1. < Digestive Health

Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?

Posted by onaquest @onaquest, Nov 7, 2018

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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kayburnett | @kayburnett | Jun 9, 2022
In reply to @notmoff "Thanks for the idea. I think I will start with this super simple recipe mainly because..." + (show)
@notmoff

Thanks for the idea. I think I will start with this super simple recipe mainly because I don't have any almond milk. I may add a smidgeon of cashew cream to improve its consistency and then add chopped strawberries, which I do have.
1/4 cup chia seeds
2/3 cup water

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Has anyone on this list tried apple cider vinegar at bedtime (several Tbs) or Magnesium citrate? I’ve heard that these can be helpful for the constipation side of this problem.

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1 reply
kalbin | @kalbin | Jun 9, 2022
In reply to @anne4u "Congratulations on your weight loss! Wow, what an amazing accomplishment! You are obviously very dedicated to..." + (show)
@anne4u

Congratulations on your weight loss! Wow, what an amazing accomplishment! You are obviously very dedicated to lose 90 lbs in just over a year.
Being new to tortuous colon myself, I’m also reading and researching what to do about it. Ideally natural solutions are best! I’m simply getting through the immediate symptoms as I make adjustments in diet and find what works. I have tried some flavored water and added lime and lemon as you suggested. I have an alkaline water machine and I like the flavor of the water. It’s just an adjustment like anything else. Sounds like you do plenty of water. I’m surprised it doesn’t help more.
My pain is from a few sources. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2003. It knocked me off my feet! I was on disability within 2 years of the diagnosis. I had severe symptoms and it took me years to make necessary adjustments to deal with them. I’m doing much better but have bad days. After an injury, I began having back pain. Years later I have some serious problems with nerve compression in my spine, degenerative disk disease, bulging disks, etc. I do what I can to cope with pain but have decided to look into some treatment options. I want to see if they will provide enough relief to get me moving more so I can start swim therapy and be more mobile. I’m at the point I’m pretty limited due to pain. I’m in the process of stopping pain medication so withdrawal is a factor in this. Now the colon diagnosis!
I’m optimistic! I incorporate modern medicine and a holistic approach to my treatment plan! Balance in everything! It’s a life style change!
I’d enjoy hearing how you’re doing and what you find to help. I’m happy to share what helps me!

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I am glad you're going to try swim therapy--I teach swimming lessons I find it to be both very mentally and physically helpful for my well being!
You have a lot going on, prayers for you feeling your best soon!

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clutch | @clutch | Jun 9, 2022
In reply to @jaleh "Clutch! What is Colace caplets? I just ordered Prunelax. I wonder if I should do Smooth..." + (show)
@jaleh

Clutch! What is Colace caplets? I just ordered Prunelax. I wonder if I should do Smooth Move tea AND Prunelax, they both have senna in them? So, you do Prunelax, Colace and probiotic? You are in as bad of a shape as I am. Sometimes I look at our countertop and all I see is poop stuff...(Miralax, Fiber, Smooth Move, Psyllium)...that's a lot of stuff I have. Now I'll add Prunelax. I'm becoming a collector!

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Colace is a stool softener. I take those regularly, along with a probiotic daily. If things get sluggish, I will add psyllium fiber or Senokot tablets before bed. This regimen usually works well.

In cases where these aren’t working, I will add a low dose Prunelax. Yes, it is Senna extract, so if you may not need the tea. The Prunelax always gets me going in balance again.

Let me know how it works for you!

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notmoff | @notmoff | Jun 9, 2022
In reply to @kayburnett "Has anyone on this list tried apple cider vinegar at bedtime (several Tbs) or Magnesium citrate?..." + (show)
@kayburnett

Has anyone on this list tried apple cider vinegar at bedtime (several Tbs) or Magnesium citrate? I’ve heard that these can be helpful for the constipation side of this problem.

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I take magnesium citrate at bedtime with because it may work best overnight to relieve constipation. However, I understand that if you have an allergy to histamine, acv can cause constipation and bloating. I think Dr. Will Bulsiewicz suggested this in his latest book.

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dea3 | @dea3 | Jun 10, 2022

I have this, too. Seeking to find what works. Taking Linzess but very expensive. My doc said no fiber supplements. Thanks to all who comment.
DEA3

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lskoehl62 | @lskoehl62 | Jun 10, 2022

I had 2 colonoscopy this year in April and June neither could be complete because of this extra long colon. My problem is I wasn’t going to poo and I would have to take 2 laxatives on Tuesday to go on Wednesday. My family doctor put me on 4 8oz of Miralax, 2 stool softeners and 3 fiber daily. I was pooping like a little kitten after that. The gastroenterologist took me off all that put me on Linzess, said he would not suggest surgery at this time cause I have a lot of scar tissue after several surgery’s. Now I’m not going again.

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dbush73 | @dbush73 | Jun 11, 2022

Epsom salt has helped me a GREAT deal!!

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1 reply
hopeful2 | @hopeful2 | Jun 11, 2022
In reply to @notmoff "Your suggestion about adding tahini & applesauce to butternut squash sounds good to me. I've read..." + (show)
@notmoff

Your suggestion about adding tahini & applesauce to butternut squash sounds good to me. I've read that dairy can be constipating so I might replace the yogurt with hemp powder to get the protein I need. I've been relucatant to use acacia or psyllium fiber for fear I might not accompany it with sufficient water. I'd like to reduce my senna and Miralax usage.

Recently constipation has been less of an issue for me, maybe because several times a day, I've been putting about 1/2 teaspoon of chia seeds in the bottom of a drinking glass, adding about 1/4 C of water, stir with a fork to break up the seeds, wait about 15 minutes until they have gelled up and then stir in about 1 - 1/2 C more water and drink. If I mix them all at once, the seeds clump.

I enjoy the "sliminess" of steamed okra, but find it pricey. I haven't noticed how it affects my gut.

Thank you for the good ideas.

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Thanks for you chia seed routine. I will try it soon. Does it matter what kind of chia you use?--white or black?

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hopeful2 | @hopeful2 | Jun 11, 2022

I just saw the nurse practitioner for the gastro doc this week for follow up to colonoscopy results. I was taking 1 senokot and one cap of miralax at bedtime. It seemed to somewhat work, but developed hives after 3 weeks of usage. I have not been able to differentiate which one I have become sensitized to so quickly. So, I switched to two capsules of magnesium oxide formula that is about 600 mg total. I had good results. But we are talking only two days here, so don't get excited. He insists that I not take senna because "it makes the colon lazy". He suggests that I take colace instead. Please correct me on the following information: colace is a mineral oil based softener that can interfere with the absorption of fat soluble vitamins and generally is hard on the liver. Senna and cascara sagrada are stimulant laxatives that can lose their effectiveness over time so that you have to keep increasing the dosage. Bisacodyl is a stimulant laxative that is subject to the same tolerance side effects as senna. The literature says that stimulant laxatives can lead to megacolon. So, when the nurse practitioner tells me no senna, I am thinking, "why take away the very thing that actually works?" I get his reasoning, but my abdominal pain level is always moderate to high and I won't last very long without help. The next step is to offer me prescription meds. I am almost 70 and I am looking at this like you do when you are a senior citizen, should I buy the deluxe model of fridge based on my life expectancy? Should I worry about tolerance to senna at my age when it works so well? I have only been at this for a little over two months and I am already worn out. You guys are incredible. I have learned more from all of you than I would every learn form the pcp or gastro doc. There is an expression that ER docs use. It is "GOPHER", which means "get out of my ER". I just bet docs have one for constipated patients, also. I can see how their eyes want roll back in their heads when a patient mentions constipation, but dang, if it was their body, I bet they would feel differently. All those greeting card jokes about senior citizens not being able to poop or pee aren't so funny now. I guess I will console myself by whipping up my first batch of chia pudding with black cherries.

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hopeful2 | @hopeful2 | Jun 11, 2022

Sorry, that is "GOMER"------get out of my ER! I guess I have been thinking too much about the tunnels of my colon. Like a GOPHER---HA!

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