Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?

On my 2nd Colonoscopy at age 55, I was diagnosed as having a Tortuous Colon and the procedure was somewhat difficult. At age 50, my first colonoscopy showed my colon completely normal. I don't know why the change, although I did have 3 surgeries in a short period of time. I have increased gas and have small (rabbit-like) BMs each time I void. I also have normal bowel movements. Anyone had anything like this happen to them?

Similar situation here -- had 1st colonoscopy at about 55 and just had second one at 70. Nothing deemed "wrong" either time except that now, at 70, I was told I have a redundant or tortuous colon. Who knew? I thought this was a congenital and rare condition, not something somehow acquired over the years. Interesting that you, too, seem to have 'acquired' the tortuous colon. What is going on?

My problem is that suddenly, months ago, I started having constipation, like I had as a youngster, so I had the 2nd colonoscopy to see if there was a problem. But, like you, I can have 'normal' BMs too. Trouble is, I get "backed up" and then have the opposite problem: huge loose BMs accompanied by loads of lower region cramping/pain. Not fun.

I don't remember this happening since those episodes of more than 35 years ago. I'm seeing the GI doc this week but I'm sure he will say it's IBS and throw Miralax packets at me. I also have GERD so feel like I've got double-trouble.

Oh, and my gall bladder was removed in '04 due to horrible pain attacks and 'sludge,' not stones, but I never got the post-cholecystectomy 'dumping' (frequent diarrhea) syndrome that so many experience after that surgery. I have heard that many years later problems crop up for some people for the first time. Perhaps I'm one of those people and will now be plagued with this into old age.

Hope you are feeling better and have gotten some answers to your own questions.

Similar situation here -- had 1st colonoscopy at about 55 and just had second one at 70. Nothing deemed "wrong" either time except that now, at 70, I was told I have a redundant or tortuous colon. Who knew? I thought this was a congenital and rare condition, not something somehow acquired over the years. Interesting that you, too, seem to have 'acquired' the tortuous colon. What is going on?

My problem is that suddenly, months ago, I started having constipation, like I had as a youngster, so I had the 2nd colonoscopy to see if there was a problem. But, like you, I can have 'normal' BMs too. Trouble is, I get "backed up" and then have the opposite problem: huge loose BMs accompanied by loads of lower region cramping/pain. Not fun.

I don't remember this happening since those episodes of more than 35 years ago. I'm seeing the GI doc this week but I'm sure he will say it's IBS and throw Miralax packets at me. I also have GERD so feel like I've got double-trouble.

Oh, and my gall bladder was removed in '04 due to horrible pain attacks and 'sludge,' not stones, but I never got the post-cholecystectomy 'dumping' (frequent diarrhea) syndrome that so many experience after that surgery. I have heard that many years later problems crop up for some people for the first time. Perhaps I'm one of those people and will now be plagued with this into old age.

Hope you are feeling better and have gotten some answers to your own questions.

So happy to find this group! I've been suffering pain, cramping, bloat, gas, constipation and diarrhea. In the past month I've had an abdominal CT and a colonoscopy (my 3rd due to family history of colon cancer) which were clear. The GI doctor told me I have a tortuous and redundant colon but has never linked my pain and issues to this condition. My brother (a physician) suggested the fodmap diet. I've also linked my recent issues to my lack of exercise. I previously worked out 4 times per week, but honestly, I haven't felt like it recently. I look forward to checking in with you as I start this journey.

Even though you feel like a burden to your mom, as I feel I am with my family and friends (especially my husband) too, they keep reminding me that they help and take care of me because that is what families and friends do. I feel tremendous guilt at times as well, but I try to remind myself that if it were the other way around I would do whatever it takes to be there for my family as well. Feeling guilt is a useless emotion. None of us are intentionally being sick or seeking attention.

People also tend to give advice or say stupid things like it's stress because they want to help and they don't know what else to say. I know they think these comments will make us feel better, when in fact it has the opposite effect. I have become very out spoken lately and started telling people that when Im not feeling well, and I tell you about my issues of the day, I'm just venting. I add that i'm not looking for an answer or advice. If I'm not asking for help I really don't want it. I just want you to listen and not say anything because there's nothing to say. A simple i'm sorry you're going through this is all that needs to be said. I have found this to be a tremendous help, especially with my mother. I have to remind her often that I just want her to listen and not give advice, but being straight forward has helped a lot. I don't know your relationship, but it's worth a shot for you to speak up that it bothers you when she's says things like it's stress.

It’s hard when it’s your “people” that doubt you and when the drs justify those doubts it isolates us and makes us feel even more alone and depressed. My mom is my best friend but if I’ve heard it once I’ve it a million times over the past 16 years “I think it’s nerves” or “stress” or “your meds” or “you just don’t eat right” and this last colonoscopy kinda sealed that thought for her when the dr said I need to work on my “emotions & stress plus have a med review”. Then I sent her info and research and a drawing of what our colons look like - Now she understands why I have pain all the time but I can still hear the disappointment in her voice when I can’t make it to work because of the diarrhea or the debilitating pain. I don’t want to be a burden but I know that I am.

I completely understand where you’re coming from. People sometimes thinking you’re exaggerating or looking at you like you’re crazy. My sister, even though she’s seen me at my worst on several occasions still constantly says things like, “well you say you can’t eat this because it gets you sick”, or “it makes no sense. You can eat this but not that”. And some of the doctors are worse.

Fiber and more fiber, decrease my stress, get my depression under control (hard to do when you have bowel and bladder inconsistence) and have a med review done - then try to have another colonoscopy (after a multiple day prep) completed. Fiber makes me feel like I’m dying and always has - as a baby my pediatrician told my mom to mix prune and orange juice to get my bowels to move because I was always constipated. If I don’t take stool softeners or use laxatives daily during a constipation flare I can go a month without a BM but I can also have flares where I have diarrhea for months. The last 16 years have a nightmare and I know that I’m a burden now because I’m not able to work some days and knowing things will only get worse from this point is crushing. I’ve had to become my own advocate because the Drs has my family convinced it was all in my head until a few weeks ago when they couldn’t complete the colonoscopy. But that doesn’t help me - they are still playing the “wait and see” and “eat more fiber” games.