Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?

Try changing your diet, dfloyd1133, surgery is crazy for a bit of mucus! It could be an IBS-type symptom from a particular food item.

I have a tortuous colon. I don't think it's that uncommon. I recently had a sigmoid colonoscopy and afterwards the g.i. told a few of his patients have same problem. After emailing multiple times about how I was evacuating fecus he said if I was interested he would give me a name of a surgeon who performs sigmoid colon resection. After reading some articles I was afraid and canceled the appt w surgeon. I am elderly woman.

Yes I was diagnosed with BAM. My prescription has been changed. I am now taking Colesevelam for
bile acid malabsorption.

Were you told you have bile acid malabsorption (BAM)? I ask because that is the main reason to take this medication.

I got my results and I have both gastritis and collagenous colitis. I have been prescribed Budesonide and my doctor expects great improvement before I follow up Tuesday. I have already limited my diet immensely, to mainly chicken and rice, softer foods. But I have always been a picky eater but this is taking it to a whole new level.

I don't have any special solutions for cleaning out if the meds are not working (but mild food poisoning helps -- I wish I was kidding, but I am not).

I just want to say that for my severely redundant colon, I got relief from a dietary change: hot cereal (not thick) for breakfast, smoothies for lunch (not thick) and a vegetarian dinner (no meat or fish that backs me up). Small quantities of dense food (like heavy wholemeal bread). A focus on root veggies instead of baked goods. I also drink liquids (usually hot) throughout the day. (For me, even having a liquid drink with dense food like bread isn't good enough.)

I also make sure I add a bit of slippery elm powder (inner bark) to that breakfast and lunch, and also work it into dinner, usually as a tea. Dessert is more hot cereal. Also a magnesium supplement - my gut is toast, so I use a gentle one - Hilma's Gentle Bowel Movement Support.

For adding an urge to "go," which I think helps a redundant colon, I use fresh kiwi and stewed rhubard. Perhaps the leafy greens (frozen spinach to my smoothie and fresh greens like collards or kale with my dinner) help too.

This is good stuff, I will start with your suggestions! We all know how terrible this feels, and any relief is good.

I have not, but given your success why not. Thank you for the detailed response here!

Try to follow the FODMAP plan!

Hi Jayne,
This is a long one too.
Disclaimer: This is only my experience going natural. I have used organic, integrative, functional, holistic Naturopathic doctor's advice along with my MD’s since the early 1980's. There is science in alternatives too. Because I work closely with my ND, he told me to study the Migrating Motor Complex and Osmotic Gradient and he bet that I would find what worked for me. It's how to keep a longer than normal pipe with consistent moisture…. My ND also said because my condition was physical, attention would be needed from now on.
I tried laxatives and they are not consistent and have side effects like bloating, etc. All say for occasional use. They disrupt the system if taken continuously. I liked a response from a co-redundant colon person: “It’s physical” so regular constipation suggestions may not work. Don’t give up because it took me 4 months to feel I could depend on being regular. It is worth going natural.
Last Dec the doc had me do non sedated colonoscopy. He went through my colon as I watched on TV. I had had a baby years ago (natural and could stand pain) so figured I could stand it – it was no big deal. Most people in world don't get put out. Very interesting and it helped allow the scope to get through because I relaxed. No wonder I had been constipation on and off starting in my teens. I’m now in my early 70’s.
OptiMag and K2+ Potassium are great supps. I take them when I go to bed and once when I get up to pee. I include prunes/prune juice, winter squash, sweet potatoes, rhubarb etc in my diet. I eat cups of steamed vegetables each day. I like to grind 2T chia, 1 T sesame seeds and 2 T flax seeds, then soak in prune juice overnight. I add a T of carob now since it can help regularity. Take half in the morning and half at night. Throw sugar out along with processed and refined foods. Look up foods and drinks that constipate and give them up. At least leave them out for a while. Drink lots of water starting with a quart of hot water in the morning - boy scouts. I use warmed up diluted chicken broth at times too. It is soothing to my stomach. Coffee and Smooth Move are my back ups. I don't like coffee and never have drunk it much but it usually works for me in a pinch. Thankfully I only need coffee a few times a month. Interesting it works backwards for you with coffee.
Check out helpful research of biological processes that take place in our gut:
- Migrating Motor complex which is the electroactivity in the GI tract during meals and fasting
- Osmotic gradient. If too much water is pulled into the colon, diarrhea results. If not enough water is pulled into the colon constipation results. Balance of minerals is important. Magnesium, potassium and sodium brings water into the colon. I have found balancing these help prevent constipation. I have to watch my calcium intake because it tends to encourage constipation. Calcium carbonate seems to be the most constipating. I depend on blood work from time to time to make sure my minerals are balanced.
I am overjoyed with my regularity but know if I get too stressed, don't drink enough fluid - dehydrated, don't exercise and or eat constipating foods like milk and cheese. I will need my back ups. Thankfully I seldom am irregular now. I have very ample regulars daily.
Good luck, @farmersmith