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Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?
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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This is a long shot but..........can you exercise a lot to maybe get things moving? Walk a few miles a day, sit ups, that kind of stuff.
I get a minimum of 16 hours of exercise a week. But thx
Thx but for many people with a redundant colon, fiber just makes the situation worse. I am one of those people
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1 ReactionHave you seen a doctor in one of the university hospitals? Is there a Mayo near you?
No Mayo but Duke and Wake Forest are an option.
Atrantil or a very good probiotics such as Culturelle or Align. You may need to increase Miralax to the point its helping. Also add fiber to your diet - fruits and vegetables
Yes, not a long shot at al! Great suggestion. I am a runner and run 20ish miles a week plus 3-4 spin classes, yoga.
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1 ReactionI am 71 years old. I was told my colon was "redundant" on my last colonoscopy report 5/21. In October of 22 I started experiencing severe diarrhea once a week, finally went to my PCP and all bloodwork and stool samples came back fine, but I had a "moderate bowel burden". So I was to start MiraLAX and see a gastroenterologist, but not till 1/9/23. She had me add fiber and scheduled a colonoscopy, which ended up not being until 3/30/23 along with an upper GI endoscopy. I experienced a lot of diarrhea and pain in the middle of my belly right under my sternum. If I felt like I was stopping up I used Smooth Move tea. It was almost to the point where the Smooth Move Tea and MiraLAX did not seem to be helping much. I now have dx of a "severely tortuous and redundant colon", Dr's words, not mine. And some other things also, but seem to me to be minor in comparison. I see the gastroenterologist on 4/12. She has me on MiraLAX once a day now. Increase my fiber, drink more, exercise and I am also trying to increase my Omega 3 and 6. I can barely eat much for the evening meal, because I almost immediately have a lot of discomfort and pressure right under my ribcage, in the center. I choose to take the MiraLAX before bed because I work evenings, not mornings. I have tried heat to my abdomen, some yoga stretches, massage, with very little relief. I have noticed that the increase in water and natural food fiber has seemed to help. I just don't know what else to do except wait for my appointment and hope she has some suggestions, prefer natural things, not prescriptions. I did have chronic constipation as a child, and can only a couple experiences as an adult where I felt like I could not have a bm. It has turned my life upside down, so just trying to upright myself again so I can successfully live with this.
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5 ReactionsMaybe the heartburn is not related to the Miralax and just a coincidence. Maybe you should see an endocrinologist to make sure. It may be GERD and is treatable.
I have stopped taking the ML and the heartburn went away. Thx!