Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?

I had the leaky gut and the MRT ($500 blood test for food intolerances) about 2 years ago..and worked with a nutritionist for about 6 months.. it wasn't exactly right for me.. I had an antiphallic reaction to her Vitamin D drops (which she didn't know could happen..I called the company and they said "yes!! stop them" and I told her so she could inform others).. There's a way to tell if you're having an allergic reaction..I was told by a nurse.. get one of those things they put on your finger (for pulse..??) and if it goes up then it's started..(I live very rural and keep an epipen)..Also have you been tested for Alpha Gal.. we have alot of that around here.. from a tick bite.. and you can never eat anything that "has fur" on it again.. beef, milk.. etc.. it's a simple blood test... (also did you know gluten can be found in lipstick and some makeup and hair products?.. The leaky gut is a tough thing to cope with.. bless your heart..I'll pray for you!!

I have it! I barely go anywhere!! Just dignosed..I use biscadyls (3) sometimes several time a week.. every few days to prevent a blockage.. have tried Linzess,.Amtisa, IBSrela and now Trulance..Miralax.. to no avail.. drink lots of water and watch diet.. but still have to take the biscadyls.. and they make me sick and about 8-12 hours I go and go and go..I do not like ER!! Am waiting on my GI to send me to a surgeon to do a bowel resection..I hope this helps you!! prayers coming your way!!

Woops!! Correction to the above..I was wrong.. The finger thing to the nurse said to use to see about an allergic reaction is a Finger Pulse Oximeter (can buy on Amazon for about $10) and she said the normal number was 92 and if it goes DOWN..you're beginning to have an allergic reaction.. it won't detect intolerances.. allergies and intolerances are 2 different things..

Try this it works for me , a spoonful every morning.

I’ve had 73 years of constipation caused by the redundant ( tortuous colon ). At long last I have relief.
I would love to have the colon cut and take out a chunk to enable the remainder to sit comfortably in its allocated space . However I think there are risks to the op.
My worry is that if I become old and senile 🤔 no one else will be able to manage my bowels like me !!!!
I read that someone elderly in a home in those kind of circumstances actually dieffenbachia a blocked bowel ☹️ it’s a worry 🤷‍♀️

Died of a blockage in the bowel. That what I meant to write above… predictive took over …

I also have this just had a Colonoscopy on Monday after my surgery one year ago. I had a blockage on the left side and could not have a bowel movement. I had stool and blood coming out of my urethra. I went to two different emergency departments for help. Five months later I had surgery to have the left side removed and also had a fistula attached. I also had a fistula attached to my bladder.
I have blood spotting still from my bladder and produce air bubbles. I am seeing a kidney doctor and a urologist and had a scope and she could see the bubbles which is not normal. I also received a new rectum from the large colon.

Now I am waiting the two weeks to see if something is wrong with my stomach and the large colon is doing the same thing. I feel like here we go again.

Mine collapsed on the left side and had blood and fecal coming out of my urethra. I did have surgery and had a lot of it removed and a fistula. So if that happens go to the emergency room. I still have the problem on the right side so it will probably happen again.

Hi Margaret Smith,

My understanding is a redundant colon is a colon that is too long and sags. A torturous colon is a colon that is too long but twists on itself, like a garden hose. The former is easier to accommodate than the latter.

Remember, what works for one may or may not work for another person. Good luck!

Hi Leslie Jones

Disclaimer: This is only my experience going natural. I have used organic, integrative, functional, holistic Naturopathic doctor's advice along with my MD’s since the early 1980's. There is science in alternatives too. Because I work closely with my ND, he told me to study the Migrating Motor Complex and Osmotic Gradient and he bet that I would find what worked for me. How to keep a longer than normal pipe with consistent moisture…. My ND also said because my condition was physical, attention would be needed from now.
I tried laxatives and they are not consistent and have side effects like bloating, etc. All say for occasional use. They disrupt the system if take continuously. I liked a response from a co-redundant colon person: “It’s physical” so regular constipation suggestions may not work. (for me psyllium made me constipated) Don’t give up because it took me 4 months to feel I could depend on being regular. It is worth going natural. Trial and error with observation and keeping notes has worked for me.
Last Dec the doc had me do non sedated colonoscopy. He could get through my colon as I watched on TV. I had had a baby years ago (natural and so could stand pain) I figured I could stand it – it was no big deal. Most people in world don't get put out. Very interesting and it helped allow the scope to get through easier because I relaxed. No wonder I had been constipation on and off starting in my teens. I’m now in my early 70’s.
OptiMag and K2+ Potassium are great supps. I take them when I go to bed and once when I get up to pee. I include prunes/prune juice, winter squash, sweet potatoes, rhubarb etc in my diet. I eat cups of steamed vegetables each day. I like to grind 2T chia, 1 T sesame seeds and 2 T flax seeds, then soak in prune juice overnight. I add a T of carob now since it can help regularity. Take half in the morning and half at night. Throw sugar out of your life along with processed and refined foods. Look up foods and drinks that constipate and give them up. Drink lot of water starting with a quart of hot water in the morning - boy scouts. I use warmed up diluted chicken broth at times too. It is soothing to my stomach. Coffee and Smooth Move are my back ups. I don't like coffee and never have drunk it much but it usually works for me in a pinch. Thankfully I only need coffee a few times a month.
Check out helpful research of biological processes that take place in our gut:
- Migrating Motor complex which is the electroactivity in the GI tract during meals and fasting
- Osmotic gradient. If too much water is pulled into the colon, diarrhea results. If not enough water is pulled into the colon constipation results. Balance of minerals is important. Magnesium, potassium and sodium brings water into the colon. I have found balancing these by taking them in the middle of the night too help prevent constipation. I have to watch my calcium intake because it tends to encourage constipation. Calcium carbonate seems to be the most constipating. I depend on blood work from time to time to make sure my minerals are balanced.
Ask your friends if they know of an Integrative or Naturopathic doctor and give them a chance to share new ideas! You can become regular too, it is great but takes some testing and continued action.
Good luck and blessings, @farmersmith