Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?

May I ask how much Lactulose you take a day and when? I have a prescription of it for my chronic constipation but so far all I get from it is bloating and gas. Perhaps there is a better way for me to take it than 1Tablespoon at bedtime?

I’ve had chronic constipation for many years. I had a colonoscopy last November and my dr. Told me I have a tortuous colon. I had surgery in Jan. 2020 and my surgeon said “ my only advice is to do whatever it takes not to be constipated bc if I do I’d end up back in the hospital. I have tried MiraLAX, Senacot, gummy fibers, magnesium, Amitiza, and Linzess.

The ONLY thing that works is called-Lactulose. It’s a syrup and I’ve been taking it for 4 months and it’s a miracle! Best wishes!

I’ve had chronic constipation for many years. I had a colonoscopy last November and my dr. Told me I have a tortuous colon. I had surgery in Jan. 2020 and my surgeon said “ my only advice is to do whatever it takes not to be constipated bc if I do I’d end up back in the hospital. I have tried MiraLAX, Senacot, gummy fibers, magnesium, Amitiza, and Linzess.

The ONLY thing that works is called-Lactulose. It’s a syrup and I’ve been taking it for 4 months and it’s a miracle! Best wishes!

Does anyone have tortuous colon and bouts of diverticulitis? Found out about the tortuous colon in Jan when the GI Dr couldn’t get the scope all the way. I’ve had two bouts since late Oct and then got c-dif from the antibiotics in early March. I’ve lost about 30lbs since Oct. I worry about getting diverticulitis again. Some days I’m spending all day in the bathroom, but not diarrhea, just going a lot with firmed stool, other days nothing. Having internal hemorrhoids doesn’t help things out either, and neither does my chronic anxiety. I don’t know what to eat anymore. I don’t know if I should be eating cooked cauliflower or broccoli, or just stick with bland vegetables like green beans. Those of you who take miralax, do you take the full capful or maybe just a teaspoon? I know I have driven my GI Dr and his office staff nuts already. But it seems that every day a new problem pops up and my anxiety has me going over the deep end. Thankfully I see a psychiatrist off and on and he has prescribed Ativan to take as needed such as when my mind really starts to race.

Does anyone have tortuous colon and bouts of diverticulitis? Found out about the tortuous colon in Jan when the GI Dr couldn’t get the scope all the way. I’ve had two bouts since late Oct and then got c-dif from the antibiotics in early March. I’ve lost about 30lbs since Oct. I worry about getting diverticulitis again. Some days I’m spending all day in the bathroom, but not diarrhea, just going a lot with firmed stool, other days nothing. Having internal hemorrhoids doesn’t help things out either, and neither does my chronic anxiety. I don’t know what to eat anymore. I don’t know if I should be eating cooked cauliflower or broccoli, or just stick with bland vegetables like green beans. Those of you who take miralax, do you take the full capful or maybe just a teaspoon? I know I have driven my GI Dr and his office staff nuts already. But it seems that every day a new problem pops up and my anxiety has me going over the deep end. Thankfully I see a psychiatrist off and on and he has prescribed Ativan to take as needed such as when my mind really starts to race.

Once back in September I paired daily miralax with daily fiber for 2-3 weeks and was able to shift to fiber only and it was gloriously successful for almost two weeks. Then the fiber starts to pile up inside and lose all its moisture by the time it gets to the "business end." Thanks for the suggestion.

@ashweb901 would daily Metamucil or generic psyllium fibre work for your constipation problem? I take psyllium fibre from a natural foods store every day and have eliminated my constipation problem (pun unintended),

That is EXACTLY right. "Ta-daaah." Then they're done. Getting them to move to the next level of digging for the underlying issue is a huge feat. My anorectal manometry and sitzmarker tests plus the 3 PT sessions to train my anal sphincter cost me $1500-$2k and I'm still severely constipated.

LONG FIBER VEGES IS THE KEY!

I haven't seen this suggestion in this thread. I've had problems with constipation since I was a kid, but heard the phrase "tortuous colon" for the first time when I turned 50 yrs. old and had my first colonoscopy. What works for me is vegetables with long fibers - especially celery (raw) and asparagus (lightly cooked). The asparagus is the best. I've made it a mainstay of my diet. I cook it different ways to keep it interesting, although lightly roasting it in a 375 degree oven for about 10-13 minutes (depending on thickness of the vegetable) works best for me. I season it with garlic and herbs. I also think kale has long fibers, but I haven't found a decent way to prepare that vege. Asparagus is a great vege and it provides lots of health benefits beyond the fiber - so it's a great addition to any diet. Also, like many have said here - lots of water all day long.

In my opinion, eating celery (great with lunch - add some carrots!) and asparagus is a natural way to help your colon move things along without completely changing your diet. I love food as much as the next person, but don't want to have a special diet that interferes with my life. I stay active (walking, hiking, strength training), drink a good amount of water and use "outside help" (i.e., laxatives) only when absolutely needed.

I have noticed...not so recently, most Dr.s, after they’ve done they’re “procedure”, given your findings, they are out of the picture. There is NO CONTINUITY in care anymore. I have done more research than I care to think about. Too many problems, too many solutions, too many topics! I thought that’s what Drs were for.