Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?

I sometimes use coconut oil. Make sure the label says unrefined, organic, extra virgin coconut oil.....
https://www.healthline.com/health/coconut-oil-to-treat-constipation#use-for-constipation

How do you use the epsom salts ?

I started the 20 mg of Celexa because that was the only new thing I came away from the new gi with. Took in am because it can cause insomnia and I already have trouble sleeping. Ironically, made me really tired and nauseous. Not few hours of sleep. Next day, diarrhea started so that night cut normal meds in half. Next day, could not leave br for hours. Well, I am no longer constipated! Unfortunately, we are leaving for a 10 drive to the beach in 3 days. This is not a good thing. Plus, I feel awful. So, next day I cut in half. Little better. But now, two days later, I’m in motel, half way to beach, second day, no BM. Couldn’t take much because likely we will be stuck in traffic. I have been looking forward to this vacation with my son and daughter and 5 grandsons for 3 years, and I’m probably going to feel like crap the whole time. I am so sick of this whole thing.

@hopeful2 - I've only used the black chia and don't believe there is any significant difference between them and the white ones.

How did your chia/cherry pudding turn out? Do you notice a difference between the laxative effect of the white vs the black?

I am a Short Bowel Patient; I lost most of my small bowel after surgery to treat Meckel's Diverticulum. I developed adhesions over the next five years , they became strangulated and necrotic during the lysis of Adhesions procedure. Multiple surgeries to rebuild, correct and control the situation left me on TPN, and a loss of 80% of my small bowel and an ileostomy. Surgeons did a reanastamosis surgery where they then performed a Cecectomy removing my Cecum, Appendix and my ICV Valve. I had been at Northwestern memorial in Chicago, later transferred to University of Chicago Medical Center and a few years later back at Northwestern. My first Colonoscopy upon return discovered a very hard procedure that was diagnose as a Tortuous and Redundant Colon. I have bouts of Diarrhea then the brakes slam on and I'm constipated, then back to a middle of the road pudding bits. Have an Upcoming Colonoscopy where they will use a double Balloon procedure. I also have Diverticulosis where even with NuLytely the Diverticula pockets don't always come clean before the procedure

OMG! You are experiencing the same as me…I’ve been on Mayo for SOME time. I’ve seen at least 6 different GI’s. After 5? colonoscopies…the 1st one in2010, the only thing they say is “long tortuous colon w/ diverticulosis.
I’m 5’2”, my normal weight is 130 - 135. I weighed 170 when it was at its worst. Luckily, I got in touch with a GI Dr. I’d never seen. He prescribed me “SurePrep”…it’s what they give to clean you out b4 scopes. It worked, sorta, I had 2 blowouts. The pain in my SWOLLEN gut was unbearable. But that was the beginning…I know this may seem off topic, but I had a metal hip for 16 yrs. 1 day I woke up & all I can say is I was “out of it”. My hip hurt, so I laid back down. I didn’t come out of whatever you wanna call it for over a week..(I have no recollection of what happened during that time). I was in bed, I have 2 kids to get up, get fed, & take to school. When I came to, I went straight to orthopedic dr. & he tested for metal ions…of course I had plenty. Had revision, pain subsided & got back to 130 lb. That was in 2020..pain is back, I only eat soft food & all GI’s say same, tortuous colon & diverticulosis…in fact, a month ago I went to a NEW GI, I had previous reports & scopes. He flipped thru them & said “well, it looks like you have done everything there is to do, I can’t help you”. He gave me amitriptyline 10 mg. Sometimes it helps sometimes it doesn’t but I’ve been on a soft diet for 4 years !
I’ve cried myself (in my room, alone) so many times. I wish I could just go hospice. I hope you have better luck than me. ALSO, make sure you don’t go to the colonoscopy places…they’re everywhere, & that is Literally all they do.
Prayers & best wishes

Sorry, that is "GOMER"------get out of my ER! I guess I have been thinking too much about the tunnels of my colon. Like a GOPHER---HA!

I just saw the nurse practitioner for the gastro doc this week for follow up to colonoscopy results. I was taking 1 senokot and one cap of miralax at bedtime. It seemed to somewhat work, but developed hives after 3 weeks of usage. I have not been able to differentiate which one I have become sensitized to so quickly. So, I switched to two capsules of magnesium oxide formula that is about 600 mg total. I had good results. But we are talking only two days here, so don't get excited. He insists that I not take senna because "it makes the colon lazy". He suggests that I take colace instead. Please correct me on the following information: colace is a mineral oil based softener that can interfere with the absorption of fat soluble vitamins and generally is hard on the liver. Senna and cascara sagrada are stimulant laxatives that can lose their effectiveness over time so that you have to keep increasing the dosage. Bisacodyl is a stimulant laxative that is subject to the same tolerance side effects as senna. The literature says that stimulant laxatives can lead to megacolon. So, when the nurse practitioner tells me no senna, I am thinking, "why take away the very thing that actually works?" I get his reasoning, but my abdominal pain level is always moderate to high and I won't last very long without help. The next step is to offer me prescription meds. I am almost 70 and I am looking at this like you do when you are a senior citizen, should I buy the deluxe model of fridge based on my life expectancy? Should I worry about tolerance to senna at my age when it works so well? I have only been at this for a little over two months and I am already worn out. You guys are incredible. I have learned more from all of you than I would every learn form the pcp or gastro doc. There is an expression that ER docs use. It is "GOPHER", which means "get out of my ER". I just bet docs have one for constipated patients, also. I can see how their eyes want roll back in their heads when a patient mentions constipation, but dang, if it was their body, I bet they would feel differently. All those greeting card jokes about senior citizens not being able to poop or pee aren't so funny now. I guess I will console myself by whipping up my first batch of chia pudding with black cherries.

Thanks for you chia seed routine. I will try it soon. Does it matter what kind of chia you use?--white or black?

Epsom salt has helped me a GREAT deal!!