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Anyone else have a Redundant/Tortuous Colon?
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
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That makes good sense, @shawnkthryn. Less is more. If it is something like gastroparesis and it is acceptabley controlled by diet, that would be enough success for me. If I were in my eighties with weak muscle mass, I wouldn't want anything more invasive. I try to avoid as much medical intervention as possible. In my view, such only helps-- there is rarely a silver bullet. It seems like you are doing your homework by Googling.
@researchmaven hi, my concern w stomach angiogram is many risks w this. GES; non-invasive, let's do that again in a couple months 1st. At 80#'s I'm weak & there's no muscle mass. I'm drinking meat in protein cartons. Electrolyte pkts or gatorade all day. Eating squash, sweet potatoes, carrots & 1 sm pc fish (2 meals) or egg white sandwich (2 meals). That's my weeks intake. When I toss food, that's discouraging. Concern now is kidneys ?
@shawnkthryn, tests are useful, but not the final word if inconclusive. Not everything is testable. The final word is what it takes to feel better.
@dedhambeth, I also rely on stomach massage and stretching on the floor with my legs and torso. The various compressions of my gut help my food move along.
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2 ReactionsI also have a redundant , twisty colon. My colonoscopy was very painful. I take Biogest also known as Thorne a digestive enzyme helps with digestion and take Meta Mucil capsules seems to help. I also get filled up very fast and have a sluggish digestion. I drink lots of water and coffee seems to help. I also feel nauseous alot due to this.
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2 Reactions@researchmaven dr isn't concerned re throwing up orange. Cannot reorder GES test for 2 months to redo. Doc wants a CT angiogram. That was the negotiation, I do this to please him & he'll do another GES to please me. Sounds like a marriage. Fair trade
Thank you so much!!
@dedhambeth - Slippery elm inner bark works best for me with every meal. It can be in homemade food (bread, hot cereal, cocoa, etc.), added to suitable commercial food (instant oatmeal) or dissolved in hot water. I started taking it with my morning meal, then thought about it, and tried using it with every meal (4- or smaller meals a day).
It definitely works better with every meal. I have an incredibly sensitive gut, so 1/8 teaspoon with a meal. When I was taking it once a day in the morning, I took 1/2 teaspoon. If I can't add it to my food, I put in in a hot liquid.
For me, it seems to work by softening and providing slip best for the meal I take it with. So it does make a world of difference for me when I take it with each meal.
(I think there are slipperly elm bark "chunks" (outer and inner bark) that could be steeped normally like any tea. If so, that may be best for a meal in the work environment.)
Since school teachers are on holiday now or soon, it is a good time to experiment to find a dose that works.
Whether it creates an urgent need to toilet, that may depend on the dose. I find that with my optional dose of 1/8 with a meal.
I am currently checking to see if 1/8 a teaspoon with a meal, when it is a six-meal day, is still the right dose. Maybe taking it four or five times a day is my limit, with a sixth 1/8 teaspoon dose too much.
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3 ReactionsFor those of you that take slippery elm…do you take it at night? In the morning? Did it affect you quickly? I want to start taking it but am nervous about how quickly it will work and so when to take it. I’m a teacher so do not always have the opportunity to run to the bathroom. Thank you.
@longcolin and sylhet1978,
@longcolin
Good luck with more natural things , hopefully you can get just the right combo and back ups for when regularity is not perfect. It is so worth it.
sylhet1978
So sorry to hear that the colonoscopy was so painful. For me, I measured my pain against a near fatal auto accident in 1972 and natural birth of our daughter in 1986. Plus I like to go natural as much as possible. Hope you can find relief with natural things shared on these posting?
Sometimes lifestyles and eating certain foods play a big part for us with redundant colons in our regularity. These need to be altered but there seems to be no magic key. Best of luck, it is so worth having daily Regularity!