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

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

christophermr | @christophermr | Dec 5, 2022
In reply to @tiss "I had the same diagnosis re long, redundant , twisty colon and had awful constipation for..." + (show)
@tiss

I had the same diagnosis re long, redundant , twisty colon and had awful constipation for my entire life. Colonoscopies were a nightmare back in the day when you were lucky to get a Valium. I am 62. 2 1/2 years ago I had a bowel obstruction from a cecal volulous and had to undergo emergency surgery (right hemicolectomy) to remove all of the ascending colon and then some. About 2 feet. It's been a long, hard recovery but with a good doctor, I've done pretty well with the bowel problems. Have been constipated twice since surgery. My colon had a rotated cecum-- rare, congenital bowel malformation that no test can detect unless you obstruct. The surgery itself is an awful recovery but, I'm grateful to be alive since the mortality rate for a cecal volvulus is high. I don't know if the rotated cecum has anything to do with the colon being extra long and twisty.

Jump to this post

Sound very similar to what I just experience this past summer. I am starting to have more constipation again now.

REPLY
colt1234 | @colt1234 | Dec 6, 2022

My heart goes out to all of you that have a redundant colon ! Our 5 year old son has that too , his colon is twice as long as it should be we finally found out when we took him to Mexico for more test ! Cuz here in Canada the docs. Kept saying all is normal ! and he’s suffered so much already no matter what diet we try ! Becuz if a colon is too long it has sharp bent areas where not even water can get through sometimes ! And one part of his colon goes way up over his stomach and when it presses on his stomach when there’s stool in there he very often can’t eat for a day or 2 etc. we have found out what helps a little bit for his colon to not get enflamed to often is plexus brand probiotic ,
Why are doctors refusing to take out some colon ?? In Mexico we found such a nice specialist who found the problem and gave us antibiotics for his very bad enfection in colon and another kind of pills to help stimulate his colon to push the stool through, but he said if that did’t help he’d need some colon taken out ,
Anyone out there that has had that surgery done ??
Should we get this surgery done for him in Mexico by that very wise specialist in Mexico ??

REPLY
2 replies
Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | Dec 6, 2022

@colt1234
Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect!
I’m so sorry to hear about your son’s suffering.
When children deal with chronic constipation it affects their food intake at a time when they need enough nutrition to grow. Your son looks thin in the picture.
If your home is in Canada I think you could bring the test results back home with you and try to get an appointment at a major University Medical Center where they also have all pediatric specialists.
Before deciding on surgery you need more opinions. He also needs close monitoring by pediatric surgeons if/when he has surgery.

REPLY
hdeninno | @hdeninno | Dec 17, 2022
In reply to @mel1987 "I was diagnosed in 2010 with tortuous colon which was discovered during a routine colonoscopy. I..." + (show)
@mel1987

I was diagnosed in 2010 with tortuous colon which was discovered during a routine colonoscopy. I have had very few problems until the beginning of 2019 when I began developing severe muscle spasms in my lower left abdomen and lower left back. I cannot think any other reason why these spasms would occur other than a result from the tortuous colon. I have also had severe constipation which I cannot find relief for. Has anyone else had anything similar happen?

Jump to this post

Yes! I have had issues for the past couple of years and told it was Diverticulosis. I had a colonoscopy in June and the doctor told me it was IBSD and I have an extra long colon. It’s miserable. I’m still trying to figure it out. Would love some help too.

REPLY
jaleh | @jaleh | Jan 4, 2023

Does anybody here does Smooth Move tea? It works really well for me but the Dr. is saying I should quit taking it.

REPLY
1 reply
clkurth | @clkurth | Jan 5, 2023
In reply to @jaleh "Does anybody here does Smooth Move tea? It works really well for me but the Dr...." + (show)
@jaleh

Does anybody here does Smooth Move tea? It works really well for me but the Dr. is saying I should quit taking it.

Jump to this post

This is a potent tea which effectively “moves” the stuck bowels. I find it also tends to be irritating to the intestines, so I don’t suggest using it routinely, but only on a PRN basis. Just my experience.

REPLY
sallyw133 | @sallyw133 | Jan 5, 2023

I have extremely slow motility and experience a lot of constipation. My gi has told me ok to use if no movement after 5 days. What I’m trying now, with her ok, is 1 senna tablet after 2-3 days instead. So far, that seems to gets things moving for me without the big “clean out” I get with the tea. If you compare the senna content b/t the two, you will be amazed how much is in the tea. Especially, depending upon how long you steep it. The one advantage with the tea for me is that it generally works in a couple of hours. The pill are overnight so I’m waiting around the next day. All a matter of the result you’re looking for. Probably more detail than you’re looking for but I’ve been at this a longgg time and always searching for solutions.

REPLY
1 reply
clkurth | @clkurth | Jan 6, 2023
In reply to @sallyw133 "I have extremely slow motility and experience a lot of constipation. My gi has told me..." + (show)
@sallyw133

I have extremely slow motility and experience a lot of constipation. My gi has told me ok to use if no movement after 5 days. What I’m trying now, with her ok, is 1 senna tablet after 2-3 days instead. So far, that seems to gets things moving for me without the big “clean out” I get with the tea. If you compare the senna content b/t the two, you will be amazed how much is in the tea. Especially, depending upon how long you steep it. The one advantage with the tea for me is that it generally works in a couple of hours. The pill are overnight so I’m waiting around the next day. All a matter of the result you’re looking for. Probably more detail than you’re looking for but I’ve been at this a longgg time and always searching for solutions.

Jump to this post

I suggest 1 large T of high quality extra virgin olive oil at night before bed. This reliably cleans me out and is also good for your health overall. Also drink a very big glass of water each morning. This helps to power through any stuck or resistant bowel.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.