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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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farmersmith | @farmersmith | Sep 14, 2024
In reply to @sheilagreen "Very interesting, though quite complex …. Will take note of your tips .. My method is..." + (show)
Profile picture for sheilagreen @sheilagreen

Very interesting, though quite complex ….
Will take note of your tips ..
My method is currently working for me .
However past experiences tell me that it may well change once the body gets too used to it 🤷‍♀️

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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

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misssuezq | @misssuezq | Sep 14, 2024
In reply to @researchmaven "I have what you have and do a lot of food/liquid/supplement modification for it. Everyone has..." + (show)
Profile picture for researchmaven @researchmaven

I have what you have and do a lot of food/liquid/supplement modification for it. Everyone has likely heard my spiel. Just search w/in the blog on ResearchMaven to see how I successfully cope. Good luck!

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Ok so I guess that wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. I couldn’t find your blog. I searched on this sight and did an internet search. Would you please help direct me to it.

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misssuezq | @misssuezq | Sep 14, 2024
In reply to @researchmaven "I have what you have and do a lot of food/liquid/supplement modification for it. Everyone has..." + (show)
Profile picture for researchmaven @researchmaven

I have what you have and do a lot of food/liquid/supplement modification for it. Everyone has likely heard my spiel. Just search w/in the blog on ResearchMaven to see how I successfully cope. Good luck!

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Will do thank you kindly!

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researchmaven | @researchmaven | Sep 14, 2024
In reply to @misssuezq "I have a redundant colon with chronic constipation. As many of you experience just when you..." + (show)
Profile picture for misssuezq @misssuezq

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.

Jump to this post

I have what you have and do a lot of food/liquid/supplement modification for it. Everyone has likely heard my spiel. Just search w/in the blog on ResearchMaven to see how I successfully cope. Good luck!

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2 replies
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misssuezq | @misssuezq | Sep 14, 2024
In reply to @paigetaylor "I also have pelvic floor dysfunction and CC, and have found abdominal massage very helpful. Nice..." + (show)
Profile picture for paigetaylor @paigetaylor

I also have pelvic floor dysfunction and CC, and have found abdominal massage very helpful. Nice to have a tool that doesn't involve medication, though sometimes I need the meds too.

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I agree I’m looking forward to getting help at the Pelvic center kinda?!? 🥹🤪

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misssuezq | @misssuezq | Sep 14, 2024
In reply to @mikaylar "Yes mag cit works. Powdered. Use a teaspoon in a glass of water. If it doesn't..." + (show)
Profile picture for mikayla @mikaylar

Yes mag cit works. Powdered. Use a teaspoon in a glass of water. If it doesn't work in a few hours repeat. Or, use baking soda. Good luck.

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Thank you 😊

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paigetaylor | @paigetaylor | Sep 14, 2024
In reply to @emo "I take 300 mg magnesium citrate capsules and it was working great for me but recently..." + (show)
Profile picture for emo @emo

I take 300 mg magnesium citrate capsules and it was working great for me but recently hasn’t been working as well. My doctor told me I could go up to 400 mg, so I’m trying that for now. Sources I’ve seen online by GI dieticians reference 400-800 mg for constipation.

I’ve tried Natural Calm too, in lemon raspberry. It tastes like raspberry iced tea to me, but for some reason it doesn’t seem as effective.

My other go-to has been chia seed pudding. I take two teaspoons of chia seeds and gel them in yogurt or a smoothie and/or kiwi. My GI doc actually recommended that. There’s a study that eating two green kiwi a day was effective in reducing constipation. Two actually gave me diarrhea lol.

It may be worth considering other contributing factors or consulting with a GI dietician. I got the most help from working with a pelvic PT (I have pelvic floor dysfunction and she also taught me abdominal massage, which you can look up online to improve motility. I imagine that may help with tortuous colon) and a GI dietician. I learned it’s actually possible to have too much fiber, especially in a situation like this where it’s hard for your body to move things along.

I found this article helpful (it’s where I found the info about the magnesium citrate dosage): https://www.fodmapeveryday.com/the-scoop-on-increasing-your-ability-to-poop-strategies-for-alleviating-constipation/.

Good luck to you!

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I also have pelvic floor dysfunction and CC, and have found abdominal massage very helpful. Nice to have a tool that doesn't involve medication, though sometimes I need the meds too.

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1 reply
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mikayla | @mikaylar | Sep 14, 2024
In reply to @misssuezq "I have a redundant colon with chronic constipation. As many of you experience just when you..." + (show)
Profile picture for misssuezq @misssuezq

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.

Jump to this post

Yes mag cit works. Powdered. Use a teaspoon in a glass of water. If it doesn't work in a few hours repeat. Or, use baking soda. Good luck.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for misssuezq
misssuezq | @misssuezq | Sep 14, 2024
In reply to @misssuezq "I have a redundant colon with chronic constipation. As many of you experience just when you..." + (show)
Profile picture for misssuezq @misssuezq

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.

Jump to this post

I appreciate all the suggestions it really helps. If one doesn’t work I can try another and so on. 😊

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Profile picture for misssuezq
misssuezq | @misssuezq | Sep 14, 2024
In reply to @jkarmazin "I too have redundant & torturous colon, A product called SLO-Mag (Magnesuim Chloride) works pretty well..." + (show)
Profile picture for jkarmazin @jkarmazin

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

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Thank you that is helpful I will look into it.

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