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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@md123

Hi there, my understanding is bile breaks down fat. The pancreas creates bile and sends to the gallbladder to store. The gallbladder releases when you consume fat. When the gallbladder is removed the pancreas still creates bile but has no where to store and drips it into the intestines slowly. I was suffering every time I ate anything high in fat. A hamburger, steak, loaded baked potato are examples. I would be up all night. Now that I take enzymes, I can pretty much eat anything. As a footnote, I had my gallbladder removed when I was 30 and now 60. Never had a problem until I hit 50. Hope that helps and is clear. I am frustrated with conventional doctors as they all knew I had my gallbladder removed and ordered endoscopy’s but never once discussed enzymes or probiotics with me.

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Hey which enzymes do you take. Thank you for sharing this with me.

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@dream1649

Hey which enzymes do you take. Thank you for sharing this with me.

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ZenWise Digestive Enzymes with Prebiotics and Probiotics.

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@md123

ZenWise Digestive Enzymes with Prebiotics and Probiotics.

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That's the one I'm trying right now. Thank you.

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@clkurth

My gastro doctor has recommended I have a bowel resection due to chronic bouts of diverticulitis and diverticulosis. The last bout I had left me badly inflamed and in pain and tenderness long after the infection had cleared. I am hopeful this intervention will rectify this problem, which is a by product of my redundant colon. Anyone out there had bowel resection surgery?

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I had 1 month ago It is not an easy surgery and is a major surgery If you have other option I would do option I will tell u my dr said it will take 2 months to be 80 percent myself It’s been 1 month for me I won’t lie to anyone it’s not an easy surgery

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@colt1234

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 ??

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Dear Colt 1234
How is your son doing?
Keeping him in my prayers.
🙏🙏🙏🙏

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@jcarndt

I have Crohn's disease and a redundant/tortuous colon. I have had two bowel resections, one in 2007 and again in 2015, but constipation was never a problem for me until after the second surgery. I've had the Crohn's disease for many years, but did not even know about the redundant colon until a few years ago. I was reading the report after one of many colonoscopies, and saw those words for the first time. I asked the doctor about it, and he said it was nothing to be concerned about. But I am concerned about it. After about three minutes of research, I realized that there was a direct connection between my redundant colon, and my daily battle with constipation and bloating. I go back and forth between trying to get my bowels moving, and spending the whole next day in the bathroom. Sometimes I feel as though there is a lot of trapped gas in the kinks and loops. The doctors haven't offered much advice on any of this. When I asked if the redundant colon was the cause of the chronic constipation, the answer was "maybe".........
Anyway, I accidentally landed here while once again searching for ways to manage this situation, or at least make it a bit more tolerable. The posts I have read here today have been very helpful. I think I will give the Sennokot a try, because my daily Miralax just isn't doing the job, and I don't even want to think about Milk of Magnesia anymore. It sounds like I need to get more fiber as well. But I'm a little concerned about getting too much because of the Crohns. All I have to do is eat a bowl of oatmeal or a banana, and I'm all jammed up. If any of you have Crohn's and redundant colon, I'm open to any ideas. Or even if you don't have Crohn's. I'm also wondering if there are any exercises that would help.

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I'm just now realizing this is what my problem has been for years. It feels very serious with not a lot of solutions. I too found out about mine via the colonoscopy results.
Sorry, I don't have answers. Yes, Senna can help for sure.
I have to use senna, Miralax, and sometimes fleet. For really bad episodes I add milk of magnesia, which is disgusting.

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@branckerd

I had 1 month ago It is not an easy surgery and is a major surgery If you have other option I would do option I will tell u my dr said it will take 2 months to be 80 percent myself It’s been 1 month for me I won’t lie to anyone it’s not an easy surgery

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Thank you for your insight

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Thank you so much for your comments. I replied to another comment that I'm just now realizing this is what I e even struggling with for years.

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@teresagiselle

I have this condition and used to have problems with constipation, bloating and abdominal discomfort. I tried taking a Metamucil-type (generic) fiber powder in water each day and it's made all the difference! I have regular bowel movements and feel greet. My GI doc has me undergo a colonoscopy every 18 months, as he's found a number of polyps and I have a family history of colon cancer.

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Thank you for the input. I have this condition. For some reason I tried Metamucil years ago and I didn't like it- I didn't think it helped, so I stopped trying. After reading your comments, I think I'll try it again, as this is really messing with my health. Thanks.

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@amyvb

I have had IBS-C issues for as long as I can remember, but about 7 years ago they became chronic to the point where I can go a week (or more) without any bowel movement if I'm not taking laxatives. I have had dozens of tests, and the only useful information I have received so far was from a visit to the Mayo clinic in Rochester a little over a year ago, where they discovered I have a "highly tortuous colon" and could barely complete a colonoscopy. The recommendations at that time included increasing my fiber, which doesn't help at all. Other tests have also revealed that I have a partially prolapsed lower colon, but not to the point where surgery would be a good idea. Taking fiber supplements makes me extremely bloated and becomes unbelievably painful, and Miralax makes me sick to my stomach and doesn't do too much to move things along. I've tried different things with my diet, and right now, I mostly eat white rice (brown is too hard to digest), vegetables, and small amounts of protein. I feel like i'm going a little crazy trying different things like eliminating dairy or other food restrictions, but I don't know what else to do. I completely avoid gluten. I've been very active my whole life...have run marathons and done lots of strength training and different types of endurance races, but recently I don't have the energy for the types of training that these events require. @karena65 Do you have a resource that you can share on the whole plant diet? Is there any other advice anyone can share?

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Karen- I'm also Karen. I feel for you because I'm having increased issues as well. I would not eat white rice - that can actually cause constipation?
I'm new to this group and even though I've struggled with this for years. I'm just now realizing what it is. Now I don't feel crazy.

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