Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?

Yes, I am 70 and JUST found out I have a redundant/tortuous colon from a colonoscopy! So crazy- it explains the lifelong constipation, TERRIBLE colonoscopy preps ( longer colon= up all night on the toilet instead of a few hours- and even then it’s not a clean colonoscopy).
I have always just managed this on my own with fiber capsules, a handful of almonds every day. No one has ever diagnosed it before now or helped me with it. It’s a very delicate balance eating-wise for me. Can’t eat too much fiber, must get enough.
Because of this, surgeries can really mess you up because anesthesia stops your colon. So in my life I’ve had rectal surgery (in my 30s) , and after a spinal fusion I developed a rectocele. A very kind Physician’s Assistant (Michele at Dr. Penenberg’s at Cedar’s Sinai- thank you!) gave me a prescription for Movantik to take the day of my first total knee replacement surgery a couple years ago and then a few days after. Miracle! Was able to go the next day. Usually it has taken as long as 12 days after a surgery!
Moral of the story is to be very careful not to let yourself get constipated, even if you need a glycerin suppository. I make sure I go every day and don’t really leave my house until I do. So inconvenient! But it keeps me out of trouble. Easier to schedule stuff later now that I’m older, harder when I had little kids. Hang in there! You can manage it without surgery- just be very diligent.

I have the SI problem which showed up after a diagnoses of redundant colon.
Never had either before age 69. I know that it is all related. I suspect it is autoimmune. I do not have any solutions. If you find one, please let me know.

I have a tortuous colon and trying to follow a low map diet. It seemed to help at first but now things have slowed down and having more discomfort. I started drinking apple juice (2-3 cups a day) and miralax when things are not moving as they should. It’s helping move things but still uncomfortable. I plan on flying soon and getting nervous about flying- gas, more discomfort due to flying. Any advice or recommendations?

I also suffer from an elongated colon . I have had constipation daily for almost 24 yrs now . This problem has gotten so bad that any kind of bowel movement is extremely difficult to impossible. Eating has become an absolute no no . Laxatives do nothing. Fiber does not help. Drinking lots of water just makes me urinate more. A colonoscopy is impossible. The colonoscopy prep kit that is supposed to clean you out does absolutely nothing. Doctors have taken a CT scan of my colon so they know what I'm dealing with, but won't do anything about it. So I'm pretty much on a liquid diet. So I know what you are going through.

Does anyone know if Dulcolax Stimulant (Bisacodyl) can be taken long term? I take it a few times a week, and also take Miralax at night. This seems to work for me. I have seen a lot of suspicion/concern around L/T use of stimulants but nothing scientific to say it's not ok. Thx all!

Hi, just came across your post. I have a tortuous colon too. I didn't know that when I flew from NY to Alaska got very constipated. I don't know what a map diet is. I am on a high fiber diet, at least 30 grams of insoluble fiber daily and bring figs and chia whenever I travel. But I find the best things are broccoli, arugula, kale which really make the difference for me. Good luck!

Yes, and according to my doctors, I have a grossly redundant colon and a doctor suggested removing part of it and said it would help me have a normal life but I did not do that. We moved out of state and the new gastroenterologist said he would never remove part of a colon unless it was a medical reason to because of a problem, but not the case with me, and he told me to take MiraLAX every morning and drink plenty of water each day for the rest of my life. After a week, the MiraLAX did its job and continues to, and if I ever eat badly with not enough water and get stopped up then I do it (take miralax) in the morning and night for a day or two. I also just recently realized I eat faster than everyone and do not chew my food so I now take the time to do that before wolfing it down. Laxatives and fiber supplements never worked for me because they create more stool and MiraLAX just brings water in to the colon. Also, once a month or so I heat up in 8 ounce glass in the morning for five days of prune juice with pulp and drink it . I don’t know if that will help but I’m thinking your doctor can advise you. (I did not want part of my colon removed because my father had that done and it created scar tissue, which created its own problem when he had a blockage that needed emergency surgery, so the thought of doing that scares me unless of course, there is a Medical need.

I hope so as it’s so frustrating. I don’t know if you had your surgery yet or not but hope it’s a success and no more problems for you. By the way - I love your profile pic.

I’ve also been suffering same issue. Been told by number of doctors that removing “part” of colon is not solution to this problem. Used to this, but not current protocol. Have you had any testing done to see if you have slow motility, like a Smart Pill or bowel marker study? A few gi’s have also told me that most people, after years of constipation, will develop a redundant/tortuous colon from the straining. That alone will not cause symptoms. There are also prescription drugs, Amitiza, Linzess, Trulance, Motegrity. Have you tried any of these? Have you visited a skilled gi? Surgery would be your last resort when none of these things provides any relief. Then, I would be sure it’s a competent colo-rectal surgeon who will discuss all your options. Best of luck to you! Oh, and if you haven’t tried it, sometimes 1 tbsp of mineral oil at bedtime does help!

Just diagnosed after rectal prolapse surgery and finding this site very helpful.
Before the surgery I took Metamucil daily which kept me regular but now I suffer from constipation and wondering if I should stop the Metamucil which seems to make it worse. Maybe it’s plugging me up since it thickens in the colon?
Thanks for the tips.