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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I also have redundant loopy colon and chronic constipation. I am seeing a colon and rectal surgeon next week to see what I can do since I don't like linzess or trulance. I want to see what else could be wrong with my lower digestive system. I no longer have any bowel movements unless I use enemas or suppositories. I wonder about water irrigation as another possibility. would love to hear suggestions, Lupejoan

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Profile picture for annbk @annbk

I recently had my first colonoscopy. When I read the notes, I was surprised to read that I have a "loopy" colon. My lifelong chronic constipation suddenly made sense. For the past 20 years, I have successfully treated the problem (without knowing the cause) by eating at least 1/4 cup of amaranth per day. It works amazingly well. If anyone wants to try it and would like recipes, let me know.

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would love the recipe for amaranth to help with chronic constipation. Nothing I eat or drink helps-my doctor said I was beyond diet. But would like to try your recipe rather than take trulance or linzess.

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Profile picture for charliesophiedaisyro @charliesophiedaisyro

Try one of the Mayo clinics. Good luck!!

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I can’t try the Mayo Clinic as I have an advantage insurance plan. They won’t take advantage plans. I am sure tha5 is financial. I may drop my advantage plan and just have Medicare.

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Profile picture for judithclark @judithclark

I am not better, I am worse. I now have 2 inguinal and 1 incisional hernias. This is all left over issues from my appendix rupture in 2015 while at sea on the Atlantic Ocean. My first of many surgeries took place in the Azores.
I cannot get surgery because no one wants to get involved in my messed up abdominal region. I also think my advantage insurance plan will not pay enough for a specialist to do the surgery. A PPO won’t take me due to preexisting conditions.

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Try one of the Mayo clinics. Good luck!!

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Profile picture for member8675309 @member8675309

This post is old, but I hope you're doing better. You mentioned having mobile cecum. I posted several times for the first time today because I'm trying to find out how other people were treated for that and if it worked. Some people apparently have surgery, but i'm hoping for more details.

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I am not better, I am worse. I now have 2 inguinal and 1 incisional hernias. This is all left over issues from my appendix rupture in 2015 while at sea on the Atlantic Ocean. My first of many surgeries took place in the Azores.
I cannot get surgery because no one wants to get involved in my messed up abdominal region. I also think my advantage insurance plan will not pay enough for a specialist to do the surgery. A PPO won’t take me due to preexisting conditions.

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Profile picture for judithclark @judithclark

I also have a redundant colon along with adhesions and mobile cecum. I have intermittent intestinal obstructions as well. You can drive yourself crazy doing the right thing but it won’t help. Sometime I think doctors give you stuff to eat and do to keep you busy and off their back.

I have been at this too long however and done it all. A tortuous colon is a mechanical thing and no amount of microbiom blah…blah….blah crap will work. It is more the texture that goes through loops. Think of your intestines more like the kitchen sink and what can go down the garbage disposal. If you get stopped up eat only liquids. I take a stool softener daily. Since i am prone to obstructions, i don’t take stimulants. My surgeon told me that you can’t open a locked door and stimulants will make things worse.

Trying different things the doctor tells you to take or do makes him feel that he is proactive to make everyone feel better. Don’t bother as none of it helps. Don’t eat raw veggies. The fiber just stops up the works.

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This post is old, but I hope you're doing better. You mentioned having mobile cecum. I posted several times for the first time today because I'm trying to find out how other people were treated for that and if it worked. Some people apparently have surgery, but i'm hoping for more details.

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Profile picture for sueshel @sueshel

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.

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I found your old post and I hope things are a lot better now. I've posted a number of times today to ask people how they were treated when they had mobile cecum and what their experience was if they had surgery. Did you ever find a surgeon or did you decide against surgery? Thank you for anything you could share.

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Profile picture for longcolin @longcolin

you sound like me!
Thank you for the vinegar tip. xoxo

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Longcolin,

I do a lot of things differently now -- I had Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for anxiety and I can control it now at a school grade of B -- necessary as there is no firewall between my head and my gut. I eat bland food (vineger is out- when my gut was better it was in). I always have some fiber with a meal. I take methylfolate and B12 together as it seems to help my gut and energy levels. Slipperly elm inner bark powder with almost every snack/meal to provide slip to stool. Kiwi/rubarb compote at night as it has a stimulant effect, hopefully natural. Magnesium at night with 1 Colace brand stool softener. I sip more water; every MD says it matters and it does. I take Intolerans dietary enzymes with every snack/meal. I still have a limited diet but am doing better with small amounts of fish and meat. My gut needs a lot of support. I hope your gut is better, even if I sound like you. Note I am grateful to have come out in a decent way on this journey. And I am sure, in my case, I wrecked my gut when I was a sugarholic. I counsel everyone to eat better than I did. All my best!

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Profile picture for marmoldav @marmoldav

Hello. I just had my first colonoscopy and the report on it says I have a tortuous colon. For some time now I have complained to my doctor that I get full after eating very little. I had loads of test done that tested my stomach and at what speed it emptied. They said everything was fine. I still have the problem and, to be honest, it's worse since the colonoscopy. I have had no contact from the doctor since the colonoscopy about the results (tortuous colon and a tubular adenoma) which I find strange and if I don't here soon I'm going to ask my primary care doctor what to do. I'm wondering if the tortuous colon is the cause for the full feeling and how it will effect future colonoscopies because with the tubular adenoma I think I'm gonna need colonoscopy more than every 10 years. If anyone has a similar experience I'd like to hear about it.

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I have a torturous colon. I have a colonography instead of a colonoscopy. You still have to prep for it, but you are awake and photography is taken inside of you.

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Profile picture for researchmaven @researchmaven

I have IBS-C and a severely redundant colon. Before I got on top of it, I had lost 25 lb and was technically underweight. This is what I learned works for me, through trial and error:

NOS: No grains (including no gluten) and no lactose. No legumes. Trace animal/milk fat. No beef or poultry. No fruit. No to most low and all high FODMAP foods as rated by the Monash University app. No coffee, caffeine, carbonation, most herbal teas. No to most vegetables. No sugar or most liquid natural sweeteners. No artificial sweetener. No hot pepper spice. No to large meals. No to bulking fiber supplements. No emotional stress (good emotions and bad emotions - however I am starting to see a GI psych to engage in a seven-week hypnosis program to cut the connection between my emotions and gut - they call it creating muscle memory. Recommended by my gastro doc.)

YESES: Green plantain flour, fresh green and hard plantains, pea protein isolate, potato starch, egg whites, low fat fish (tilapia, cod, shrimp, Lactaid nonfat milk, 1-2 heaping teaspoons of Lactaid cottage cheese/day. Brewers Yeast, Yeast, Chia (in moderation and well soaked), Swiss chard (no stems), tender kale (no stems), collard greens, common radish, the green part only of green onions, patty pan squash, mung bean sprouts, kobocha squash (Asian grocery), parsnip, fresh and dried herbs, olive oil (not a lot), Peppermint tea, lattes with my ingredients (I make a turmeric one), Rhubarb. Pure stevia. 1-3 raw brazil nuts. Walnuts for baking. A bit of maple syrup. Korean 100% sweet potato noodles. Maille dijon mustard, trace Mayo, A couple of olives, a few capers. Fody brand condiments, in small quanities. 0.5 teaspoon Bragg's apple cider vinegar with every meal (to give me more acid to digest my food -- a key change for me). 4-6 small meals a day. Always a warm drink or tap water to sip. My system doesn't work well without that. Mineral oil as a laxative, at bedtime, 3/8 - 1/2 teaspoon. Note: my gut is hypersensitive, so both the oil and vinegar are only needed in small quantities. Adequate sleep - lack of such disregulates my colonic processes.

End notes: I don't get constipated (incomplete evacuation) much due to the vinegar. Emotional distress (from politics for me) really sent my IBS-C into overdrive and triggered my need for a very limited diet. For brief times I was on a small dose of an anti-anxiety med that had a side effect of helping IBS-C. Then I stopped, and for some reason, some months later, I was depressive and then again on a small dose of an anti-depressant and then stopped. I have used relaxation apps and the IBS-C, doctor recommended Mahana app (the free, initial series of information) and still do its square breathing. I do stomach massage as laid out by the National Health Service of England.

IBS-C is functional. I think a redundant colon contributes to its manifestation. I can elaborate on the above if you want, in any way.

Keep trying until you find what works for you. A GI/IBS dietitian may help or the GI psych route I am now taking.

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you sound like me!
Thank you for the vinegar tip. xoxo

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