Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?

I have a tortuous colon and trying to follow a low map diet. It seemed to help at first but now things have slowed down and having more discomfort. I started drinking apple juice (2-3 cups a day) and miralax when things are not moving as they should. It’s helping move things but still uncomfortable. I plan on flying soon and getting nervous about flying- gas, more discomfort due to flying. Any advice or recommendations?

JN: I am a 72y/o woman with severe constipation & a redundant colon. 7 years ago I had 14" of colon removed and 3 additional surgeries for a rectocele, entrocele and another bowel prolapse. I have been severely constipated before and after surgeries. I have tried evert kind of otc med, laxatives, fibers and many prescribed meds, drink 1/2 gallon of water, swim 4-5 times weekly, do zumba nothing works. I have thrown up after 6 days of not going. I have pains in right upper and left lower abdominal areas. I am enema dependent to empty my bowels, it is a painful process and can last for 3 hours every time I do it. 2 surgeons recommended colectomy, 1 did not. 1 GI recommended surgery, 2 did not. I am a young 72 and want to continue living actively with less difficulty. Anyone have surgery that worked, and what kind to eliminate this problem? I have been told that colectomy can also produce bloating, gas, things I am already dealing with. Thank you for your help
JN

Thank you for this. I, too, have lifelong constipation which is now mostly managed successfully with 600-900 mg Magnesium Citrate daily and a probiotic (either Inner-Eco or Zenwise, which I learned about from a member on this site). I have a known "severely" tortuous colon and imagine my evacuation rate is very slow, though I've never done the smart pill. I have two questions for you. One, gluten. I confess I have never done the full gluten-free diet because so many people told me it was a fad and that unless you have celiac it's not a likely culprit. Your report makes me wonder if it's worth trying. Two, have you suffered back pain/joint instability? I feel my hypermobile joints - and in particular my Sacroiliac Joint dysfunction - is directly linked to my large/stressed out/tortuous colon. My GI doc doesn't seem to think they'd be related, but I wonder, anecdotally if others have this experience. My 21 year old daughter seems to have a similar set of symptoms (constipation/SI dysfunction). We do not have IBS. Thanks!

Thank you for the input. I have this condition. For some reason I tried Metamucil years ago and I didn't like it- I didn't think it helped, so I stopped trying. After reading your comments, I think I'll try it again, as this is really messing with my health. Thanks.

I have had IBS-C issues for as long as I can remember, but about 7 years ago they became chronic to the point where I can go a week (or more) without any bowel movement if I'm not taking laxatives. I have had dozens of tests, and the only useful information I have received so far was from a visit to the Mayo clinic in Rochester a little over a year ago, where they discovered I have a "highly tortuous colon" and could barely complete a colonoscopy. The recommendations at that time included increasing my fiber, which doesn't help at all. Other tests have also revealed that I have a partially prolapsed lower colon, but not to the point where surgery would be a good idea. Taking fiber supplements makes me extremely bloated and becomes unbelievably painful, and Miralax makes me sick to my stomach and doesn't do too much to move things along. I've tried different things with my diet, and right now, I mostly eat white rice (brown is too hard to digest), vegetables, and small amounts of protein. I feel like i'm going a little crazy trying different things like eliminating dairy or other food restrictions, but I don't know what else to do. I completely avoid gluten. I've been very active my whole life...have run marathons and done lots of strength training and different types of endurance races, but recently I don't have the energy for the types of training that these events require. @karena65 Do you have a resource that you can share on the whole plant diet? Is there any other advice anyone can share?

I have this condition and used to have problems with constipation, bloating and abdominal discomfort. I tried taking a Metamucil-type (generic) fiber powder in water each day and it's made all the difference! I have regular bowel movements and feel greet. My GI doc has me undergo a colonoscopy every 18 months, as he's found a number of polyps and I have a family history of colon cancer.