Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?

Cuddlebug, Have you considered whether you have a rectocle prolapse? It sure sounds like one to me. Your sex tip sounds like the "splinting" that is often recommended for rectocle prolapse. Prolapse is completely separate from a redundant colon. Gastro doctors don't seem to think to check it. It is an easy check by doctors who focus on prolapse.

Try gluten free food or do not eat wheat and that could help bloating and wheat belly.

Yes, I just realized this week while making my own soup that for some strange reason Onion is helping me. I color them on the bottom of the pan for 10 minutes like if would start an Onion soup and it gives a beautiful color to the soup. So Onion is working... so far, I would have to see in my case how much it last.

Magnesium always helps me. It draws water into the colon but isn't classified as a fiber I don't believe. In any event, for other issues, I have to supplement with magnesium. I agree that one should stay away from anything related to fiber and I also agree that doctors recommend fiber which is most likely a bad idea for anyone who has what we all have. Oddly, onions make my system happy, which I'm sure isn't recommended. I do eat rice (low in fiber). I am pescatarian, so I eat a lot of vegetables (low in fiber, obviously). I appreciate your comments. I used to get bloated a lot before I knew what was wrong, but that doesn't happen much in the last few decades because I watch my diet.

I should also add something else. I think most of my issues happen in the sigmoid colon, which at least is near the end of the colon. Certainly my entire colon is sluggish, due to the tortious nature of it. But it seems the ultimate issue is always down lower, and intestinal contents will move if the partial blockage near the end is relieved. Anyway, my internist happened to suggest using Fleet enemas to help this. Get on hands and knees to retain it as long as possible, hopefully causing it to travel up into the colon further than normal (at least past the rectal area). At least for me, it has solved many near nightmares (and pretty quickly, I might add). I keep them on hand, and always travel with them.

And I have an odd suggestion as well, based on experience, that might help someone. If you are female, vaginal sex would relieve a backup often. This can be done alone with props. For some reason it stimulates the colon which is right next to it. Not sure what would happen with back door sex (whether this be females or males), but its a thought.

Thank you researchmaven! I was thinking about trying Slippery Elm, but was worried it coats the intestines so well that if I needed a laxative a day or two later (after the Elm not working), the laxative might not work either. One does worry a bit when you have intestinal blockages! I appreciate your comment.

I think you should consult again as I do not believe you should not be eating any cousins of the Fiber. Fiber can not be disolved in water (some of them) or easily digest by the body:

The fiber, a type of carb your body does not digest, is what makes these foods hard on someone with an inflamed colon. In addition to raw veggies and fruits, stay away from cooked kale, peas, winter squash, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, onions and corn.

The reason I say this is because every doctor (an absurd amount of them) and gastro (3 of them) will first recommend Fiber. I was so desperate with the pain and bloating that I was eating apples with the peals and celery. Finally I was officially diagnose with Gastroparesis and fiber is an antagonist of Gastroparesis. My gut feeling literally was that if I would eat fiber or Metamucil or Fiber One or Magnisum or any product with capsules or microcristalline I would get swollen. What surprises me is that a number of doctor would recommend Fiber and Magnesium when at least Fiber should not be recommended before an Emptying Stomach Study (that should be protocol). I am saying this as a System Analyst. That is my particular case.

Cuddle bug, I do a lot of what you do and thought I'd mention I start my day with Slippery Elm Inner Bark tea. It supports the mucosa.

Thank you for this. I have memories as a child having horrible abdominal cramps and no one knowing what to do to help. It has continued on and off my entire life. I did not know the cause until a colonoscopy about 5 years ago. Previous colonoscopies did not mention it. I have been ok, but can tell I am in need of a change. The bloating feeling is getting worse the older I get. I am 57 and 58 in September. These suggestions may be just the ticket.

I've had this problem for 71 years. Didn't know what it was until a few years ago. By then I'd worked out mostly what works although sometimes I have a bad week or so and its awful. Eating soft foods, intermittent fasting, and eating enough fiber and drinking enough water. Chia seeds will help (but not consistently). I'm trying a teaspoon of coconut oil (the solid, organic, virgin, unrefined kind ONLY) after eating in the morning and then in the evening. Too soon to comment as I just completely emptied my system after a problem, via Dulcolax. I don't like Mirilax, which my doctor suggested 30 minutes after the Dulcolax. But I do take powdered high absorption magnesium and that works just as well, but it tastes so much better (mine is peach flavored), and it may be helping my magnesium levels as a side benefit.

Olive oil could also be used (I haven't tried it) but after reading any negatives on these, I chose to try coconut oil. I don't have any heart disease and I have low blood pressure and low cholesterol. I've read where you can safely consume up to 2 tablespoons a day unless you have known heart disease issues, so I'm probably okay.

I have memories as far back as I can remember concerning this issue. When I was younger, I used to find riding a bicycle every day, and floor exercises (where you are using your abdominals in some manner) right after eating (the very thing they tell normal people not to do) really helped. I drifted away from those when I got really busy with work but I might try it again sometime.

Small portions, having every other day with no solid food, eating soft foods and exercise would be what I would tell someone with this problem, but I'm not a doctor, so I'm just sharing what has worked for me (most of the time). Oh, and drink lots of water!