Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?

Posted by onaquest @onaquest, Nov 7, 2018

Hello. Anyone else out there that has a redundant/ tortured colon? I was diagnosed with this a few years ago. I’m usually ok, but if I get constipated, I get sick for a week or two. Last year my gastroenterologist referred me to a surgeon for urgent surgery to remove some of my colon. The surgeon I ended up seeing (not on the recommended list by my gastro doc due to others not available for a long time) said he believed I could live with the redundant colon if I followed a low FODMAP diet. I tried the diet religiously, scientifically (I’m a scientist), and I found it’s not the food I eat that causes these bouts of constipation. The only item I’ve found that might cause the bouts is coffee every day. An occasional coffee seems fine. What has helped me stay regular in a big way is Benefiber (or any pure wheat dextrose generic) three times per day. Lots of fluid.

My gastro doc was upset with the surgeon and said I’d regret not having the surgery. He fears I will end up in an emergency situation. I have searched the Mayo site and don’t find anything about redundant/ tortured colon. Are any Mayo docs doing research or treat this condition? Anyone else suffer from this too?
Thank you! -Jayne

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

Profile picture for Amanda Burnett @amandaa

Hi @jamierr, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I see you are having many bowel problems at the moment. This is a great discussion to be a part of since there are so many members contributing.
Have you touched based with your physician who prescribed Picoprep? Did you inform them that it wasn't working?

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Hi there, yes I have been in contact with my doctor that prescribed me the Picoprep, I'm still waiting on a reply. Even though I'm not a doctor, I can tell that the Picoprep is not going to work regardless of what it's designed to do. Have you ever come across someone who has dealt with this issue for 4-5 years and still no change?

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Profile picture for sue225 @sue225

There is a medication designed specifically to target motility problems/chronic constipation. Prucalopride which goes under the name, "Motegrity" in the U.S. and "Resotran" in Canada. My gastroenterologist prescribed a two week supply to try. I have not filled the script. Ask your doctor what he thinks about you giving this drug a try.

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Thank you, I will be sure to contact him and see what he says. Although the few things I have tried are designed to target Constipation and it hasn't helped.

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Hi @jamierr, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I see you are having many bowel problems at the moment. This is a great discussion to be a part of since there are so many members contributing.
Have you touched based with your physician who prescribed Picoprep? Did you inform them that it wasn't working?

REPLY
Profile picture for jamierr @jamierr

I was recently diagnosed with a Tortuous colon when I went in for a colonoscopy to check for any issues as I have been having many bowel problems for many years now. To be specific, I have a mobility disorder which supposedly us why I don't have regular bowel movements, I have an inability to completely empty my bowel which then results in faecal incontinence (leaking of stool). My Colorectal Surgeon has asked me to take Picoprep which is a bowel preparation, every Friday twice in the morning for three months, which hasn't made a difference at all so far and it's been over a month. I've tried drinking more water, taking stool softeners and osmotive laxatives, drinking Metamucil, exercising, and absolutely no difference whatsoever.
Has anyone out there had the same problems I have, and what did you do to resolve them? Because nothing I've done has worked.

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There is a medication designed specifically to target motility problems/chronic constipation. Prucalopride which goes under the name, "Motegrity" in the U.S. and "Resotran" in Canada. My gastroenterologist prescribed a two week supply to try. I have not filled the script. Ask your doctor what he thinks about you giving this drug a try.

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I was recently diagnosed with a Tortuous colon when I went in for a colonoscopy to check for any issues as I have been having many bowel problems for many years now. To be specific, I have a mobility disorder which supposedly us why I don't have regular bowel movements, I have an inability to completely empty my bowel which then results in faecal incontinence (leaking of stool). My Colorectal Surgeon has asked me to take Picoprep which is a bowel preparation, every Friday twice in the morning for three months, which hasn't made a difference at all so far and it's been over a month. I've tried drinking more water, taking stool softeners and osmotive laxatives, drinking Metamucil, exercising, and absolutely no difference whatsoever.
Has anyone out there had the same problems I have, and what did you do to resolve them? Because nothing I've done has worked.

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Profile picture for sher71 @sher71

Hi Amanda, Thank you so much for those articles! I know you were responding to "scottisfull" but it's great that you addressed my issues as well. I am going to ask my GI if she has read the new recommendations for IBS-C. I am working with a nutritionist as well and will ask her too. So far she has not recommended the FOPMAP diet for me as I am already on a Gluten/Dairy free diet and have lost so much weight. But I'm thinking now it may be worth the try. Anyway, thank you again for the great information!
Scottisfull - Hang in there! It takes a LOT of reading and investigating and dietary changes as well as the right medications to feel better. Will any of us be "normal" again? I don't think so, I think this is life changing. BUT, we can still live a good life! I for one an working on it. :o) Hope you have a good day

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Hi Sher71
Thanks for your kind words of encouragement! I'm new here, but definitely not a rookie when it comes to gastro issues. The warm welcome and support is very much appreciated!

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Profile picture for Amanda Burnett @amandaa

Hi @scottisfull, And welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I see that you are trying to determine if the tortuous colon is related to or complicating your IBS-C. I found a few articles that you may be interested in that suggest that many of the symptoms of a tortuous colon are similar to those of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). By definition, IBS is diagnosed when there is no structural abnormality (or visible inflammation or injury) and thus IBS and tortuous colon are considered two separate health conditions.
Tortuous colon and IBS - https://www.verywellhealth.com/tortuous-colon-and-ibs-4115904

This journal published an article that sounds very similar to what you are experiencing with both TC and IBS-C.
Hiding in Plain Sight: An Unusual Cause of Constipation - https://journals.lww.com/ajg/Fulltext/2017/10001/Hiding_in_Plain_Sight__An_Unusual_Cause_of.1418.aspx

Did your second GI physician suggest any medication, remedy or surgery for your issues?

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Hi Amanda, Thank you so much for those articles! I know you were responding to "scottisfull" but it's great that you addressed my issues as well. I am going to ask my GI if she has read the new recommendations for IBS-C. I am working with a nutritionist as well and will ask her too. So far she has not recommended the FOPMAP diet for me as I am already on a Gluten/Dairy free diet and have lost so much weight. But I'm thinking now it may be worth the try. Anyway, thank you again for the great information!
Scottisfull - Hang in there! It takes a LOT of reading and investigating and dietary changes as well as the right medications to feel better. Will any of us be "normal" again? I don't think so, I think this is life changing. BUT, we can still live a good life! I for one an working on it. :o) Hope you have a good day

REPLY
Profile picture for Amanda Burnett @amandaa

Hi @scottisfull, And welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I see that you are trying to determine if the tortuous colon is related to or complicating your IBS-C. I found a few articles that you may be interested in that suggest that many of the symptoms of a tortuous colon are similar to those of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). By definition, IBS is diagnosed when there is no structural abnormality (or visible inflammation or injury) and thus IBS and tortuous colon are considered two separate health conditions.
Tortuous colon and IBS - https://www.verywellhealth.com/tortuous-colon-and-ibs-4115904

This journal published an article that sounds very similar to what you are experiencing with both TC and IBS-C.
Hiding in Plain Sight: An Unusual Cause of Constipation - https://journals.lww.com/ajg/Fulltext/2017/10001/Hiding_in_Plain_Sight__An_Unusual_Cause_of.1418.aspx

Did your second GI physician suggest any medication, remedy or surgery for your issues?

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First off, allow me to say THANK YOU!!! I'm talking to an expert who is trying to answer my questions at 7am when 75% of the country is taking the day off due to inclement weather. I'M BLOW AWAY. YOU ROCK!!!
Ok....here's where things get a bit complicated. In March of 2019, due to extreme stress, I suddenly was unable to keep any food down at all. I lost 60lbs in three months, and I did not have 60lbs to lose. And my crack team that I had diagnosed me with an eating disorder, which was entirely inaccurate. (I believe it was CVSA) Sent for re-feeding which worked fine for the weight restoration. I've had a few minor bouts with it since (CVSA), but I digress. IBS raged through that entire process.
So....eating has become a definite challenge for me because of how awful I feel after each time I eat. Chronic bloating, distension, gas, discomfort, nausea, (FODMAP had no effect). My BMI is healthy but on the low side (19.1) The moral of the story is.....now, whenever I see a new doc, they see the "eating disorder" in my records, and latch on to that like a pit bull. That's what this GI did, right after she told me that tortuous colon had no effect on my bowel habits. Wanted me to enroll in biofeedback, which I'm not completely adverse to. But the emphasis was on eating disorder. And this was an out-of-state GI that I found on the interweb with impeccable credentials....tops in the midwest. She would not consider any new medication. So discouraging and so frustrating. I just want a tiny semblance of my life back. So now, I'm kind of at a loss........

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Hi @scottisfull, And welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I see that you are trying to determine if the tortuous colon is related to or complicating your IBS-C. I found a few articles that you may be interested in that suggest that many of the symptoms of a tortuous colon are similar to those of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). By definition, IBS is diagnosed when there is no structural abnormality (or visible inflammation or injury) and thus IBS and tortuous colon are considered two separate health conditions.
Tortuous colon and IBS - https://www.verywellhealth.com/tortuous-colon-and-ibs-4115904

This journal published an article that sounds very similar to what you are experiencing with both TC and IBS-C.
Hiding in Plain Sight: An Unusual Cause of Constipation - https://journals.lww.com/ajg/Fulltext/2017/10001/Hiding_in_Plain_Sight__An_Unusual_Cause_of.1418.aspx

Did your second GI physician suggest any medication, remedy or surgery for your issues?

REPLY
Profile picture for Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator @kanaazpereira

Hi @onaquest @flguy @carcar,

A redundant colon is an abnormally long colon, especially in the final section (called descending colon). A redundant colon also has additional loops or twists. Other names for a redundant colon include tortuous colon or elongated colon. https://www.healthline.com/health/redundant-colon
I’m tagging @darlia and @rsinger22 who've written about redundant colon, and they may be able to share their experiences.

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I have battled IBS-C for two decades. Recently, a colonoscopy showed I had a tortuous colon. I relayed this info to a separate GI I'm seeing, (insurance issues).....and the GI told me there is no evidence to support that a tortuous colon can cause/complicate IBS. Is that true? The enormous daily discomfort I feel happens to be in my descending colon....which is exactly where the colonoscopy showed the tortuous colon. It's hard to me to fathom that as a coincidence.

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