Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?

Oh cool. I will try sleeping on my left side. I did finally hear from the doctor. And I have to have a colonoscopy every 5 years instead of every 10 years. The thing is that type of polyp that I mentioned, that's the type that has the propensity to turn into cancer. There's two types of polyps that they could find. One will always be benign and never turn into cancer and then the other one is the tubular adenoma. Tubular adenomas are exactly what they're looking for when they do colonoscopies. Those are the ones that are going to eventually become cancer and because of that I have to go every 5 years instead of 10. Also from what I've read redundant colon makes colonoscopies difficult. And actually in the report of my colonoscopy the doctor did indicate that it was difficult. So the fact that they're more difficult and that I have to have them more often is a little bit concerning

Oh cool. I will try sleeping on my left side. I did finally hear from the doctor. And I have to have a colonoscopy every 5 years instead of every 10 years. The thing is that type of polyp that I mentioned, that's the type that has the propensity to turn into cancer. There's two types of polyps that they could find. One will always be benign and never turn into cancer and then the other one is the tubular adenoma. Tubular adenomas are exactly what they're looking for when they do colonoscopies. Those are the ones that are going to eventually become cancer and because of that I have to go every 5 years instead of 10. Also from what I've read redundant colon makes colonoscopies difficult. And actually in the report of my colonoscopy the doctor did indicate that it was difficult. So the fact that they're more difficult and that I have to have them more often is a little bit concerning

I too have a torturous . Showed up on my last 2 colonoscopies, 2021 and 2023. But been causing problems since August of 2022. I drink more water, try to walk at least a mile a day, (was very sedentary), and increase my fiber. I too felt so uncomfortable after my evening meal, especially if I happened to eat more than normal. I do not like taking MiraLAX daily, and not sure adding fiber helps me. Especially when everything appears to get stuck right after I eat. I slept only on my left side for over 2 years, because of back issues, but have been sleeping on my back and right side a bit. Has not seemed to make it worse. I am looking for something more natural to work. May try the warm prune juice I saw recommended. My work schedule does not allow me to take MiraLAX every day - but I cannot seem to get completely away from it. I do use Smooth Move tea on occasion. I do like it but again, don't want to rely on it either. I feel like I can say this here, I feel like I have never pooped so much in my life since my colonoscopy and after having taken MiraLAX for 3-4 months before the colonoscopy. I had severe constipation as a child, but not so much or so bad as an adult. I massage my abdomen and put a heating pad on it some evenings right before bed. That feels so good. Still searching for natural helps other than what I am already doing. Best wishes for you.

Oh cool. I will try sleeping on my left side. I did finally hear from the doctor. And I have to have a colonoscopy every 5 years instead of every 10 years. The thing is that type of polyp that I mentioned, that's the type that has the propensity to turn into cancer. There's two types of polyps that they could find. One will always be benign and never turn into cancer and then the other one is the tubular adenoma. Tubular adenomas are exactly what they're looking for when they do colonoscopies. Those are the ones that are going to eventually become cancer and because of that I have to go every 5 years instead of 10. Also from what I've read redundant colon makes colonoscopies difficult. And actually in the report of my colonoscopy the doctor did indicate that it was difficult. So the fact that they're more difficult and that I have to have them more often is a little bit concerning

I’ve been dealing with weight loss, diarrhea, bloating, gas feeling full and acid buildup. I had my first colonoscopy/ upper endoscopy and it revealed that I have a torturous colon.I’m currently taking anti diarrheal, acid reducer and nausea meds as needed.
I’m very interested to hear about what foods are easier with this issue/ issues. I have not had much luck with most foods except bland.

Unfortunately the bowel, like all muscles atrophy as you age, so many seniors have bowel problems without all these other complicating issues. The only way to work the bowel muscles is through fiber (high soluable fiber foods best) which stretches the bowel and then it has to push it...like resistant training exercises at the gym lol. But I also found not sitting for very long, daily walks/stretch, loose clothing on abdomen, deep breathing/gentle pressure for pain, chew food completely to pulp (no hard pieces) etc etc helps. Also you may have developed different food intolerances due to bowel misfunction. I have been off dairy and gluten for over 30 years. I had actually developed a milk protein allergy at 30 yrs old. Allergist was stunned.

Hi! I didn’t mention symptoms to my MD possibly that would indicate anything other than what I was diagnosed with, which was Chorinc Ideopathic Constipation. It seemed in the beginning only Miralax worked, then the dr prescribed the Linzess which worked for about one and a half years. It ruled my mornings though!! I would have to drink such a huge amount of water to even get the meds to work. You couldn’t eat for 1/2 hour after the pill. The whole process probably took around 2 hours. I would use OTC colon cleansers that worked and then just recently stopped. Enemas forget it were pretty useless. Several times I used magnesium citrate, but that stopped working as well. I have also ended up in the ER for the constipation issue. I just ended up piling one thing on another just for any relief. Well this all backfired and I was then diagnosed with hyponatremia or low sodium and many of the symptoms that go with it. Nobody not even me put this all together and now it makes so much sense! What all this was doing to my electrolyte balance. The last straw was the Enulose. Worked great for about 3 days then nothing. Prescribed me so many bottles that are now just a waste. This kind of treatment is not, I guess, what a tortuous colon needs. I have another appointment scheduled with an MD actually the one who did my last colonoscopy. That appointment is 8/1. There is definitely a silver lining though. Stopping the meds and any aggravating foods has significantly reduced the inflammation and bloating! As if this Friday I have not used any meds.

Before I knew I had this problem I was complaining of stomach issues (nausea, feeling full quickly, I haven't had problems with constipation) and they did a bunch of tests and found no issues so on my own I started taking a probiotic/prebiotic and I really think it has helped. I'm literally scared to not take it lol. Since the colonoscopy I have also started a fiber supplement.

Hi, @bons64 - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. That is unfortunate that your tortuous colon has had a negative impact on your life and nobody ever said anything to you about it. I, too, learned I had this condition through my colonoscopy results. I assumed that no one talked to me about it because I'd never mentioned any symptoms, and I learned later when I did ask about it that that was the case. Evidently everyone with a tortuous colon does not experience symptoms from it. I'm truly sorry that in your case, where you were vastly affected by the tortuous colon, no one said something about it to you.

Trying a diet of really bland foods for awhile sounds wise, and I'm glad things are at least better, if not perfect.

Did any of the medications or other treatments you've had in the past help your symptoms at all? If so, how did they help? When is your new appointment with the MD?

How! New here. I was informed, only by reading my colonoscopy results that I have a tortuous colon. Nobody has ever said anything about this to me, including numerous Gastro doctors. I didn’t know it could have such an negative impact on my life. I’ve gone for years using laxatives, prescription medications like Linzess, enemas, colon cleansers, and the last prescription I got was for Enulose which made my symptoms 1000 times worse. I’ve since stopped everything and am doing a gut healing reset with really bland foods. It’s not perfect, but it’s better. I was supposed to see a PA tomorrow to discuss testing for bacteria like SIB, but they canceled it saying that I need to see an MD. I’ve already seen many doctors and a colonoscopy 6 years ago which was perfect. Such a big part of me is angry that nobody explained this to me. They just kept throwing meds at me. I read a comment from somebody else on here who said if one more doctor asked me if I eat enough fiber and drink enough water I was going to scream as well! This is an anatomical problem that nobody has explained to me until I started looking this up on ChatGPT.