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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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Atrantil or a very good probiotics such as Culturelle or Align. You may need to increase Miralax to the point its helping. Also add fiber to your diet - fruits and vegetables
No Mayo but Duke and Wake Forest are an option.
Have you seen a doctor in one of the university hospitals? Is there a Mayo near you?
Thx but for many people with a redundant colon, fiber just makes the situation worse. I am one of those people
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1 ReactionI get a minimum of 16 hours of exercise a week. But thx
This is a long shot but..........can you exercise a lot to maybe get things moving? Walk a few miles a day, sit ups, that kind of stuff.
Instead of Miralax, I would try a fiber such as Metamucil.
Hi, thanks for sharing!
I do love prune juice still take Magnesium Citrate every evening. I just don’t get complete movements. GI had me first on Miralax (never experienced heartburn) then Trulance, Linzess and now Motegrity. I would “clear” but never completely until combining Linzess & Motegrity. Even when I had diarrhea, there was still a blockage.
I will be undergoing a Sitzmarker study this month to confirm inertia, but may end up having the entire colon removed. Turns out you don’t really need it! I am 40 years old, active, and don’t want to depend on medications to use the bathroom for the rest of my life, if that can be avoided.
It’s great to have a platform where we can share our experience, strength and hope.
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5 ReactionsHave you tried prune juice every morning? It really works for me. Also powdered magnesium citrate in water. With this you can start with 1/2 teas and use as needed. You will go in a short time.
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3 ReactionsI suffer from a redundant colon. I am a 60 y/o female and have started taking Mira Lax daily since September 22. Since I started doing this I am having BM's every morning but I know how severe heartburn. I had intermittent heartburn for years but nothing that required attention. I have to tie this to the ML. Does anyone else suffer from this? I am also in excellent health, not one prescription. I normally get 16 hours of exercise a week and have never been overweight. I have gained 10 lbs since I started the ML and I can not lose it. Is it the water retention that is causing this? If so, is there any other way to have a BM without the ML. I eat correctly and drink plenty of fluids.
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