Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?

I recently had colon resection for diverticulitis. Since then, I have no urge to have a bowel movement unless I take Linzess and Milk of Magnesia. My surgeon disregards my concerns and I'm terrified that if these things stop working, I'm going to end up in the ER. I've lost a lot of weight and I didn't have a lot to lose. I drink a lot of water. I try adding more fruits and vegetables. Nothing works. I have zero motility. At times I'll get bloated to the point that I don't want to eat and need to take Gas-X, but honestly, this is no way to live. This surgery was supposed to "give me my life back". It hasn't.

Oops, I meant to post this reply to the explanation of the torturous vs redundant colon above. I don’t know how to move it, please forgive me for any confusion this caused.

Hello,

Most of what you said is right but I have one little correction to clarify things (based on what my GI doctor told me).

I have a torturous colon and was told that it means that my colon has many more bends/turns in it than a “normal” colon. A redundant colon has many more loops. Both of these are the result of the body packing a longer tube than normal into the space a “normal” colon would fit.

Twisting of the colon in either condition is a medical emergency, whereas I can live with a torturous colon everyday (although I wish I didn’t have to because mine is symptomatic).

Also in reply to the op, I have not had surgery yet, although I eagerly would if my finances were better. I have tried so many things to relieve pain, discomfort, and distention; including starting from an extremely simple diet recommended by my GI and slowly adding different foods to find my triggers. We’ve added fiber, removed fiber. Greatly increased my water intake, when it started off better than normal. Plus a laundry list of medicines. The only progress we’ve made is to give me horrible diarrhea when the pressure in my abdomen becomes too great (I’ve suffered from chronic constipation my whole life). My GI worries I may have a rupture too but until my circumstance change, we do what we can. I don’t know if that helps but if I were you, I would get a second opinion from another surgeon (although if you’ve never had abdominal surgery, just be aware that hernias may become another problem you may have to deal with after).

Well wish & good luck.

@lesliedenny I have experienced similar symptoms like yours for years with no diagnoses. After days of constipations, I pass out and when I regain consciousness I am drenched in cold sweats and the worse part is that I know that I am about to pass out! I dread these attacks. I have been on high fibre diet, drink a more of water, more than 8x8oz water every day and follow vegetarian diet. I wish there was some treatment to end this suffering!

Hello @ceclark41,

I appreciate your posting about the different products and methods that you have used to help you with constipation and incontinence. I was especially interested in your discussion on the value of pelvic floor therapy.

I would appreciate a little more information about pelvic floor therapy. Would you be able to share a little about the exercises that helped you? Were they breathing exercises or perhaps stretching exercises?

This year in May, as an older woman with non-cardiac chest pain and constipation problems, I started a new journey to rule out acute liver problems and to treat constipation. With a gastroenterology referral, after EGD and colon scopes, the group decided that the non-cardiac chest pain was probably a bile duct blockage and that the constipation and fecal incontinence would improve with pelvic floor physical therapy. Adding Psyillium in capsules, and re-starting yogurt has improved my health as well as exercises and new ways of managing incontinence of the urinary tract system as well as fecal incontinence. Keeping up the exercise routine is difficult for me, especially with our 2020 pandemic limiting my usual recreational exercises.I do recommend pelvic floor therapy for us older folks with less exercise than ever before. Hoping for a safe effective anti-Covid-19 vaccine soon.

Hi, I suffered with redundant colon severe and horrible colonic inertia (meaning I did NOT GO POOP) for 2 years. Did all Testing. Ps. Get Sitz Marker Test done... I was scheduled for total colon and large intestine removal. Went on a product called FUNGAS CLEAR. Amazingly, I am going to POOP everyday... Give it a try. Sold, on amazon.

@lesliedenny I have experienced similar symptoms like yours for years with no diagnoses. After days of constipations, I pass out and when I regain consciousness I am drenched in cold sweats and the worse part is that I know that I am about to pass out! I dread these attacks. I have been on high fibre diet, drink a more of water, more than 8x8oz water every day and follow vegetarian diet. I wish there was some treatment to end this suffering!

I was just diagnosed after a painful colonoscopy. Unfortunately, the doctor didn’t stop to talk aboutit so I am doing my own research. For the last several years, since my last coloscopy, I have had episodes where I cannot relieve myself then it feels like I am going to pass out, followed by a drop in blood pressure with cold sweats. These episodes take up to 30 minutes to finish and I have to lie down afterward. I am wondering if they are related. I certainly appreciate everyone’s experience and input.