Anyone else have a Redundant/Tortuous Colon?

Hi Trish, I moved your message here to this discussion:
- Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/redundant-tortured-colon/

I did this so you can connect easily with other members talking about redundant colon.

You have a very unique question. I can't imagine that you cannot have surgery because you have a redundant colon. In fact, surgery is a treatment option for people with redundant colon who have complications due to their twisted colon. Most people do not have complications and aren't even aware that they have an abnormally long colon that has extra twists and loops.

I would definitely tell your oncology surgeon about your redundant colon and ask if that will have any impact on your surgery for uterine cancer or for recovery.

Are you able to contact the GI surgeon who did the colonoscopy to find out what was meant?

I had pre cancer polyps removed 5 years ago and was told I had a redundant colon and could never have surgery. I was still under sedation effects and was thinking later what did he mean? No surgery on colon? Or tummy?
Anyone have surgery, ie. Hysterectomy, with redundant colon and do OK? I just found out I may need surgery for uterine cancer and fear the redundant affects of colon. Anyone?

Omg, all my life. I really suffered as a child and had serious episodes of constipation throughout life. My colonoscopy a few years ago was torture--so painful they could not knock me out--and I have my second one coming up soon. It takes way more than the usual time frame for me to even get prepped too. Definitely gonna talk to GI beforehand. I read "Colowrap" can help but personally I want deeper sedation. Short of surgery, I do not know what helps. I eat lots of veggies, no meat or dairy, try to stay hydrated (that's the hard part!). Knee and hip replacements in last couple years seems to have made things worse. Maybe gut biome related? I take Akkermensia and other recommended.probiotics and extra fiber. Stil feels pretty hopeless.

I have had issues since I was in my early twenties (48 now). I went in many many times for help. I was told I had the flu, was too thin, maybe the edge of my liver was getting pinched? I was made to do an upper GI scope (never lower), HIDA scan, and obviously ultrasound. I was never diagnosed. I even had a two week period where I couldn't eat, was vomiting and could get no provider to listen to me. It wasn't until I went in for my first colonoscopy last month that my surgeon told me I had tortuous bowel. That explains EVERY intestinal issue I had. I wish more doctors considered this being a possible diagnosis and checked for it. Mine is bad enough, she could not complete my colonoscopy, so now I must go in for a CT colonoscopy. Still trying to figure out how to get my guts to work properly, but at least I have a direction to move now!

So thankful that the place that you got your colonoscopy diagnosed you with the redundant/tortuous colon. Dr G with Duke told me that mine is like that bc I am post menopausal! When I asked for some kind of documentation to learn more about it relating to the large intestine, she said that she doesn’t have any literature about this to quote from! Well, how can you tell patients this? Post menopausal drop pertains to the small intestine not the large. Plus the radiologist said that my large bowels were “unremarkable” even though they looked like a drunk M and twisted at the bottom. Would love to know where you get intelligent radiologist who tell the truth instead of blowing off patients with their “unremarkable” comments when it couldn’t be further from the truth!

Thank you for your help.

Hi Jayne,
Thank goodness you’ve been able to avoid surgery. For me, after a cloudy colonoscopy several years ago, I was diagnosed with a redundant/ tortured colon, as well. After a few years of daily doses of milk of magnesia, my gastroenterologist switched me to a daily dose of Mirlax (I use an off brand). Altogether, I’ve been using laxatives for years, now.
In addition, I maintain a strict diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish, chicken and whole wheat. I drink large amounts of water every day, too. All of which works pretty well, leading to a BM most days with the exception of an occasional 2-3 day stretch w/o one.
I’m very religious in following this strict regiment. My only worry has been the continuous use of a laxative, but my doctor reassures me that it’s okay. —Bill

I'll try the beano, that's a good idea, I've cut beans out, but they are a good source of fiber...and now that fatty red meat is pretty much out, I still can eat that, but gotta cut back, and wheat is out out out, at least for now, corn chips, etc. is in, might try to re-introduce beans, say refried beans, to my diet...but beano be a dang bean good idea!

wow, that's a good idea, rice milk, and for enemas, I found that about the best was that thing that they sell for cleaning your ears, comes in a kit sometimes, with ear wax things, fill it up with luke warm water, maybe once, maybe twice, but that's actually a lot of water, easy to clean, easy to use and works quite well, and saves a ton of money...

it's dang difficult, and amazing that the colon and digestive system is so complicated, I never knew before. fiber, healthy fiber, if metamucil, small amounts, cut out broccoli, beans, taters, yeah, I know, think Japanese diet, which isn't bad, rice, fish, white meat, smaller amounts, more rice, oatmeal in small doses, suggest cutting out wheat until ya figure it out, olive oil, fresh olives (healthy probiotics in fresh olives), yogurt/small amounts, pre probiotics, lots of water, fluid, stay hydrated, electrolytes, magnesium and potassium, stay hydrated, fluid, and I found that a very small doses daily of Linzess, a very expensive medication, I take the caps, open them, tip of the finger and a "little dab" of the white, maybe 50 mcgs, daily seems to help the spasms, constipation in the bowel, any more than that, 145 mcg, gives me "the trots" as my dad used to call them, ya know, trot to the can, if I get a flareup, irritation, a little bit of pepto bismo, and also benadryl, occasionally, it's a histamine, but that's not medical advice, there are other antispasmodics that your doctor or pharmacist might recommend. sometimes the pharmacist knows more about the doctor, cause they deal with it day in day out, about meds. breathe, try to relax, yoga, hot soaks, hot tub, hot shower, maybe tai chi, and other folks just don't get it, "well you don't look sick" and ya wanna give them a big fat btch slap or SOCK in the nose for that dumb comment.