Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?

Hello! I was searching about my twisted large intestine. Went to the doc today and she read it off my chart. I notice no matter the diet it’s still painful.

Do you have constant pain? Mine gets so intense. I end up nauseated. Most of my bend is near the end of the colon.

I have a redundant colon. I am "at risk" for colon cancer so colonoscopies have been frequent, but often required a barium enema to complete because the scope could not make it all the way. The last two times, the doctor used a pediatric scope, but it must have still been difficult because he has told me "no more." I'm 82 and have not had polyps the last couple of times, so hopefully I will be ok. I worry about a blockage or something, but no doctor has seemed concerned. I have had periods of constipation, but also periods of being very regular, like now. I don't have pain in my colon that I recognize - but a lot of indigestion - not sure the reason. I also have a lot of gas - probably SIBO. I also have functional reflux and a hiatal hernia. Digestive issues are "a pain."

No, not constant pain but before I started the Prunelax, and trying everything, I would go for days without elimination and then I would have heartburn, and I would swell up and not be able to hold my stomach in, like I normally do without any problem. I would feel nauseated also. I'm not sure how my colon is configured but I know that it is tortuous. I run the risk of tearing it or puncturing it during a colonoscopy. Which I have decided that because of this risk and how hard it is on me afterward, I'm not going to have any more. There are other procedures apparently that can be done that i wouldn't be at such high risk of further damage to myself.

My doc has just told me I may have redundant colon/ ibs. Have suffered from chronic constipation all my life. I’m a 51 year old female. A year ago got pain in lower right part of abdominal. It’s been there since. Did colonoscopy but he could only do half of it due to constipation. Said he didn’t think any sinister. In the past few weeks I have nausea/ bloating/ excessive gas/ bloating. Feel really down. Have to take laxatives to go. I’m vegetarian and generally eat well. Had covid in September do haven’t been exercising like I was. I’m desperate to help myself as doctors keep downplaying it. Any ideas to get my bowel moving ... it’s sluggish and doc says it’s slow transit time . Thanks

Have you tried Prune-Lax? Worked well for me and several others on this site. OTC from Amazon. Two different strengths.

So, 4 weeks ago I we r to a new GI doctor because I wasn't happy and wanted a new opinion. He put me on Motegrity. My previous Dr. Tried everything but and I had never heard if it even on this site. It has me having bowel,movements I haven't seen in 5 years. Talk to your Dr. About it. It' has only been out for 3 years.

I also have a redundant colon and the only thing that helps me is Lactulose. It’s a prescription syrup and it’s amazing! I have tried everything thing else including Linzess and Amitiza. I also have several u tube channels that have digestion massages you can do yourself. I hope this helps, it’s a challenge!

Hi there
@milly12 and a happy welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am sorry to hear about all your trouble with chronic constipation and pain. You will see that I added your post to a redundant tortured colon discussion so that you can connect with people like @euqcaj, @clutch, and @thellman

Did your doctor recommend any medication or supplements?

I just joined Mayo connect. Knowing I am not alone has helped my emotional state immensely. Thank you all for sharing those things in your life that are not pretty but are our reality.
I have a redundant colon. I never heard of “torturous” but that really describes it well. I have suffered with constipation all my life. In my late 20’s, I had emergency volvulus surgery. It was a complete strangulation of my colon. The emergency room doctor on call performed surgery and “flipped it back”. I’m not kidding, that’s what he said. No resection or repair of any kind. But that was 1980, so maybe that was the best they could do. Honestly, I was afraid to move my abdomen in fear I would “flip” it again. So, I continued my life with chronic gas and constipation.
Due to symptoms, I had my first colonoscopy at age 35 and was diagnosed with redundant colon. To complicate things, I’ve had three abdominal surgeries: volvulus, hysterectomy, and bladder lift (the bladder lift was probably due to straining bowel movements all my life) that left me with adhesions. I believe the adhesions have contributed to my present condition – very severe constipation.
I moved to Florida last year, got a new gastroenterologist (scary), and she thinks I have a partial blockage and am currently undergoing testing (CT scan, humiliating fecal testing, etc). Surgery would be a last resort for me. That would only create more adhesions and may not help my condition. I’m on Mirilax, Benefiber, Senokot, Align, and I drink Smooth Move tea.
I’m almost afraid to eat and have lost 13 pounds in the past two months. I keep taking the laxatives and hoping for the best. My life has changed so much. I’m either uncomfortable with constipation or bound to the house with laxative-induced diarrhea.
But I feel better knowing I am not alone in this.