1. < Digestive Health

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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shayshay | @shayshay | Aug 23, 2020
In reply to @mel1987 "I was diagnosed in 2010 with tortuous colon which was discovered during a routine colonoscopy. I..." + (show)
@mel1987

I was diagnosed in 2010 with tortuous colon which was discovered during a routine colonoscopy. I have had very few problems until the beginning of 2019 when I began developing severe muscle spasms in my lower left abdomen and lower left back. I cannot think any other reason why these spasms would occur other than a result from the tortuous colon. I have also had severe constipation which I cannot find relief for. Has anyone else had anything similar happen?

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I was told I have a tortuous colon, and I have severe chronic constipation !

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2 replies
key | @key | Apr 17, 2020

I have just been diagnosed with Torturous descending and sigmoid colon. I have been experiencing abdominal pain for the last 30 years but after changing to a clean diet 5 years ago I no longer experience diarrhea.
6 months ago I started experiencing abdominal pain (feels like period cramps) with activity (walking, standing, chores). The pain is constant until I sit. If I don't sit, I get to the point where I almost pass out from the pain. I don't have any other symptoms other than pain but it limits my daily activities.
Have any of your experienced this kind of pain with movement? Also, what treatments are available that do not include long-term pain medication?

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giango87 | @giango87 | Apr 16, 2020
In reply to @amandaa "Hi @giango87 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Thank you for for providing the useful information..." + (show)
@amandaa

Hi @giango87 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Thank you for for providing the useful information about the seeds. How long ago were you diagnosed?

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Hi, about november last year, got a colonoscopy.

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mothercare1990 | @mothercare1990 | Apr 16, 2020
In reply to @amandaa "Good morning @mothercare1990 (Good evening since you are in Africa) and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect...." + (show)
@amandaa

Good morning @mothercare1990 (Good evening since you are in Africa) and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am so sorry to hear about your struggles after stapled hemorrhoid surgery. You came to the right place. There are several here that have been through similar obstacles including @gibssy174 @oceanone @virginia44 and @tiss. We members on Connect are not medical professionals and don't give medical advice, but can certainly share our experiences. It must be very difficult to travel so far to get medical care. Are you considering going through with the surgery again? Have they suggested any alternative solutions?

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Yes am back to Indian, I have done a lot of test and all that required.they said I need open surgery for external and internal hemorrhoids that is bleedind. And was surprised to here rectal mocusal prolapse. which they said all the procedure will be together.
Was better before I did the first surgery which I think was mistake from first surgeon and here nobody care about the health just business as usual. even when u asked question is horrible but am believing God that one will still have normal life and hoping the surgeon will be good this time.

Note Colonscopy:
EXTERNAL examination:large external hemorrhoid.
Colonscopy passed the caecum.
Scope withdraw and detailed evaluation of mocus done.
Tortus colon. No mucusal abnormality.
But scarrying from previous surgery noted in rectum.

MRI DEFECATION RESULTS.
Mild rectal mocusal prolapse with mimimal defecation.
While barium enema
Said mild colitis recto sigmoid which is normal in most cases.

I want to know if one can live a normal life after this. Surgery will be done after this whole virus problem.

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Amanda Burnett | @amandaa | Apr 16, 2020
In reply to @mothercare1990 "Good evening all .i did stapled hemorrhoid surgery in indian on January back to Africa started..." + (show)
@mothercare1990

Good evening all
.i did stapled hemorrhoid surgery in indian on January back to Africa started having serious bleeding and lump coming out.
Now back to Indian after serious of test MRI DEFECATION. COLONSCOPY.
NORMAL COLON WITH TORTUS COLON.
EXTERNAL BLEEDING HEMORRHOIDS, AND INTERNAL HEMORRHOID AGAIN AND RECTAL MOCUSAL PROLAPSE.
THAT I NEED SURGERY AGAIN LIFE HAS NOT REALLY BEEN EASY.
WHAT UR ADVICE AGAIN ON THIS M.

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Good morning @mothercare1990 (Good evening since you are in Africa) and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am so sorry to hear about your struggles after stapled hemorrhoid surgery. You came to the right place. There are several here that have been through similar obstacles including @gibssy174 @oceanone @virginia44 and @tiss. We members on Connect are not medical professionals and don't give medical advice, but can certainly share our experiences. It must be very difficult to travel so far to get medical care. Are you considering going through with the surgery again? Have they suggested any alternative solutions?

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1 reply
Amanda Burnett | @amandaa | Apr 16, 2020
In reply to @giango87 "Hello, i prefer with yogurt granola and fruit, but in smoothies i prefer to put it..." + (show)
@giango87

Hello, i prefer with yogurt granola and fruit, but in smoothies i prefer to put it at the end so it is not too grind....

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Hi @giango87 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Thank you for for providing the useful information about the seeds. How long ago were you diagnosed?

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1 reply
mothercare1990 | @mothercare1990 | Apr 16, 2020
In reply to @kanaazpereira "Hi @tracy430, It sounds like you’ve been through so much! I’m so glad you’ve joined this..." + (show)
@kanaazpereira

Hi @tracy430,

It sounds like you’ve been through so much! I’m so glad you’ve joined this group, and was wondering if you had an opportunity to view this Mayo Clinic Connect discussion:
– Ostomy: Adapting to life after colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/ostomy-adapting-to-life-after-colostomy-ileostomy-or-urostomy/
It’s an incredibly informative conversation, where fellow members have shared their experiences, insights and tips about life before and after ostomy.

Another Connect discussion that I would really encourage you to read through is, "Three months after colon surgery” https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/three-months-after-colon-surgery/ where you will meet @joyce1 @starrlight @sallyg @nannytart @travelgirl @swatson. I’d also like to bring in @maet @frane1939 @lamerex4 t see if they might be able to share more about colon resection and diverticulitis.

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Good evening all
.i did stapled hemorrhoid surgery in indian on January back to Africa started having serious bleeding and lump coming out.
Now back to Indian after serious of test MRI DEFECATION. COLONSCOPY.
NORMAL COLON WITH TORTUS COLON.
EXTERNAL BLEEDING HEMORRHOIDS, AND INTERNAL HEMORRHOID AGAIN AND RECTAL MOCUSAL PROLAPSE.
THAT I NEED SURGERY AGAIN LIFE HAS NOT REALLY BEEN EASY.
WHAT UR ADVICE AGAIN ON THIS M.

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1 reply
giango87 | @giango87 | Apr 12, 2020
In reply to @learningeveryday "Do you have to grind the seeds?" + (show)
@learningeveryday

Do you have to grind the seeds?

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Hello, i prefer with yogurt granola and fruit, but in smoothies i prefer to put it at the end so it is not too grind....

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1 reply
learningeveryday | @learningeveryday | Apr 11, 2020

Do you have to grind the seeds?

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1 reply
giango87 | @giango87 | Apr 11, 2020

Hi, im from Lima. Here the doctor gave me the same diagnosis and told me to do as follow: 1 tbsp of chia, 1 tbsp of flaxseed in the morning and the same at night, you can do it in smoothies with yogurt, etc. I'd been contipation free from that day.

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