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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Does anyone have tortuous colon and bouts of diverticulitis? Found out about the tortuous colon in Jan when the GI Dr couldn’t get the scope all the way. I’ve had two bouts since late Oct and then got c-dif from the antibiotics in early March. I’ve lost about 30lbs since Oct. I worry about getting diverticulitis again. Some days I’m spending all day in the bathroom, but not diarrhea, just going a lot with firmed stool, other days nothing. Having internal hemorrhoids doesn’t help things out either, and neither does my chronic anxiety. I don’t know what to eat anymore. I don’t know if I should be eating cooked cauliflower or broccoli, or just stick with bland vegetables like green beans. Those of you who take miralax, do you take the full capful or maybe just a teaspoon? I know I have driven my GI Dr and his office staff nuts already. But it seems that every day a new problem pops up and my anxiety has me going over the deep end. Thankfully I see a psychiatrist off and on and he has prescribed Ativan to take as needed such as when my mind really starts to race.
I have severe constipation so full capfuls for me. I don't have diverticula notes on my colonoscopies nor diverticulitis (the irritation of said diverticula) but I know lots of people do. Be sure you are taking a good prebiotic (or eat fermented foods) and probiotic and figure out if there are specific foods that irritate you. The old popcorn and seeds avoidance advice is a myth. I'm sorry yours is flaring. I know lots of people drink fennel tea or ginger tea to soothe their gut, and there's a product called IBGard that is peppermint capsules to soothe the colon. It's really nothing harmful. Just pockets in your colon that can get inflamed.
I’ve had chronic constipation for many years. I had a colonoscopy last November and my dr. Told me I have a tortuous colon. I had surgery in Jan. 2020 and my surgeon said “ my only advice is to do whatever it takes not to be constipated bc if I do I’d end up back in the hospital. I have tried MiraLAX, Senacot, gummy fibers, magnesium, Amitiza, and Linzess.
The ONLY thing that works is called-Lactulose. It’s a syrup and I’ve been taking it for 4 months and it’s a miracle! Best wishes!
Thank you all for the information. I’ll have to talk to my Dr. about lactulose. My system is all over the place- last week I could hardly leave the house as going all the time and now I can’t go. And I worry about the constipation leading to another episode of diverticulitis. I just wish I had a friend who was a gastro Dr.
May I ask how much Lactulose you take a day and when? I have a prescription of it for my chronic constipation but so far all I get from it is bloating and gas. Perhaps there is a better way for me to take it than 1Tablespoon at bedtime?
I take it during the day, I believe it has more time to work. Hope this helps.
I'll try that, thanks! What dosage do you take?
I take about 1 1/2 teaspoon.
I had an anode all monometry? 2 wks later, I got the report w/ no dr. follow-up!UNBELIEVABLE
No, it’s not.