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Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?
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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Hi there-is it Miralax you're using?
Yes I have tried both, thank you. I was surprised that the hulless popcorn I purchased was not really hulless, just smaller pieces.... Im much happier healthy and just take pretzels to the movie. It's worth it. If you try the 2 teaspoons of metamucil (I forgot to mention the product in previous post) give it a week of doing before your system gets accustomed to it. Constipation is not a good condition. It ruins your colon in my opinion. Hope this helps.
Bummer. But a small price to pay to stay out of the hospital, not to mention the other issues that go along with being sick. Have you tried hulless popcorn, either already popped in a bag or as an ear of popcorn that you put in a brown paper bag and microwave it?
I have diverticulosis and redunant toruous colon. I take 2 heaping teaspoons in 2 glasses of water before going to bed at night, have small bowl of raisin bran with skim milk in the morning and it keeps my digestive track good. I have not been back to the hospital in over 2 years now. I never eat popcorn. sob,sob. Ive learned 3 times it caused diverticulitis infection and sent me to hospital.
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1 ReactionI've had a tortuous colon for most of my life and the pain isn't as severe now that I'm getting older, but I remember a doctor telling me when I was in my 20's that my body would eliminate when it was ready and that constipation can sometimes be painful... Some of the pain was bad enough I had to use Lamaze breathing to help overcome the excrutiating pain. This was all before even having a colonoscopy and being told what the diagnosis was 35 years later. I don't have the pain so much anymore though with the fibromyalgia and arthritis pain that I have, I think the meds I'm on may cause constipation and others may be masking some of the pain. Pelvic dysfunction and hemoroids add to the problems. I've used stool softeners and fiber supplements and finally I told my gastro that I had no idea what regular is... His response was that the habits of a baby (eat then poop - eat then poop) should be our goal to replicate without straining. I've always been constipated and often only eliminated a couple times a week and when on vacation, once per week, so thinking this was somewhat normal for everyone, at 60 I'm trying to get this figured out.
I'm currently on WW to improve my overall health with wholesome foods and recipes, and I drink 80 oz's of water everyday in addition to a soda and a cup of coffee. Currently, I'm using psyllium husk as a fiber supplement.
I'm not a medical professional, though I hope something from this information can help someone else with the same condition.
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2 ReactionsThank you for your feedback. I have made an appointment with my gastroenterologist to hopefully get a colonoscopy scheduled.
Hope this works for you but you should see a gastro to keep on top of your condition.
Drink lots of water daily and keep hydrated with fiber on normal diet and I stay quite well. I have a glass of wine or beer often with no problems. If symptoms start I am strict on cutting out foods and going to diet as mentioned and no alcohol.
Pain usually starts in lower left abdomen. Now that I know the feeling, as soon as it begins discomfort in that area I start all liquid diet and water to the extreme. Sometimes I will eat soft foods and creamed type soups and if there is no pain I keep it up until the discomfort ends. They say not to eat fiber during an attack but I do take metamucil as I feel it gels with water softly and travels through my colon "picking" up problem seeds or kernels left in my pockets and pulls them through. I usually can get through without lots of pain and keep my diet clean for a day and then go back to normal as long as I am not constipated. If I do not heed the warning the pain gets worse and a temperature starts. Then I usually know it will get bad fast.
I have suspected for a while that diverticulitis may be partly responsible for the symptoms I have been having. When you experience a diverticulitis attack what are your main symptoms? It has been 10 years since my last colonoscopy but I know I need to call my gastroenterologist to get to the bottom of what is going on.