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

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shortiseltzer | @shortiseltzer | Oct 13, 2024

In reply to @shelleyw "shortiseltzer, My reply has some jest.🤪 Be happy you have diarrhea and weight loss vs chronic..." + (show)

Thank you for your reply. My name is Tonya. Yes, I would rather have diarrhea than constipation, as it can become very serious. But it still affects my daily life. Lol on the trips counting as steps. I will definitely start a journal as many members suggest. I am very happy I found this forum in hopes of not feeling alone in this unfortunate journey.

shortiseltzer | @shortiseltzer | Oct 13, 2024

In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @shortiseltzer and welcome to Mayo Connect. As you can see, Mayo Connect is a great..." + (show)

My biopsy should be completed within 10 days. I’m going to start a journal as suggested by many members.

researchmaven | @researchmaven | Oct 13, 2024

In reply to @shelleyw "researchmaven, 👍 yes, I must eat small portions. I also have celiac, so I have gotten..." + (show)

Ditto on small portions. Comparing cereal plans, I use (because I have to) LiveKuna plantain flour for my hot cereal. I cook it with liquid egg whites, pea protein isolate powder and Lactaid milk and water. 100% Stevia to sweeten. I change it up with the spices and flavorings I can tolerate. I make it a variety of ways. The longer I do this, the easier it gets.

shelleyW | @shelleyw | Oct 13, 2024

In reply to @slkanowitz "Shelley I love your sense of humor! It’s the only way to deal with this stuff..." + (show)

slkanowitz,
YAY! Thanx for your kind comment. You explained something to to me and I helped you with a moment of smile, I am going to try and make my thick dumb brain, see and remember this as a plus ✅ in the success column. ShelleyW

shelleyW | @shelleyw | Oct 13, 2024

In reply to @misssuezq "I could join you in the boring bland very limited diet as well. Stupid 💩 issues" + (show)

misssuezq,
FABULOUS....you can be one of the charter members 👍🤪 👎🏼 I couldn't decide if this is a good thing or a bad thing.
ShelleyW

shelleyW | @shelleyw | Oct 13, 2024

In reply to @vicscats "I understand all you said. I never thought I’d be so nothing! Vicki" + (show)

viscats,
You, we, are NOT nothing..... but the course in med school that teaches:
Human compassion: To be a good doctor you MUST treat the whole patient as a person, not just an illness....has been removed completely from med school. Most of our medical professionals have turned to practicing this seriously flawed method...🤯🤬and we pay the highest emotional and physical toll for this huge failure.
Hey, everyone else gets to go on strikes to protest for wages and benefits, wouldn't it be stupendous if we could all go on strike, stop paying our premiums , do you think if our doctors were paid for their "cured patient care ", they might pay attention to how much they are hurting us all 👿 oops, I am ranting, I think I should go to bed now . ShelleyW

misssuezq | @misssuezq | Oct 13, 2024

In reply to @shelleyw "researchmaven, 👍 yes, I must eat small portions. I also have celiac, so I have gotten..." + (show)

I could join you in the boring bland very limited diet as well. Stupid 💩 issues

vicscats | @vicscats | Oct 13, 2024

In reply to @shelleyw "viscats, A couple of options: 1. At 70, we aren't worth the time and effort of..." + (show)

I understand all you said. I never thought I’d be so nothing!
Vicki

slkanowitz | @slkanowitz | Oct 13, 2024

In reply to @shortiseltzer "I’ve been dealing with weight loss, diarrhea, bloating, gas feeling full and acid buildup. I had..." + (show)

For the acid excess, avoid citrus, caffeine, alcohol, acidic foods like tomato, vinegary salad dressing, etc. Creamy, non spicy foods are best. Then keep an arsenal of otc PPI like omeprazole or Nexium, a histamine 2 blocker like pepcid, and a chewable antacid tablet for purse and liquid antacid for nighttime GERD. The NSAIDS like ibuprofen and naproxen are bad culprits for excess stomach acid so use sparingly with food or milk. You can take all 3 meds if needed, listed strongest to weakest but the antacids work the fastest. . See your doctor if those things don’t work or persist over two weeks. Spring and fall are ulcer seasons for some reason. 😟

slkanowitz | @slkanowitz | Oct 13, 2024

In reply to @shelleyw "researchmaven, 👍 yes, I must eat small portions. I also have celiac, so I have gotten..." + (show)

Shelley I love your sense of humor! It’s the only way to deal with this stuff and maintain some sanity at the absurdity of it all! Your little emojis are so cute and appropriate 😀 you make me feel happy that I can make some sense of these dilemmas that bewilder us!