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Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?
Digestive Health | Last Active: 1 hour ago | Replies (1120)Comment receiving replies
I have had 3 incomplete Colonoscopies since 2003 because of a "Very redundant colon". After the last attempt the doctor ordered a "virtual colonoscopy" in which air was pumped into me and images were taken (quite uncomfortable!) The test results were not very conclusive so I really don't know what's going on in the last 1/3 or so of my colon.
I have discomfort almost daily in my upper rib cage area front and upper back.
My BMs are very irregular -in timing and amount, width (narrow)but I am not constipated. (I had been many years ago due to painkillers post surgery)
My new Gastro. Doc. thinks he can successfully give me a COMPLETE standard colonoscopy by sedating me more and manipulating my colon more ...somehow. He also said that a very redundant colon does NOT mean I have EXTRA colon, only that it is not being held in place anymore because the sheath (or whatever) is stretched out of shape (or something like that) due to childbirth, prior hysterectomy, age, and obesity. Does this make sense? I just don't know what I should do.
Replies to "I have had 3 incomplete Colonoscopies since 2003 because of a "Very redundant colon". After the..."
I do have a tortuous intestine. I think my condition is different than yours but i wanted to share with you. Religiously I have followed the schedule for colonoscopies. This last time was my last. I understand it's important but I also think if there are concerns, there are other ways to do this procedure. Because of the "tortuous" intestine, (and I do have more intestine than I need for a person my size), I always run the risk of the colon being punctured or torn. This last procedure set me back and caused more harm than good. I told my gastro it was my last and she mentioned there are other methods available to "look inside". I'm 70 years old now and I hope I don't have to face another reason for a colonoscopy. I know the doctors want a repeat if you've had polyps, etc. The polyps they removed from me were benign and it put me in a lot of discomfort and resulting constipation issues (which I've had all my life, but this made it worse). Then I contracted C-diff after taking Clyndamycin and was very very ill. I'm still recovering 8 months later but doing much better. It has been a long recovery but it's also taught me some things. I have had more help on this site versus my own primary doctor and gastro. The support is wonderful and for me, some very helpful advice. I hope that by your persistant communication with people on here, you also find some answers. And I agree that it would be prudent to ask your doctor direct questions and as many as you can. We need to be our own advocate. I have found there are too many "pat answers" that are past out without looking at the individual. "Just follow this",............I trusted and ended up with more problems because I didn't question enough. We all need to think things through as best we can and do our own research. Especially now. I wish you all the best and keep reaching out on this site. Jacque
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I suffer from the same. What I don't understand is surgeons will cut out 20 inches of colon at the drop of a hat for someone with diverticulitis, put tell us there is nothing they can do. I'm going to a new GI doctor next week, I want to get a new set of eyes on my condition and maybe he has a surgeon on some different therapeutics.