Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?

Oops, I meant to post this reply to the explanation of the torturous vs redundant colon above. I don’t know how to move it, please forgive me for any confusion this caused.

Hello,

Most of what you said is right but I have one little correction to clarify things (based on what my GI doctor told me).

I have a torturous colon and was told that it means that my colon has many more bends/turns in it than a “normal” colon. A redundant colon has many more loops. Both of these are the result of the body packing a longer tube than normal into the space a “normal” colon would fit.

Twisting of the colon in either condition is a medical emergency, whereas I can live with a torturous colon everyday (although I wish I didn’t have to because mine is symptomatic).

Also in reply to the op, I have not had surgery yet, although I eagerly would if my finances were better. I have tried so many things to relieve pain, discomfort, and distention; including starting from an extremely simple diet recommended by my GI and slowly adding different foods to find my triggers. We’ve added fiber, removed fiber. Greatly increased my water intake, when it started off better than normal. Plus a laundry list of medicines. The only progress we’ve made is to give me horrible diarrhea when the pressure in my abdomen becomes too great (I’ve suffered from chronic constipation my whole life). My GI worries I may have a rupture too but until my circumstance change, we do what we can. I don’t know if that helps but if I were you, I would get a second opinion from another surgeon (although if you’ve never had abdominal surgery, just be aware that hernias may become another problem you may have to deal with after).

Well wish & good luck.

Hello all I am new to this group I too was just told that I have tontuous colon a long with 1.) chronic ldiopathic constipation 2.) dysfunction constipation outlet 3.)rectocele 4.) diverticulosis 5.) some more polyps and 6.) adhesions from many abdominal surgeries.. Most days the pain is unbearable but I work through it, but I feel that I am short with family, friends, and people in general and that isn't who I am I am at a loss
I have no idea what would be the best way too deal with all this. I have tried all the meds out there different diets and now I just don't know what the best treatment would be. Help, ideas, any advise would be welcome. Thanks LaNette

Oops, I meant to post this reply to the explanation of the torturous vs redundant colon above. I don’t know how to move it, please forgive me for any confusion this caused.

Hello,

Most of what you said is right but I have one little correction to clarify things (based on what my GI doctor told me).

I have a torturous colon and was told that it means that my colon has many more bends/turns in it than a “normal” colon. A redundant colon has many more loops. Both of these are the result of the body packing a longer tube than normal into the space a “normal” colon would fit.

Twisting of the colon in either condition is a medical emergency, whereas I can live with a torturous colon everyday (although I wish I didn’t have to because mine is symptomatic).

Also in reply to the op, I have not had surgery yet, although I eagerly would if my finances were better. I have tried so many things to relieve pain, discomfort, and distention; including starting from an extremely simple diet recommended by my GI and slowly adding different foods to find my triggers. We’ve added fiber, removed fiber. Greatly increased my water intake, when it started off better than normal. Plus a laundry list of medicines. The only progress we’ve made is to give me horrible diarrhea when the pressure in my abdomen becomes too great (I’ve suffered from chronic constipation my whole life). My GI worries I may have a rupture too but until my circumstance change, we do what we can. I don’t know if that helps but if I were you, I would get a second opinion from another surgeon (although if you’ve never had abdominal surgery, just be aware that hernias may become another problem you may have to deal with after).

Well wish & good luck.

No it is not. Redundant and tortured colon means you have extra colon (redundant) and twisted (tortured). I do have some diverticulosis, but I haven’t had diverticulitis.

Welcome to Connect, @jennb, and thanks for sharing your insight about flaxseed. The therapeutic and beneficial properties of flaxseed are well known, and there is growing research to support its use. You might be interested in reading this journal article about "Dietary Flaxseed as a Strategy for Improving Human Health” https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/5/1171/htm

May I ask if you would share more details about the polyps you mentioned? Did you have a biopsy to determine their status?

Hi-I was recently diagnosed with torturous colon as well. It makes sense since Menopause I’ve experienced worse IBS symptoms. My doctor told me to add ground flaxseed to my diet and I can say this works really well! I sprinkle it ontop of food -you really don’t taste it- and it keeps me regular and stools are easy to pass. I had two polyps so I’m waiting for my results but not worried. Anyway ground flaxseed is definitely the trick for me -very high in fiber.

I have had IBS-C issues for as long as I can remember, but about 7 years ago they became chronic to the point where I can go a week (or more) without any bowel movement if I'm not taking laxatives. I have had dozens of tests, and the only useful information I have received so far was from a visit to the Mayo clinic in Rochester a little over a year ago, where they discovered I have a "highly tortuous colon" and could barely complete a colonoscopy. The recommendations at that time included increasing my fiber, which doesn't help at all. Other tests have also revealed that I have a partially prolapsed lower colon, but not to the point where surgery would be a good idea. Taking fiber supplements makes me extremely bloated and becomes unbelievably painful, and Miralax makes me sick to my stomach and doesn't do too much to move things along. I've tried different things with my diet, and right now, I mostly eat white rice (brown is too hard to digest), vegetables, and small amounts of protein. I feel like i'm going a little crazy trying different things like eliminating dairy or other food restrictions, but I don't know what else to do. I completely avoid gluten. I've been very active my whole life...have run marathons and done lots of strength training and different types of endurance races, but recently I don't have the energy for the types of training that these events require. @karena65 Do you have a resource that you can share on the whole plant diet? Is there any other advice anyone can share?