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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dedhambeth | @dedhambeth | 6 hours ago
In reply to @researchmaven "@dedhambeth - Slippery elm inner bark works best for me with every meal. It can be..." + (show)
@researchmaven

@dedhambeth - Slippery elm inner bark works best for me with every meal. It can be in homemade food (bread, hot cereal, cocoa, etc.), added to suitable commercial food (instant oatmeal) or dissolved in hot water. I started taking it with my morning meal, then thought about it, and tried using it with every meal (4- or smaller meals a day).

It definitely works better with every meal. I have an incredibly sensitive gut, so 1/8 teaspoon with a meal. When I was taking it once a day in the morning, I took 1/2 teaspoon. If I can't add it to my food, I put in in a hot liquid.

For me, it seems to work by softening and providing slip best for the meal I take it with. So it does make a world of difference for me when I take it with each meal.

(I think there are slipperly elm bark "chunks" (outer and inner bark) that could be steeped normally like any tea. If so, that may be best for a meal in the work environment.)

Since school teachers are on holiday now or soon, it is a good time to experiment to find a dose that works.

Whether it creates an urgent need to toilet, that may depend on the dose. I find that with my optional dose of 1/8 with a meal.

I am currently checking to see if 1/8 a teaspoon with a meal, when it is a six-meal day, is still the right dose. Maybe taking it four or five times a day is my limit, with a sixth 1/8 teaspoon dose too much.

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Thank you so much!!

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