Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?

How! New here. I was informed, only by reading my colonoscopy results that I have a tortuous colon. Nobody has ever said anything about this to me, including numerous Gastro doctors. I didn’t know it could have such an negative impact on my life. I’ve gone for years using laxatives, prescription medications like Linzess, enemas, colon cleansers, and the last prescription I got was for Enulose which made my symptoms 1000 times worse. I’ve since stopped everything and am doing a gut healing reset with really bland foods. It’s not perfect, but it’s better. I was supposed to see a PA tomorrow to discuss testing for bacteria like SIB, but they canceled it saying that I need to see an MD. I’ve already seen many doctors and a colonoscopy 6 years ago which was perfect. Such a big part of me is angry that nobody explained this to me. They just kept throwing meds at me. I read a comment from somebody else on here who said if one more doctor asked me if I eat enough fiber and drink enough water I was going to scream as well! This is an anatomical problem that nobody has explained to me until I started looking this up on ChatGPT.

I just had a colonoscopy, my third. I looked at the report and the doc mentioned a tortuos colon but no polyps. I do have diverticula throughout the whole colon. He took biopsies to figure out why I have been having chronic diarrhea and inability to absorb magnesium. None of my other colonoscopies have mentioned this condition. Maybe not mentioned because it wasn't tortuous, just redundant and I weighed 50 lbs more at the time.
I am 5' 1" tall and used to weigh 220 lbs, but am down in the last 3 years to 170. I am type 2 diabetic and have afib. I have had 5 pregnancies. And just had an umbilical hernia repair in January 2025. When I was young, I had chronic gas and constipation. I had a diet of mostly cereals, oats, cream of wheat, processed lunch meats, rice, potatoes, and vegetables with occasional meat, but didn't like meat much. Now I am 70 and have had in the last 25 years, peritonitis with an unknown cause (my appendix is intact), diverticulitis with 3 or 4 diverticula that now are all through my colon, colon polyps but none on this recent colonoscopy, a gall bladder removed in 2018 because gall stones blocked my pancreas and caused pancreatitis, acid reflux which endoscope showed a little bit of irritation and inflammation in the lower stomach, and finally chronic diarrhea with occasional constipation. All bacterial stool tests and blood work so far is normal. I eat oats, shredded wheat and 100% whole wheat bread, pasta not enriched with folate, brown rice, potatoes and sweet potatoes, vegetables and fruits, eggs, cheese, and 2% milk, small amounts of meat and fish once a day.
I have been in the hospital due to low magnesium, potassium, and calcium and develop kidney stones. I am under care of a hospital based weight loss program also. I am currently following low FODMAP and my stomach pain is less but the diarrhea still here.

@dori925
Have you had your thyroid checked?
1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/24050-polydipsia
2. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/reasons-why-you-may-be-feeling-really-thirsty
3. https://www.healthline.com/health/thirst-excessive
4. https://www.goodrx.com/well-being/diet-nutrition/why-am-i-feeling-thirsty-so-often-signs-factors

Has anyone linked having a redundant colon with excessive thirst? I’m constantly thirsty day and night. If I eat anything substantial for dinner I wake up every few hours with a dehydration headache and have to drink 20 ounces of water. I can no longer drink alcohol because it makes me too thirsty. I’ve had MRIs, and every lab test there is and all are normal. My theory is I need a lot of water to move food through, especially after I’ve taken MiraLAX. I used to be very sensitive to caffeine and maybe that helped me in the past. Now caffeine doesn’t affect me much. I’ve had a long history of GI issues my whole life. Thanks for any insights.

My surgeon didn't add the applesauce but recommended that I use 1-2 tbs (start with 1) before bed. Miralax put me in the hospital with a micro-perforation ... I too have a tortuous colon. Diagnosed at 50. I'm 73!

I was diagnosed with colon angulation post back surgery. The IM doc thought it was because of adhesions/scar tissue attached to my colon and when they straightened the spine, the angulation happened. So far, my IM doc has me taking MiraLax 2x daily. It seemed to help for awhile but now I’m back to feeling bloated, unable to pass gas, nauseated and burping constantly. Has anyone had laparoscopic surgery to clean up adhesion on an angulated colon? Also I am without a gallbladder ☹️

Prayers for you!! I was diagnosed with it too.. it's horrible!! I've been constipated all my life too.. I use Trulance and Miralax and Vanilla Plant based Ensure (5mg fiber) and Thomas multigrain English muffins.. 8 mg fiber.. and no sucralose.. sucralose will kill your good gut bacteria..also take VSL3 probiotics..I went from 135 lbs to 98 ..and now overweight at 155.. but better..was in the hospital several times for it.. got colitis and ambulanced to hospital with a B/P 60 over 40.. just couldn't pass anything.. up or out..and sweated out all my fluids!! They used to bags to hydrated me on the 45 mile drive to the hospital.. sometimes I Miralax twice a day..and really watch what I eat.. lots of water and Kinderlite (not Pedilight or Gatorade ..haves sucralose).. I'll be praying for you to find exactly what works for you..I got on my knees and cried out to God.. standing on the healing scriptures!! Lifting you up to the Lord for healing!!

I have slow colon mobility. nothing works for me. I tried every fiber supplement and prescription know to man. My GI put me on an old fashioned remedy. Mineral Oil and Applesauce before bed. Please talk to your GI before use. I was bed for over a year because of this issue. I went from 128lbs to 93 lbs. The reason you feel full after eating is your colon does not empyt like it should and what is in your stomach has no where to go. I get horrible spasms beneath my ribs. Actually nothing you can do but keep your colon moving. The Gi is trying to keep me away from having surgery. Good Luck...

I also was told I have a moderately tortuous colon at my last colonoscopy. Was not given any info on it. I also have biliary dyskinesia. Not sure what is causing the early satiety feeling and bloating. I have never had a large abdomen until now. Have always had a problem with constipation so have been taking magnesium glycinate plus started taking MiraLAX. Wish there was a book on what to do or I guess it’s trial and error.

Wow, I’ve never heard of that. I mean the bruising part. You must have quite a twist in there! I hope it doesn’t cause you too many problems. 💕