Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?

Ignoring food choices, consider soups, smoothies and porridges. Liquidy foods to go around the curves.

Also slippery elm inner bark tea. It supports the mucosa. A lack of "slip" in the colon can contribute to constipation. I also eat foods that act as stimulant laxatives at night - kiwi and rhubarb.

I also take a very small dose of Zoloft. It helps with constipation (side effect) and the anxiety trigger I have for IBS. I can't handle many drugs and cut the 25 mg Zoloft pill into quarters and that is the right dose for me. Also Intoleran digestive enzymes for carbohydrates and lactose.

Looking at food choices, I am highly FODMAP sensitive and only eat about 15 foods. Non-meat proteins. No grains. It's pretty radical but it works.

All my best to you!

Feeling a bit relieved that I'm not alone with this... I had a scan in my early 20s and it was then I learnt I had a torturous (redundant) colon. I've had digestive issues, mostly constipation, excessive flatulence and pain all my adult life. Most recently in the last 6 months, the constipation has become chronic and a CT Scan revealed I'm faecally impacted. Will be having an endoscopy & colonoscopy soon as haemoglobin levels are also extremely low. The digestive issues have gotten worse as has the constipation since being diagnosed with Hypothyroidism over a decade ago. Have to say my appetite has greatly reduced and there's almost a fear of eating due to the pain that it now causes. Stress most definitely exacerbates the issue. Many people do not understand the pain, and discomfort one feels with this. I believe a few of my immediate family members have the same issue which is comforting in some sense. Thankfully I try and keep active and well-hydrated but hate to think how worse things would be if I weren't, but at this present time, it's difficult. take Movicol regularly and I've been prescribed 8 sachets a day for 3 consecutive days by my GP for faecal impaction. I'm starting to think about bowel surgery now cos it's becoming so distressful...

I had surgery in June 2022 for a mobile cecum. The right colon had moved to the left quadrant of my abdomen and created an obstruction. Surgeon just moved the right colon back in place. I just had a CT scan (July 2024) with contrast that showed the ileocecal valve is in the left quadrant, not the right. The radiologist didn’t even mention it as an incidental finding. But I constantly have bloating, constipation, etc. Anyone else have this happen? I had never heard of the ileocecal valve. Does Mayo perform cecoplexy? My surgeon told me in 2022 they don’t work and was thinking of removing the right colon before he moved it back in place. . Looking for viable options if there are any - hoping cecoplexy is a possibility.

Gastro. New dr? Keep going til you get some answers.
It seems as though drs don’t want to deal with this. We need to be more assertive!
Good luck to you!!!

I have not heard of apple pectin, I have tried EVERY OTC for constipation, to no avail, as well as milk o magnesia, magnesium citrate (which historically has worked, always)…but i don’t feel constipated, in fact, no urge at all. Sometimes, after long periods of not going, I’ve noticed there is NO noise…no normal gut sounds at all. I also had swelling in lower back over hip with crippling pain…was on my cane for 3-4 days , then pain stopped. So I’m walking normal now. Not to mention, brain fog. I use that term loosely, because my memory is so bad…I only notice when I do remember something. I’m tired of being in bed & crying for weeks at a time.

I’d say a gastro first. It appears we need to be straightforward and assertive with the drs.
Have you tried apple pectin? It’s a natural fiber, plus. Prunes? I can change the dosage as needed. Rhubarb, sweet potatoes, at least half your body weight in ounces of water?
Sure hope you find relief!

I’m back, after a little over a year? I go 2 wks w/out BM’s..I can’t go w/out some help..I used to be able to drink “Smooth Move” herbal tea, prune juice…after 2 weeks with no results, would take Linzess. But the pain is unbearable anymore.
I don’t know what to do…I may have said this previously, not sure, (forgive repeat if so). Had lots of pain pre rev, now it’s unbearable. I remembered the other day that my GI Dr. I had seen for 4-5 yrs told me the last time I saw her that she thought my gut issues were related to my hip implant, (at that time, it was m.o.m.)
Here I am 4yrs later & it’s just worse!
Should I see another GI or orthopedic?
Help
@sickofbeinsick

Hi JN, I am a young 63 and also have similar issues; I have a redundant colon with 13 extra inches. I have had severe constipation for 50 years. If one more doctor or therapist tells me to eat more fiber and drink more water, I am going to scream. A redundant, or tortuous colon is a "defect" in anatomy. Our colon twists and swirls and crowds in to fit. I am finally going to see a colorectal surgeon/ specialist to discuss options but thinking a colectomy will be the best, most sustainable option for me.
When you had the 14 inches of colon removed, is that the same surgery as a colectomy? Are you considering having a second colectomy?
Forgive my questions, though this has been a lifetime disorder for me, I am knew to actually trying to get real help!
Take care!
Robyn808

I had a tortuous redundant colon. I had a partial colectomy where they took out the part that was looped over my liver. I have not been back to the ER since, (for my stomach). before that I was in the ER 3 times a month with terrible pain. If your pain continues through today, I would call your doctor.

Hi! I’m so happy I found this site! I had a colonoscopy yesterday. I’m told I have a tortuous colon. Halfway into the colon the scope broke and they had to use a pediatric scope. Today I am so sore. I have been have a problem with bloating and I think it is from my colon. I was looking at the foods you shouldn’t eat and I eat all of them thinking I’m eating healthy. I go back to the doctor in a few weeks and I am going to see what he recommends. Thank you for the info I have already learned from all of you