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Redundant colon in athlete
Hi there! At my colonoscopy this past Monday I was Told I have A redundant colon. This explains a lot to me as a long course Ironman athlete that deals with diarrhea. I can take up to 3 Imodium during the course of a 13 hour race and still have loose stools while racing.
Can anyone relate or advise me on what I can do or stop doing? It’s hampering my racing and it’s just plain awful.
Thank you so much!
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Running that far and that long is really a great achievement ... but the loose stools can spoil the victory circle... My Primary Care Physician prescribed an Over the Counter probiotic ... Saccharomyces Boulardii... you can by it at most chain Drug stores I get it at Walgreens 50 pills for $15 or so..... I have Gastropanesis and when I had to take antibiotics ... this probiotic really made the elimination more normal.. I took 2 a day to begin.. but now just 1 per day... only rarely do I have to take an Imodium... Good Luck..
@trigojo - I was once told the same but I’m not quite sure what symptoms are seen. I have IBS with constipation- I think constipation is a common symptom. Have you ever experienced this?
I was told this three years ago at a colonoscopy. No further info, then I ended up in ER with diverticulitis from years of constipation from the redundant colon. You do not want diverticulitis!! As my dr. Says do whatever is necessary if 2 days and no BM.
Hi,
Exactly the same situation for me. Told I have a redundant colon post colonoscopy. I struggle with the same problem during marathons/ultras. It's miserable. Imodium has been the only thing the doc can suggest, but that leaves me severely dehydrated.
Have you been able to find anything that helps?
Thanks!
Disclaimer: This is only my experience. I am a long time patient using organic, integrative, functional, holistic Naturopathic doctor's advice along with my MD since the 1980's.
Congrats on your athletic performances. From my experience: "cinnamon intake relieves diarrhea symptoms through metabolic changes due to changes in intestinal microbial groups" Even fresh nettle tea seems to promote regularity vs diarrhea for me. Biochemical individuality. Other herbs that may help stop diarrhea: Astragalus, Barberry, Bilberry. Fiber, Ginger, Goldenseal, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Peppermint. Have you tried BRAT Bananas, rice, applesauce and toast? Maybe you can check the supplements and foods you eat if they promote regularity too much?
Helpful research of biological processes that take place in our gut:
- Migrating Motor complex which is the electroactivity in the GI tract during meals and fasting
- Osmotic gradient. If too much water is pulled into the colon, diarrhea results. If not enough water is pulled into the colon constipation results. Balance of minerals is important. Magnesium, potassium and sodium brings water in to the colon. I have found that these help me because I get constipated. I have to watch my calcium intake because it tends to cause constipation. Calcium carbonate seems to be the most constipating. I depend on blood work to make sure my minerals are balanced.
I found out the end of last year I had redundant colon but like the others above, constipation. It certainly would have been handy before 1972 when I was a gymnast in HS and Jr. college! I now have mostly controlled my regularity naturally, with prunes, rhubarb, squash and sweet potatoes, mineral balance etc. I use back up's Smoothmove and coffee (had to only use these about four times each this month).
Good luck and best for your balanced osmotic gradient!
@farmersmith