Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?

Does tortuous colon symptoms get better? I been suffering from constipation, reflux and nauseated. I had a colonoscopy and I was diagnosed with tortuous colon. I am on meds for constipation that helps a little, but I’m miserable and I can’t be social and this is getting to me.

I’m so sorry- I understand! I have lived with this all my life and never been diagnosed until now (age 70)! But you find a way. I had rectal surgery at age 36 (fissures, fistulas, hemorrhoids, etc). Still no one mentioned this. I have always managed on my own, and this is a delicate balance. Not too much fiber, but definitely need some, be careful what you eat or you will suffer for days, etc. Even got a rectocele after not having a bm for 12 days after spinal fusion. I have avoided laxatives because they can keep over-working for days since digestion is so slow. Always wondered why I spent the whole (and I mean ALL) night crying and bleeding on the toilet before a colonoscopy, and then wasn’t even cleaned out all the way. Now I know it was because it takes me 2 days to digest what others do in a few hours.
And it does affect your schedule. At this point I don’t schedule anything before noon because I don’t leave the house before that. If it takes me until noon to go I will wait, because skipping a day now only causes pain & bleeding from internal hemorrhoids. Laxatives only end up causing days of diarrheal and leaking, so no. But glycerin suppositories occasionally help.
Not to mention it’s not a topic you can talk to others about comfortably- no one really wants to hear it. I don’t blame them! So you can’t really explain to clients or friends that you can’t plan on an early appt.
But hey, it could be a lot worse! I haven’t had to have surgery down there since that first one. It’s not cancer. And, thankfully, so far no diverticulitis or volvulous. And God sees me through- He knows the gory details and loves me anyway! Hang in there- find out what works for you to keep things moving and rely on yourself when you can. You’ll find a routine that works, and you’ll manage. There are people like me out here who understand and care❤️

I’m so sorry ur going thru this! I don’t have any medical answers for u but I want you to know that God does care for you! Just tell Him everything!
I was diagnosed with Gastro paresis about 10 years ago and either esophageal spasms (or Achalasia) more recently.
Something I just started trying was massaging my stomach following the digestive track. I rub up on my right side of my stomach, across the top, and down on the left side. I also massage my abdomen as a whole. I do this for about 15 minutes a day, sometimes longer and more than once a day. I’ve seen incredible results in having actual bowel movements vs diarrhea or constipation!
I’m having another endoscopy & minomitre(?) in a couple weeks followed with another colonoscopy to get to the “bottom” (Lol) of my issues.
I pray u get relief as well as good advice from the great people here😎

Thank you!

I too have a redundant and torturous colon. And I also use abdominal message to help with motility. I seem to go from constipation and not diarrhea but softer stools. I had used Miralax and Citracel for years but had incontinance issues with the Miralax. I am currently taking Slow Mag twice a day. I seem to have trouble with certain foods as I have IBS as well. I am doing Pelvic Floor PT and they have been a big help. Having a colonoscopy is a nightmare and I think at this point I am done with that. One big issue with me is gas and controlling it. I often have no idea it is there and suddenly I pass it. Very embarrassing but impossible to control. I think because of all the twists and turns. I am afraid I am developing a small amount of anal prolapse. Seeing a new Gastro next month. Found my old one to be too busy doing procedures to help me solve my issues. Thank goodness I found a wonderful Primary Care Dr. That is helping me. Mentally this is such a difficult journey! I had an Aunt that never left her house the last 10 to 15 years of her life and a mother that pushes through, but has terrible incontinence! I am 69 years old and very active. My PT person is so against surgery, but sometimes I think it might be good!

I am 69 & understand your issues. It is comforting to know there are others out there suffering with these difficulties but wouldn’t it be so wonderful if there was a solution that gastroenterologists could agree on. I found them pandemic became a good excuse to not leave the house & has just exacerbated my tendency to avoid outings.

what is Amaranth?

I’d love to hear more!

Please try MCT oil. Just a teaspoon in your tea or coffee in the morning, will sort out constipation. It taste like nothing and you will go every day!

My dr has suggested an X-ray defography. I believe I read somewhere in one of these posts, I could be mistaken as I read much everywhere!, but I thought it was advised not to use barium with a severely redundant/tortuous colon as to the possibility of the residual barium “hardening-up in all those bends and kinks and causing much difficulty after testing is completed. Anyone recall this or had this test done and had good or bad experience. My previous dr would have done MRI defography which does not use barium. My new dr feels xray gives much better results.