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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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I’ve practiced yoga for 20+ years and very regularly over the last decade. It is a way to get in touch with what’s going on with my body, offer it physical (sometimes mental) relief, and continually learn ways to stay healthy, sane and happy.
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2 ReactionsHi Jane, yes I have it. After years many of gastro Dr's prescribing laxatives, I finally found a Dr. who did a colonoscopy and endoscopy,
and said I not only had IBS C, but tortuous bowel with many twists and turns, and pancreatic insufficiency, which accounts for the years of chronic fatigue. He put me on enzymes which have helped enormously, but some of the drugs, like linzess, etc. have not. I will continue to work with him because he's the only one who has helped. I am very sensitive to meds, and trying to find a diet that will help with the constipation.Trying to balance laxatives makes life much more difficult.
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1 ReactionI, too have a tortuous bowel, but after reading your comments, I want to tell you that I have a friend who was diagnosed with SIBO, she was put on an antibiotic and is doing very well. Just thought I'de mention that.
@bgiddio Hi. I've done the antibiotic treatment. I did it after my SIBO test. I should have gone straight to the FODMAP diet after that but I didn't. Now that I am following it, I've seen improvement. I've also taken the giant step to going decaffeinated (or decapitated as my head adjusts to no volts). I don't know how long your friend plans on taking antibiotics. However long, she will probably need to follow the diet after. Thanks for the response. Be well. 🙂
Surgery? Anyone know any surgeons that will do surgery for tortuous colons?
My fear is it would worse. It
@suzbyyrneHi. Is the FODMAP diet you are on for the SIBO, and do you also have the tortuous bowel?
My Dr. was great at diagnosing but not on helping me with diet. Considering FODMAP, know its strict, but
if it helps with the constipation I would try it. Did go on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet a few years ago, similar to FODMAP but not as strict, and it didn't help.
Any help out there is appreciated. Thanks!
@bgiddio Hi. Yes the FODMAP diet is for SIBO. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/fodmap-diet-what-you-need-to-know That's the link to the John Hopkins webpage that tells about it. As I understand it, low FODMAP foods are low in the sugars that the bacteria thrive on. Once you get into it, it doesn't feel restricting at all. It may mean you need to forgo your favorite foods for a while, as your body adjusts. Then, once you've gotten used to it and things feel a bit more manageable, you can do a little cheat here and there. But it's been really helpful for me. I also have problems with swallowing, so I do the small 5 meals a day. That's kind of a drag, because I'm really not comfortable eating out, due to my swallowing problem. Oh well. I've pretty much adjusted to that too. Also gave up caffeine. God, I sound like a born-again twenty-first-century ascetic. Hope this helps. Let me know how you do. 🙂
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1 ReactionI have tortuous colon and will have total hip replacement on 11/8 and the gastro doc said I couldn't have surgery as it is so bad. I am concerned about post Op constipation. My doc said try oxyclense from Amazon. I just ordered it and will see how it works. I am on high fiber diet.
Any advice would be appreciated as it very much concerns me.
Thank. You.
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1 ReactionI wouldn't try to advise. I can only share what I've learned and experienced. I'm sure you wouldn't make any changes without consulting your doc. So, that said, For me, and for people with SIBO, fiber is bacteria's fuel and can exacerbate constipation. I was so at a loss because that's what I always heard, more fiber. FODMAP addresses the fiber issue by listing foods that don't have a lot of fiber. I have a FODMAP cookbook and a rice cooker and follow the diet and it helps.
You are facing a lot of challenges and I wish you well. Talk to your doctor about the FODMAP diet and your fears about going into surgery. Have you seen a nutritionist? I've never had a blockage other than severe constipation. It's a difficult problem that so many of us suffer with. It affects your mood, energy, sleep, back . . . I'm not completely average, but I'm better. Please follow up on the link I sent you and talk with your doctor. Feel free to write back. Support is what Connect is about. Take care.