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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becky12 | @becky12 | Jan 16, 2023

I'm in the same boat. Lifelong constipation (I'm 55) and bloating. I was diagnosed after getting yelled by the nurse for not being sufficiently empty for my colonoscopy. I drank every drop, but it had a long way to go to reach the exit LOL. My GI doc said next time we'll start a week ahead of time rather than 2 days.

Intermittent fasting has improved my bowels considerably, and I really hope, respectfully, to never be in your shoes! No fun! Hang in there:)

blanche54 | @blanche54 | Jan 15, 2023

Yes, I had a redundant colon with loops and adhesions in my sigmoid colon. I had that portion of my colon removed. The surgery was easy in comparison to all the cramping I had been having with leg and back pain. I was in the hospital for three days and was healed in four weeks. The pain on my left side is gone now. My transverse colon is also redundant and I look forward to having it shortened. I have severe food sensitivities due to genetics, and over the years dealt with bouts of constipation, I believe it has caused this stretching. I had a lower GI with barium when I was in my early 20s and my colon position was normal. I am now 68. It is probably double in length now due to years of inflammation-causing stretching from gas build-up. I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and I know I have had it for years. I have included a recent CT scan with contrast demonstrating the pockets of gas that collect and the damage from the ulcers. The single scan shows the beginning of my sigmoid colon. You can also see the fusion of my spine I have had due to bone erosion, I believe this occurred from osteomyelitis in my maxilla bone due to tooth infections that drained into my sinus. The bone around the molars became infected.

Shared files

Colon pockets (Colon-pockets.pdf)

kjn72 | @kjn72 | Jan 10, 2023

In reply to @sallyw133 "How do you split dulcolax?" + (show)

With a pill cutter

sallyw133 | @sallyw133 | Jan 10, 2023

In reply to @kjn72 "I read a blog on the Mayo site from a woman who had similar constipation issues..." + (show)

How do you split dulcolax?

kjn72 | @kjn72 | Jan 9, 2023

In reply to @kjn72 "JN: I am a 72y/o woman with severe constipation & a redundant colon. 7 years ago..." + (show)

I read a blog on the Mayo site from a woman who had similar constipation issues that I have. She wrote that she had a lot of success using Prunelax. She got it at Wallmart. I decided to order it online, Amazon, to try it. I found that if I take one pill with one half Ducolax that it works. This is very exciting because I haven't been enema dependent in 6 or so weeks!
As far as Motegrity goes, it costs 400 dollars monthly since I am a retiree on a fixed income, I can't afford it, same with Trulance. The companies will not discount the medication when someone is on Medicare.
I thank the person who posted about Prunelax, it has been a blessing.

sallyw133 | @sallyw133 | Jan 6, 2023

Yes I also do this

clkurth | @clkurth | Jan 6, 2023

In reply to @sallyw133 "I have extremely slow motility and experience a lot of constipation. My gi has told me..." + (show)

I suggest 1 large T of high quality extra virgin olive oil at night before bed. This reliably cleans me out and is also good for your health overall. Also drink a very big glass of water each morning. This helps to power through any stuck or resistant bowel.

sallyw133 | @sallyw133 | Jan 5, 2023

I have extremely slow motility and experience a lot of constipation. My gi has told me ok to use if no movement after 5 days. What I’m trying now, with her ok, is 1 senna tablet after 2-3 days instead. So far, that seems to gets things moving for me without the big “clean out” I get with the tea. If you compare the senna content b/t the two, you will be amazed how much is in the tea. Especially, depending upon how long you steep it. The one advantage with the tea for me is that it generally works in a couple of hours. The pill are overnight so I’m waiting around the next day. All a matter of the result you’re looking for. Probably more detail than you’re looking for but I’ve been at this a longgg time and always searching for solutions.

clkurth | @clkurth | Jan 5, 2023

In reply to @jaleh "Does anybody here does Smooth Move tea? It works really well for me but the Dr...." + (show)

This is a potent tea which effectively “moves” the stuck bowels. I find it also tends to be irritating to the intestines, so I don’t suggest using it routinely, but only on a PRN basis. Just my experience.