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Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?
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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The doctors didn't seem to think it was related to the colonoscopy because they never wanted to expand that conversation. So sorry you had a burst appendix in 2015.
Obstructions have nothing to do with the colonoscopy. For some reason the impaction started you obstructed issues. Mine all started with a burst appendix in 2015.
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1 ReactionI had a several impacted bowels before my colonoscopy in March 2023 and had to go to emergency because of the extreme pain. I then had my colonoscopy in March 2023 and about 10 days after that I started having obstructed bowels (3 times last year). I was hospitalized each of those times.
It seems very strange that my impacted bowels changed to obstructed just after have the colonoscopy but the GI specialists do not have an answer to that.
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1 Reaction40 years ago when I had my first colonoscopy, the gastroenterologist told me that my intestinal tract is 2 feet longer than normal. Is that Long Colon? I know I've been bothered with chronic constipation/nausea/bloating (and then every 3rd or 4th day horrible diarrhea) all my life, also my mother and her mother same thing. (Which of course, as soon as the medicos hear about mom and grandma, it's "Hereditary! Nothing can be done.")
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1 ReactionIt is what it is. I have had 5 abdominal surgeries starting with a burst appendix surgery leading to 3 incisional hernia surgeries.
Every time the surgeons go into your belly you can, and probably will develop adhesions. This could also be caused by redundant colon and adhesions.
I am to the point surgery is not possible anymore as my diverticulosis makes my colon too weak for more surgery and a resection. I have been to many specialist and surgeons to find I just have to live with my daily pain and discomfort. I am mostly on a liquid diet. Stay away from food that is difficult to go down the kitchen sink like beef, and stringy veggies.
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3 ReactionsI've had all the symptoms that this brings on, but just had the dx of redundant colon with my colonoscopy earlier this week. Never before has this come up with any other CT scans in the past few years and another colonoscopy back in '19. Right upper abdominal pain and clinching to the point of where it feels like a softball is inside me. Every CT scan I have had show excessive stool in my system even though I've taken linzess, and OTC motility supplements, and adhere to a low fat/low sugar diet. Similar to others here, that jammed up feeling then kicks off the feeling like crap , and not being able to go #2. My bile duct has been detached from the stomach and reattached to the small intestine to avoid the excessive bile that was building up in my stomach, hence having the surgery back in late '19.
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4 ReactionsWow sorry for what you're going through. Never heard of this condition. How old are you, and have you had issues with condtioation before this diagnosis?
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1 ReactionI just had this and an endoscopy done earlier in the week as part of my ongoing GI issues post reux en y surgery late '19 for bile reflux/chronic nausea. Since my surgery things have slowly gotten worse with more chronic constipation/nausea/bloating periods. The doc who did this told me I have a longer colon than normal and this could be the reason behind my symptoms now. I last had a colonoscopy done back in '19 as well and there was no mention of this. Is this just a matter of interpretation? Of course I looked this up and it can lend itself to everything I am feeling. My concern is the bad days are nor equaling the decent days which was not the case until the past 6-7 months.
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6 ReactionsHi friend, I was using ZenWise Advanced Digestive Enzymes with pre and probiotics and got relief using them. I recently bit the bullet and had an endoscopy done that revealed I had a hiatal hernia which I think was the cause of a lot of my discomfort, Having been on the over-the-counter antacids for years, my doc felt they were not doing the job, and put me on a prescription that is working very well. Good luck to you
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1 ReactionWhich ZenWise product do you take?