Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?

Thanks Sheila for you feedback.
Going to integrative healthcare professionals and doing Permaculture organic gardening most of my 72 years, produce and products are familiar to me. I can understand how they might seem complex. Months went by before I got it right. I did start with evening OptiMg and potassium (K), then morning ground flax and chia but it wasn't predictable enough. I did more research along with trial and error.

The osmotic gradient balance was an AH HA moment. It reminded me of keeping garden soil moist with compost (not really the same but once a gardener always a gardener). I needed to keep my longer than average pipe moist enough. It made sense to take one each of OptiMag and K plus I added Real salt in the middle of the night to be ready for "regularity" in the morning. Because I have low blood pressure and drink lots of water, minerals can become imbalanced. Unlike people with high blood pressure, I can use Real salt.

Just wanted you to get the idea of my discovery process.
Best of luck Sheila,
farmersmith

Hi cdeebar,
Best of luck cdeebar keep at finding the keys for your regularity!
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. How to keep a longer than normal pipe with consistent moisture…. My ND also said because my condition was physical and I was born with it, attention would be needed for it from now on. Working on keeping stress down is very important too.
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 take 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 better 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. Drink lot of water starting with a quart of hot water in the morning - boys scouts. I drink warmed up diluted chicken broth at times too. It is soothing to my stomach. Coffee and Smooth Move are my backups. 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.
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. Good luck, @farmersmith

I am a Crohn's pt who developed tortuous colon about 2 years ago. They were unable to complete colonoscopy even using a pediatric scope. MRI revealed tortuous colon with colonic stricture and significant thickening of bowel wall. I had to go to a hospital who had Advanced Endoscopy to perform balloon dilation on the stricture. I realize I will never have "normal" stool but as long as I keep things soft I can maintain. I hope this info helps.

I have a redundant colon with chronic constipation. As many of you experience just when you figure out a way to help your constipation, it stops working. I’m looking for a new way and want to try magnesium but wasn’t sure if others on here recommend magnesium or magnesium citrate. I welcome your comments.

I too have redundant & torturous colon, A product called SLO-Mag (Magnesuim Chloride) works pretty well for me. All the others are too harsh!

I take Miralax every night. It does help in keeping things soft, but doesn't do anything to move it along. Even so, it should make any type of stimulant work on a lower dose. I don't know that for sure. Just a guess.

misssuezq,
Mag citrate is the liquid that most people use for occasional constipation. It seems to have a wide range of times and thorough relief. I find it very harsh and explosive and often does little for me.
I take Mag carbonate, it is the cheapest, its effectiveness is random, it does aid me, a tiny tiny bit for sleep .
I need to change, I can now afford a better grade.
I have heard that mag glycinate, I think I have this right, is a combo of different types of Magnesium.
Chelated is also supposed to be beneficial, it seems it is more effectively absorbed.
You probably know this, keep your magnesium intake 2 hours before or after any other medications.
I guzzle miralax by the gallon 🤪🤪 ShelleyW

Thank you for the suggestions. Yes it seems like all doctors recommend Miralax.

Yes! And it has affected my quality of life!