Anyone else have a Redundant/Tortuous Colon?

I was just diagnosed after a painful colonoscopy. Unfortunately, the doctor didn’t stop to talk aboutit so I am doing my own research. For the last several years, since my last coloscopy, I have had episodes where I cannot relieve myself then it feels like I am going to pass out, followed by a drop in blood pressure with cold sweats. These episodes take up to 30 minutes to finish and I have to lie down afterward. I am wondering if they are related. I certainly appreciate everyone’s experience and input.

I have had irritable bowel-C for over 40 years. In the last three years and a half years the constipation has become severe. Up until then, I rarely used laxatives (could count on one hand, the # of times) One gastroenterologist recommended the fodmap diet, (so restrictive and I am already restricted as a celiac) metamucil and miralax twice a day. That seemed to alleviate the constipation but all that miralax and metamucil aggravated my irritable bowel. That same gastroenterologist said in his report "her bowel will just have to get used to it": it didn't) In the last three years, I have also gone from being on no medications to three: metoprolol, prolia and repatha (evoculomab injection). One or more of these drugs has made the constipation worse.
Recently, I stopped using Miralax. It no longer seems as effective and was giving me daily lower abdominal cramping to the point where some days it was uncomfortable to walk. So much gas and terrible bloating. (Interesting how all of its advertising says no bloating, no cramping) Then, I tried milk of magnesia and it works but the cramping for me was beyond tolerable. So, a few nights ago, I tried two senokot and that worked without cramping but I'm sure if I use it daily it will be the same issue. Lizness gave me abdominal pain and bloating.
Over the years, I have taken probiotics but didnt see a difference.
My last colonscopy was 9 years ago (CT colonography and sigmoidoscopy about 3 years ago--one nonserious polyp)and it showed a "long and twisty colon".
I am waiting for my gastroenterologist appt next month. Actually beginning to wonder if there is a solution. Prucalopride called Resotran was suggested, (believe that helps with motility). However, I have an arrythmia that is now well-controlled and Health Canada has a warning saying proceed with caution re resotran if you have those problems and the drug safety clinic could not assure me it would be safe. I really do believe it is the medications that have made the IBS-C worse. That's the thing with modern medicine. The drugs fix one problem and often create some new condition (from side effects) that then needs to be treated.

I was just diagnosed after a painful colonoscopy. Unfortunately, the doctor didn’t stop to talk aboutit so I am doing my own research. For the last several years, since my last coloscopy, I have had episodes where I cannot relieve myself then it feels like I am going to pass out, followed by a drop in blood pressure with cold sweats. These episodes take up to 30 minutes to finish and I have to lie down afterward. I am wondering if they are related. I certainly appreciate everyone’s experience and input.

Thanks for the nifty image of your colon! I have had esophagrams which seem to show a tortuous esophagus. Many in my family as well as myself, have tortuous blood vessels. My femoral arteries, the usual route for cardiac catherization tools to get to the heart, are described as tortuous. Being old at 79, I have more fecal incontinence as well as urinary frequency. Pelvic Floor Therapy with wise counselling by a specialty therapist was very helpful. I now use three Kirkland fiber capsules at night, at least one Medjool date (what a treat) a day, and hope to increase my fresh vegetables and fruits as we welcome Pacific Northwest Springtime garden foods. The National Institutes of Health has a rare condition website with more information about Tortuosity syndromes. Each condition webpage has a reference to an information specialist who can provide more recent information: https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/774/arterial-tortuosity-syndrome

What a great response. I'm going to try all your suggestions!

Hi Judy, I too have just recently been diagnosed with Redundant, Fixed, Ridged colon. I requested a consult with a nutritionist and that has given me even more questions! I've been searching the web for different solutions to constipation and found a lot of different approaches. I don't have diverticulitis so your probably much different from me. I have horrible constipation and never get "the runs". I recently got a book called "what the heck should I eat" and am reading it now. It's not directly addressing my issues but it is VERY informative. I recommend it. I too had lost a lot of weight, was down to 98 lbs. (5'2") :o( But of course, my gut was bloated and "angry" so I looked about 3 months pregnant. YUK. The bloating, not being able to get rid of gas, and not pooping were driving me crazy. I just want to feel normal. It certainly makes it hard to do anything in a social setting and 'romance' has been out of the question. I'd love my life back! I feel best when I don't eat. You too? Ok, so things I'm doing to try to help myself. First, water. LOTS of water. I fill a jug with the ounces marked on it every morning and that makes it easy to track how much I've had for the day. My goal is 60 oz. (more than 1/2 my weight in oz.) I started a food journal, keeping track of everything I eat and drink. I make side notes if I feel gassy or bloaty after I eat that food. I write if I had a BM that day or not and the consistency. I am trying 2 stool softeners and 1 500mg Magnesium every night and eating a low fiber diet. I need to get back to walking everyday, which I've skipped because I felt so bad. But even if you feel bad the walk makes you feel better. It's winter here and icy and cold! So I just purchased a treadmill. Hoping that makes a difference as well. Don't ever feel like your Dr.'s office is getting tired of you. You are your own advocate! You need to keep asking and get referrals if they can't help. I'm finding that most Dr.'s don't deal with this well. Let me know if you want to chat or have questions. We're all in this together. Hope this was helpful. Sometimes its just nice to know your not alone. :o) Sherrie (Pete is my nick name)