Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?

If I eat the wrong foods, I can definitely have the pain you describe. I don't eat like everyone else. I drink a lot of my food -- blended or chunky vegetable soups, cooked hot cereal, nothing raw (too hard to digest), only fish, lactaid-free milk, egg whites and protein powder. And more, but I may have more issues than you. I always drink something, to help move things along in my extra-long redundant colon. Water is great for that - just sip throughout the day.

Consider a dietitian -- one that specializes in GI issues. A lot of virtual appointments are available now, so they don't have to be within driving distance. I don't use one, but if you are looking for expert advice, that may be a good source.

Yes, I do! Just had a colonoscopy and this time no problems. Found one pre-cancerous polyp.

I do not see a trial of Linzess in your comment, gosh removal of some colon seems unbelievable and drastic!! The recovery and pain...no thanks..I've increased my fiber..I drink a ton of water...linzess did nothing for me...I finally went (poo)and its been a WEEK since my EGD..Im going to see GI tomorrow for some help...I feel fat nauseated and miserable...Im a very seasoned nurse so I wont take bs for advice...

Gosh..my GI said it was challenging but got the EGD completed...I had anesthesia to give propofol so very smooth procedure...a week out and FINALLY got some nuggets out..still nauseated from constipation..bloated...I'm seeing him tomorrow

So…went to Mayo gastro to find out why I have EPI. TURNS OUT I DON’T,! Two endoscopies and colonoscopy later turns out to be SIBO. Who knew. Appears a stool test can be misleading about enzymes. Dr. said I have a pancreas of a 20 year old 🥳

Hi Jayne. I don’t have a redundant colon. I do however have serious small bowel issues from the removal of a 9lb benign tumor and then having a 4 inch piece of my omentum lodged in my small intestine for a year and half.
After my 3rd surgery I was told to use fodmap and I just got sick. Constipation dehydration bloating early satiety lethargic and so on. For weeks.
After 9 years of trying everything including drinking up to 2 gallons of water a day. I know follow a low fiber diet, drink a minimum of a gallon of water a day, move often, and don’t eat certain foods( low fiber or not)
This is not your solution, it is a trail and error, but maybe this will help.
No one understands how sick you can feel during a flare up and how frustrating it is that there is so little help. Good luck, and last do not just rely on doctors every person is different with complicated intestinal issues, literally listen to your gut.

I do have a redundant colon. Absolutely has very little to do with diet, although I do find that the worst thing I did was gluten free ... led me to severe fecal blockages ... and I do struggle with red meat so I stay away from it. I live in Canada and surgical treatment isn't even seen as an option. I have had so many complications, it is awful, and everything that people believe works does not. I recently had hiatal hernia surgery as my reflux was unbearable due to the constipation. Osmotic laxatives are the worst for me and give me np relief. A high fibre diet, lots of water, and senna work the best. I know this was a long time ago so I hope you got surgery

I was just diagnosed with a redundant or torturous colon. I also have a hiatal hernia, esophagus motility issues, and acid reflux. What I have discovered is that there is no medications, supplements, or diet that will totally correct these issues. I quit taking PPI inhibitors because of the recently released study that they can cause a 30% chance of early onset dementia and I have a family history of that. So, I have been left with trying to figure all this out on my own. My Gastroenterologist prescribed heavy doses of Miralax to clean me out and said to take 1 capful, three times a day for maintenance. Well, that was awful! I was having accidents (if you know what I mean) so I had to stop it. Then I read on this blog that someone said a supplement called Cleanse More helped them (magnesium supplement) so I asked my doctor about it and he said it was safe to take and told me to take 2 capsules every other day. That was touch and go. Two capsules seemed to be too much and one wasn't enough so right now I just started back on 1 capful of Miralax once a day and two Cleanse More capsules every other day. We'll see what happens. Regarding the high-fiber diet, I have read conflicting reports and my doctor told me that a low-fiber diet is better for this condition. High-fiber foods will cause too much bulk and will be harder to pass through. I have also seen a surgeon regarding the colon issue and he said surgery is a last resort but to come back to see him if I cannot get a handle on this. It is so confusing trying to figure all this out!

margoriem, I am not convinced that diet and massage/body manipulation aren't the answers for my IBS-C and severely redundant colon. I hope you can figure it all out. Attached is what works for me, but I am always trying new things.

One thing is for sure, a redundant colons needs a lot of H2O. Chia seeds, soaked in boiling water and added to my hot cereal prevents constipation. I am guessing moderate fiber is what I do--and it is with real food, not processed food. Adding abdominal massage in the a.m. upon rising, going from sitting (kinks the colon which doesn't help) to standing and moving around helps too.

Yes, it is confusing to try and figure out, but I really believe I can come up with good solutions for myself.

See attached.

researchmaven, thanks for your feedback and best wishes!