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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Profile picture for marjoriem @marjoriem

Is Australian black licorice something you eat or in pill form? Also, I have gerd and hiatal hernia so I have to be careful about what foods trigger an extreme discomfort episode.

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Australian licorice is usually sold in gourmet type candy stores. Looks similar to American licorice, but is much softer and has incredibly strong flavor. Not suggested for people who have high blood pressure, which I do, so I only eat it when I have to. 2 or 3 pieces help, but I don’t know if it will affect your herd or hiatal hernia.
Best of luck to you

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Profile picture for marmoldav @marmoldav

Hello. I just had my first colonoscopy and the report on it says I have a tortuous colon. For some time now I have complained to my doctor that I get full after eating very little. I had loads of test done that tested my stomach and at what speed it emptied. They said everything was fine. I still have the problem and, to be honest, it's worse since the colonoscopy. I have had no contact from the doctor since the colonoscopy about the results (tortuous colon and a tubular adenoma) which I find strange and if I don't here soon I'm going to ask my primary care doctor what to do. I'm wondering if the tortuous colon is the cause for the full feeling and how it will effect future colonoscopies because with the tubular adenoma I think I'm gonna need colonoscopy more than every 10 years. If anyone has a similar experience I'd like to hear about it.

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I have this condition but the only time it bothers me is once every three years when I have a colonoscopy. My prep is very extensive. Otherwise, I don’t think about it. We eat a lot of fruit and vegetables at our house and walk five miles every morning.

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Profile picture for reillyg1013 @reillyg1013

Australian licorice is usually sold in gourmet type candy stores. Looks similar to American licorice, but is much softer and has incredibly strong flavor. Not suggested for people who have high blood pressure, which I do, so I only eat it when I have to. 2 or 3 pieces help, but I don’t know if it will affect your herd or hiatal hernia.
Best of luck to you

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Thank you!

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In reply to @marjoriem "Thank you!" + (show)
Profile picture for marjoriem @marjoriem

Thank you!

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What is extensive about your prep, if you don't mind me asking? Mine was discovered during my first colonoscopy and I'm wondering if my prep next time will be different.

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Profile picture for darcystaples @darcystaples

I was diagnosed with tortuous colon 2 years ago and after a lot of trial and error found that working with elimination of food triggers as well as food that has slow transit time like meat helps. Also stomach massage in the morning before getting out of bed in a clockwise manner. The supplements I take nightly are magnesium O7 and Cleanse More by Renew Life. It has also been my experience that stress plays a big part of this issue. Good luck. My background is nutrition and massage therapy. Metamucil just clogged me up and caused painful gas. I am 70

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Thank you for sharing that information. I was diagnosed with Tortuous colon a year ago and not finding a real good diet plan. My DRs just want to prescribe more drugs and I’ve learned that the Metamucil and other brands are not what helps. Can you tell me more about the cleaning product and is it safe? Thank you.
Sheri

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Profile picture for marmoldav @marmoldav

What is extensive about your prep, if you don't mind me asking? Mine was discovered during my first colonoscopy and I'm wondering if my prep next time will be different.

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In my last colonscopy, my gastro doc (knowing I didn't clear out prior but not knowing I had a redundant colon) just added an additional day of liquids for me, which wasn't enough of a change for a clear-out.

Others on this forum have suggested:

1. Laxative before (1) six days before the Suprep stop eating all the listed "stop foods." four days before Suprep clear liquids only. Then the Suprep.

2. One week before, a half cap of Miralax with your normal supplements and medications. A few days before eat just jow fiber, and the day before and day of use the prep and drink clear liquids.

I will likely try No. 1 as Miralax doesn't work for me (other than making me nauseous).

Opening to hearing other prep ideas.

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Profile picture for marmoldav @marmoldav

What is extensive about your prep, if you don't mind me asking? Mine was discovered during my first colonoscopy and I'm wondering if my prep next time will be different.

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Hello marvoldav, I'm not sure I understand your question. Can you provide a little more information on what you are asking?

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Profile picture for kjn72 @kjn72

JN: I am a 72y/o woman with severe constipation & a redundant colon. 7 years ago I had 14" of colon removed and 3 additional surgeries for a rectocele, entrocele and another bowel prolapse. I have been severely constipated before and after surgeries. I have tried evert kind of otc med, laxatives, fibers and many prescribed meds, drink 1/2 gallon of water, swim 4-5 times weekly, do zumba nothing works. I have thrown up after 6 days of not going. I have pains in right upper and left lower abdominal areas. I am enema dependent to empty my bowels, it is a painful process and can last for 3 hours every time I do it. 2 surgeons recommended colectomy, 1 did not. 1 GI recommended surgery, 2 did not. I am a young 72 and want to continue living actively with less difficulty. Anyone have surgery that worked, and what kind to eliminate this problem? I have been told that colectomy can also produce bloating, gas, things I am already dealing with. Thank you for your help
JN

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It’s becoming a full time job dealing with a long and torturous colon ( redundant ).
Lifelong constipation, now age 73 it’s getting me down.
I saw a specialist yesterday and he suggested a combination of laxatives with occasional suppositories.
The laxatives of which I have tried many work for a few weeks and then stop 🤷‍♀️
I think the only way would be to cut a length of it out , but he said that’s a bit dramatic, we should try something that may work for me ???
I too think that it aggravates my backache, and bloating is like being pregnant!!!!!🥹🥹
I wish I had the answer……
Good luck everyone…

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Profile picture for marmoldav @marmoldav

What is extensive about your prep, if you don't mind me asking? Mine was discovered during my first colonoscopy and I'm wondering if my prep next time will be different.

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I have not been diagnosed with this condition, but for my recent colonoscopy I had to prep a week in advance of the final prep day. I had to use a full packet of miralax every morning and limit my diet to chicken baked or boiled (yuck) and eggs. The miralax did nothing for me at all, but thankfully I cleaned out on the prep day.

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Profile picture for marjoriem @marjoriem

Thank you darcystaples. Has the Cleanse More caused you any emergency bathroom situations? I just might give this a try.

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Not really.

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