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Redundant Torturous Colon-Nausea/Uncomfortable
Had a colonoscopy and this was the findings:
Redundancy of the colon, to the sigmoid colon transverse colon, and both flexures obscuring portions of the colon. Multiple redundant loops of colon noted, particularly the sigmoid colon, transverse colon and both flexures. This does obscure portions of the colon. There was no retrograde obstruction to either barium or air. No focal colonic stricture identified. No circumferential mass lesion seen in the colon. Tiny occasional diverticuli noted.
The doctor put me on Linzess which I ended up not being able to stand. I ended up changing doctors because my first one just wouldn't listen to me. I'm currently at another doctor who just put me on Trulance and wants to do another colonoscopy soon.
I'm consistently nauseous with lots of discomfort in my midsection. I have severe constipation (sometimes going well over a week-two weeks without any movement at all). I can't afford this medicine because my insurance won't pay for it, so even if it works it's not a good thing for me. I try to tell the doctors that but they don't seem to care and just want to push pharmacy items that are RIDICULOUSLY priced. I get so confused on what foods to eat because I'm told high fiber but then told high fiber can be bad. I tried the Whole 30 food plan and felt decent but no help with the constipation and still didn't feel great. I've read low carb isn't good because you need the fiber. I've tried fiber supplements, magnesium, probiotics/prebiotics, digestive enzymes when I eat, laxatives. Of course, laxatives work if I take enough but I know that's not good so I try not to. I just don't know what to try anymore.
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Doctors have not helped with constipation and IBS. What helps and is gentle enough on my system is a fiber supplement called Heather Tummy Fibers. A nurse nutritionist with John Muir Medical Center told me to take it years ago. At some point I tried Magnesium Citrate capsule 2 a night increasing later on but after many years, magnesium Citrate stopped working as a laxative. I went back to the tummy fibers which is Senegal Acaci pure and clean. I take 2-2 12 tablespoons every day or every other day (in other words I have to monitor my system and manage how I take it.) It helps greatly but still imperfectly. I try to eat a salad most days and mostly a plant based diet eliminating foods that add gas or bloat. That too helps. I increase my water intake when I remember, although too much water is not good for me. Bowel massage didn't really help but it does ease the stress of all this (can find on YouTube how to do it) and it is stressful and diminishes quality of life. The tummy fibers can be bought directly online or through Amazon. I highly recommend Heather Tummy Fibers over any OTC fiber supplements like Miralax, Metamucil etc. Those products made it worse. I know managing this chronic problem is a difficult dance but staying as stress free, doing deep breathing daily and being out in nature helps my mood and digestion. Please trust your body's intuition to find what helps you. Sincerely, AUDREY JOYCE
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3 ReactionsThere are certain yoga poses that help with constipation. YouTube those. Also walking if you can. I found if don’t have exercise during the day I’ll be constipated. I, against all expert eating advice, can’t eat oatmeal. Sends my system to a grinding halt.
I assume you have done a complete Google on any meds/supps you take to see of any slow gut transit time or "make you feel full" which means it slows down gut activity, which in my view is bad for redundant colon and leads to constipation. Same thing with food. Meat takes a long time for me to digest; fish is easy though, as are a few other proteins (egg whites, pea protein isolate).
There are a lot of earlier Mayo Connect posts on redundant or tortuous colon (same thing). Please read those and know that everyone's gut is different and you need to experiment with food and supps (and laxatives when needed). You will get it right!
I would not advise going 1-2 weeks w/o a bowel movement. That is so debilitating.
I have a severely redundant colon. I think that the Bragg brand apple cider vinegar I have with each meal either augments weak stomach acid or speeds up digestion time so my redundant colon functions more normally. A game-changer for my unique gut.
I also find that most laxatives just make me nauseous or are slightly painful. I have stumbled on mineral oil, a lubricant laxative, that works for me.
I got all of my solutions from Googling and reading these posts.
(FYI, I make other accomodations as I have IBS-C, including using Heather's peppermint oil and tea products. The above advice is my attempt to isolate what I do for the redundant colon part of my situation.)