Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?

Does anyone have tortuous colon and bouts of diverticulitis? Found out about the tortuous colon in Jan when the GI Dr couldn’t get the scope all the way. I’ve had two bouts since late Oct and then got c-dif from the antibiotics in early March. I’ve lost about 30lbs since Oct. I worry about getting diverticulitis again. Some days I’m spending all day in the bathroom, but not diarrhea, just going a lot with firmed stool, other days nothing. Having internal hemorrhoids doesn’t help things out either, and neither does my chronic anxiety. I don’t know what to eat anymore. I don’t know if I should be eating cooked cauliflower or broccoli, or just stick with bland vegetables like green beans. Those of you who take miralax, do you take the full capful or maybe just a teaspoon? I know I have driven my GI Dr and his office staff nuts already. But it seems that every day a new problem pops up and my anxiety has me going over the deep end. Thankfully I see a psychiatrist off and on and he has prescribed Ativan to take as needed such as when my mind really starts to race.

Does anyone have tortuous colon and bouts of diverticulitis? Found out about the tortuous colon in Jan when the GI Dr couldn’t get the scope all the way. I’ve had two bouts since late Oct and then got c-dif from the antibiotics in early March. I’ve lost about 30lbs since Oct. I worry about getting diverticulitis again. Some days I’m spending all day in the bathroom, but not diarrhea, just going a lot with firmed stool, other days nothing. Having internal hemorrhoids doesn’t help things out either, and neither does my chronic anxiety. I don’t know what to eat anymore. I don’t know if I should be eating cooked cauliflower or broccoli, or just stick with bland vegetables like green beans. Those of you who take miralax, do you take the full capful or maybe just a teaspoon? I know I have driven my GI Dr and his office staff nuts already. But it seems that every day a new problem pops up and my anxiety has me going over the deep end. Thankfully I see a psychiatrist off and on and he has prescribed Ativan to take as needed such as when my mind really starts to race.

Once back in September I paired daily miralax with daily fiber for 2-3 weeks and was able to shift to fiber only and it was gloriously successful for almost two weeks. Then the fiber starts to pile up inside and lose all its moisture by the time it gets to the "business end." Thanks for the suggestion.

@ashweb901 would daily Metamucil or generic psyllium fibre work for your constipation problem? I take psyllium fibre from a natural foods store every day and have eliminated my constipation problem (pun unintended),

That is EXACTLY right. "Ta-daaah." Then they're done. Getting them to move to the next level of digging for the underlying issue is a huge feat. My anorectal manometry and sitzmarker tests plus the 3 PT sessions to train my anal sphincter cost me $1500-$2k and I'm still severely constipated.

LONG FIBER VEGES IS THE KEY!

I haven't seen this suggestion in this thread. I've had problems with constipation since I was a kid, but heard the phrase "tortuous colon" for the first time when I turned 50 yrs. old and had my first colonoscopy. What works for me is vegetables with long fibers - especially celery (raw) and asparagus (lightly cooked). The asparagus is the best. I've made it a mainstay of my diet. I cook it different ways to keep it interesting, although lightly roasting it in a 375 degree oven for about 10-13 minutes (depending on thickness of the vegetable) works best for me. I season it with garlic and herbs. I also think kale has long fibers, but I haven't found a decent way to prepare that vege. Asparagus is a great vege and it provides lots of health benefits beyond the fiber - so it's a great addition to any diet. Also, like many have said here - lots of water all day long.

In my opinion, eating celery (great with lunch - add some carrots!) and asparagus is a natural way to help your colon move things along without completely changing your diet. I love food as much as the next person, but don't want to have a special diet that interferes with my life. I stay active (walking, hiking, strength training), drink a good amount of water and use "outside help" (i.e., laxatives) only when absolutely needed.

I have noticed...not so recently, most Dr.s, after they’ve done they’re “procedure”, given your findings, they are out of the picture. There is NO CONTINUITY in care anymore. I have done more research than I care to think about. Too many problems, too many solutions, too many topics! I thought that’s what Drs were for.

@sickofbeinsick1 Where did you go to get that kind of medical treatment? Certainly was not Mayo MN...Mayo and I keep in touch via the prescription renewals and when they require that I check-in the pharmacist tells me.. and during the Pandemic I have had 2 telephone sessions with my GI doctor there in Rochester. Now that I have had my 2 shots we plan an onsite visit in May ...(I live a 3 hour drive away from Mayo MN.). When I do other than GI visits at Mayo my GI doc always mentions those visits or problems during our sessions.. Mayo has a different pay arrangements with doctors than most places.. so given that they Mayo doctors act differently ...and as a team.

I have noticed...not so recently, most Dr.s, after they’ve done they’re “procedure”, given your findings, they are out of the picture. There is NO CONTINUITY in care anymore. I have done more research than I care to think about. Too many problems, too many solutions, too many topics! I thought that’s what Drs were for.