Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?

My gastro doctor confirmed that is was ok to keep taking the Prunelax. I do have a tortuous intestine and if I don't keep things moving, I become constipated from my slow transit time. I found out that I can develope a "melonosis", I believe it was called, and it darkens the intestine but the gastro doctor and my primary care doctor said this is a benign situation. "Keep taking the Prunelax" I was so happy to hear this! Finally something that works. All my life I have dealt with this and suffered more than I care to admit. I pray this keeps working for me. I am 70 years old and in great shape otherwise,....for the most part. Miralax didn't work, nor all the other hoops I have jumped through but I can honestly say I was compliant and tried them all. I still take powdered psyllium, 8gm, sprinkled onto oatmeal or cereal, drink as much water as I can, eat fiber, etc. and exercise six days a week. I also supplement with Metamucil crackers occasionally and definitely when I'm traveling. I hope this helps. It was someone on this site that led me to Prunelax and I will be forever grateful!

I realize this is an old post, but I was wondering if anyone has anything else to add, or anything new that works for you.

Redundant colon and constipation are my life. I was just prescribed Linzess because Miralax was not working for me. The dr says take it in the morning on an empty stomach. I'm reluctant to do this, as I don't want to be tied to the bathroom all day. Does anyone have experience with Linzess and how it works? What can I expect?

I’ve been taking it for a month. And yes it keeps you home most of the morning. Also if I take it 4 days in a row, I get some nausea so I switch it up with herbal lax from shackle. If I get backed up due to diet,or lack of water I get set back and have pain and exhaustion.good luck

Hello! My name is Tony. I was Dx with a redundant colon back in 2013. Things have gotten progressively worse over the past nine years. Currently I have severe bloating, abd pain, constipation and weight gain. I have a high fiber vegan diet and exercise daily - usually power walking 4-6 miles per day. Has anyone else, with a redundant colon, experienced an issue with weight gain? The bloating and abd pain is bad enough, but to now have a weight issue is really quite distressing. Any thoughts?

Hello @tonytenor and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You will notice that I have moved your post into an existing discussion on redundant colon to help you connect with others who have some of the same experiences, potentially.

Members such as @jcarndt @darcystaples @lasirvent and @tropicbev may have some additional ideas to share given their history.

One thing that I immediately thought of with regard to your concern with weight gain is if you are doing cardio alone and/or the same type of cardio, it may be benefitting you mainly from a heart health standpoint and not as much from a weight loss/maintenance standpoint. Have you tried incorporating some weight exercises to trick your body back into weight loss mode?

I lift weights 5 days in the morning and 50 minutes of cardio after lunch

Thank you for your response. Herbal laxatives typically contain Senna, which usually works for me. Maybe I'll just go back to that.

Yes, I look pregnant. I started back exercing and bike riding after COVID and hip replacement surgery, is an so constipated now???

Hi Amanda! Thanks so much for your reply. Yes, I have been doing some light lifting. I've had to take it easy as my cervical spine surgery (ACDF) is still healing and causing me pain. The neurosurgeon said any heavy lifting is going to hurt. Not necessarily do any damage to the fusion, but hurt during and afterwards. Hopefully I'll be fully healed soon and pain free and I'll be able to get back to heavier lifting. I'm seeing the gastro doc tomorrow and I hope to get some answers.