Anyone else have a Redundant/Tortuous Colon?

So sorry you’re going through this at such an early age. I’ve also struggled since my 30’s but things only got really bad 4 years ago, I’m 65. I’m doing the Sitz Marker study on the 22nd and a defography on June 2. Really looking forward to a fun 3 weeks of no meds, colonoscopy preps and a somewhat “awkward” procedure! I’m also looking at surgery. Best of luck to you!

I so relate to this! I’m super active, 39 years old, petite (except for a balloon belly). Just had anorectal manometry done and have Sitz Marker study next week in hopes of getting a surgery scheduled. I have tried holistic, pharmaceuticals, acupuncture, suppositories, etc. Motegrity (@thellman) did work the best but only for about 2 weeks. Those were the best 2 weeks I’ve ever had, motility-wise. I don’t know that I’d ever experienced a complete, clearing BM until then. I will have semi-regular movements but they are loose and small and pass right over the blockages. My lower left side feels like it’s on fire. I want to have the surgery and not waste time fighting with this anymore. There’s pressure on my bladder so I never know when I’m going to have to use the bathroom (urgently!) and my tailbone is even angled differently sometimes. Lots of lower back pressure and difficulty engaging lower abs. My heart goes out to everyone who understands!

I did. She told me they use water-soluble barium and should not present an issue. To be safe, I’m going to do an enema after.

I just wanted to share my experience as what may or may not be related to the MRI defography . In 2012 I had a defography using barium which showed a modest size rectocele. Two weeks later I ended up with a bowel obstruction or better known as a sigmoid voluvulus. They had to perform emergency surgery and remove 2 inches of my sigmoid colon. Please discuss your concerns with your doctor.

My dr has suggested an X-ray defography. I believe I read somewhere in one of these posts, I could be mistaken as I read much everywhere!, but I thought it was advised not to use barium with a severely redundant/tortuous colon as to the possibility of the residual barium “hardening-up in all those bends and kinks and causing much difficulty after testing is completed. Anyone recall this or had this test done and had good or bad experience. My previous dr would have done MRI defography which does not use barium. My new dr feels xray gives much better results.

Please try MCT oil. Just a teaspoon in your tea or coffee in the morning, will sort out constipation. It taste like nothing and you will go every day!

I’d love to hear more!

what is Amaranth?

I am 69 & understand your issues. It is comforting to know there are others out there suffering with these difficulties but wouldn’t it be so wonderful if there was a solution that gastroenterologists could agree on. I found them pandemic became a good excuse to not leave the house & has just exacerbated my tendency to avoid outings.

I too have a redundant and torturous colon. And I also use abdominal message to help with motility. I seem to go from constipation and not diarrhea but softer stools. I had used Miralax and Citracel for years but had incontinance issues with the Miralax. I am currently taking Slow Mag twice a day. I seem to have trouble with certain foods as I have IBS as well. I am doing Pelvic Floor PT and they have been a big help. Having a colonoscopy is a nightmare and I think at this point I am done with that. One big issue with me is gas and controlling it. I often have no idea it is there and suddenly I pass it. Very embarrassing but impossible to control. I think because of all the twists and turns. I am afraid I am developing a small amount of anal prolapse. Seeing a new Gastro next month. Found my old one to be too busy doing procedures to help me solve my issues. Thank goodness I found a wonderful Primary Care Dr. That is helping me. Mentally this is such a difficult journey! I had an Aunt that never left her house the last 10 to 15 years of her life and a mother that pushes through, but has terrible incontinence! I am 69 years old and very active. My PT person is so against surgery, but sometimes I think it might be good!