working on it. :o) Hope you have a good day

Hi Sher71
Thanks for your kind words of encouragement! I'm new here, but definitely not a rookie when it comes to gastro issues. The warm welcome and support is very much appreciated!

I was recently diagnosed with a Tortuous colon when I went in for a colonoscopy to check for any issues as I have been having many bowel problems for many years now. To be specific, I have a mobility disorder which supposedly us why I don't have regular bowel movements, I have an inability to completely empty my bowel which then results in faecal incontinence (leaking of stool). My Colorectal Surgeon has asked me to take Picoprep which is a bowel preparation, every Friday twice in the morning for three months, which hasn't made a difference at all so far and it's been over a month. I've tried drinking more water, taking stool softeners and osmotive laxatives, drinking Metamucil, exercising, and absolutely no difference whatsoever.
Has anyone out there had the same problems I have, and what did you do to resolve them? Because nothing I've done has worked.

There is a medication designed specifically to target motility problems/chronic constipation. Prucalopride which goes under the name, "Motegrity" in the U.S. and "Resotran" in Canada. My gastroenterologist prescribed a two week supply to try. I have not filled the script. Ask your doctor what he thinks about you giving this drug a try.