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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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All my life and I'm a 70 year old female. I've always been active and I exercise 6 days a week, still. The only thing that ever worked for me was, originally, Bisacodyl. BUT it leaves me weak and shaky. But it did clean me out. NOW what is working for me, although it took a week or so for my body to adjust, is Prunlax, over the counter. It's much easier on my body, I feel so much better! I just discovered that it is made in an extra strength, which I will try next. I have a tortuous intestine. I had another colonoscopy in 2020 and I'm not doing it again. It left me in a lot of discomfort for weeks and I understand I run the risk of perforating the intestine trying to get the scope through me. There are other ways to look for polyps, if necessary. But I made the decision to stop the colonoscopies. I learned of Prunelax through someone on this site. It has worked for her son, who had issues for 20 years! Well, like I said, I'm 70 and I've been dealing with constipation and all it's repercussions for years. It's worth a try. I've used Miralax, stool softeners, and everything else the doctors told me to do,.....drink more fluids, eat a good vegetable/fiber diet, take magnesium, and so on. The Prunelax performed the best in my experience. Everyone is different so it's a process finding out what works for your body. I wish you patience and the very best.
Oh yes little reminders.
I too have a tortuous colon. How frequently do you take Prunelax? Do you take the regular (red package) or the maximum Prunelax Ciruelax (blue package)? I am just recovering from a bout of diverticulitus and I am still on Ciprofloxacin and Metronidazole. I feel ok but I have not had a bowl movement in 7 days. Maybe that is because of the soft diet but I am getting concerned.
Good Morning! I am taking 4 tablets daily of the Prunelax, red box, mini-tabs. This is what works for me. I seem to need more and this is the way it has been all my life. I plan on trying the extra strength Prunelax that you mentioned when I run out of the mini-tabs. (Hopefully I won't have to take as many with the extra-strength). I have not had any experience with Ciprofloxacin or Metronidazole. But I am sure when we ingest these other medicaitons it affects our systems. I know it always has with me. But I wanted to comment that 7 days of no elimination isn't good. I'm sure you'd feel better if you would have a bowel movement. When this has happened to me I have taken Bisacodyl, three tablets. It works and it cleans me out but it does leave me feeling a bit weak but tolerable and I sure feel better getting all that out of my system. I don't know if that is recommended though for someone with diverticulitus. Can you check with your gastro or another doctor? But that is what has worked for me. And I would encourage you to reach out because 7 days is too long, soft diet or not. I will be thinking of you and I hope you can find a solution. The Prunelax is a more "natural" way to promote elimination but after 7 days of nothing, you may need to clean yourself out. Sometimes I've seen citrus of magnesium recommended also. This is part of the prep one has to take before a colonoscopy and it cleans you out also. I wish you all the best and please feel free to contact me again if you wish. Jacque
Thanks for responding. I take the Ducosate at night and have been using Magnesium Calm for years, but it seems
that is not giving me the complete evacuation. I have read of Prunelax from others, so i will try it. I am also going to a registered dietician. p.s. I am eighty and still trying to solve this issue, so can't wait to try this new one.
I’ve had lifelong constipation problems with a torturous colon. After trying everything, my pcp prescribed Lactulose and it works! It’s a syrup and I only use it when needed. It’s changed my life!
I agree with Jacque, that is way too long. I have found that the longer i let it go on, the worse it becomes. After 2 days, if no movement i take a suppository.
I hope it works well for you. Keep us posted. Jacque
After my last colonoscopy, I read the report and it said I had a very redundant colon. Constipation has been a lifelong problem for me which I seem to have resolved over the past 5-10 years. I thought I had IBS so I began using a product called Heather's Tummy Fiber (Acacia Senegal) plus drinking lots 2-3 liters of water/day. That has worked very well for me in clearing up the constipation. I have a family history of issues with the colon, including my great-grandmother having an intestinal blockage and dying on the operating table. Both my cousin and my Aunt had a portion of their colon removed and my grandfather had a colostomy. So, it could be that I have a genetic predisposition to a redundant/torturous colon, not sure. I'm not experiencing symptoms now. I eat a high fiber diet that includes cruciferous vegetables as well as other vegetables, beans, fruits and avoids dairy and red meat. If I were having issues, I would probably push for surgery.
I take the max dose of prune lax and unfortunately it has done nothing for me.