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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tiss | @tiss | Mar 9, 2019

I would get many more opinions before you have your colon removed. Mine was am emergency so I had 18" removed. It's been a very hard recovery and I am 2 1/2 years out.

Keith Moon | @jcarndt | Mar 12, 2019

I have Crohn's disease and a redundant/tortuous colon. I have had two bowel resections, one in 2007 and again in 2015, but constipation was never a problem for me until after the second surgery. I've had the Crohn's disease for many years, but did not even know about the redundant colon until a few years ago. I was reading the report after one of many colonoscopies, and saw those words for the first time. I asked the doctor about it, and he said it was nothing to be concerned about. But I am concerned about it. After about three minutes of research, I realized that there was a direct connection between my redundant colon, and my daily battle with constipation and bloating. I go back and forth between trying to get my bowels moving, and spending the whole next day in the bathroom. Sometimes I feel as though there is a lot of trapped gas in the kinks and loops. The doctors haven't offered much advice on any of this. When I asked if the redundant colon was the cause of the chronic constipation, the answer was "maybe".........
Anyway, I accidentally landed here while once again searching for ways to manage this situation, or at least make it a bit more tolerable. The posts I have read here today have been very helpful. I think I will give the Sennokot a try, because my daily Miralax just isn't doing the job, and I don't even want to think about Milk of Magnesia anymore. It sounds like I need to get more fiber as well. But I'm a little concerned about getting too much because of the Crohns. All I have to do is eat a bowl of oatmeal or a banana, and I'm all jammed up. If any of you have Crohn's and redundant colon, I'm open to any ideas. Or even if you don't have Crohn's. I'm also wondering if there are any exercises that would help.

robinbeth6 | @robinbeth6 | Mar 13, 2019

Hi!
What are your symptoms?

Keith Moon | @jcarndt | Mar 13, 2019

In reply to @robinbeth6 "Hi! What are your symptoms?" + (show)

Hi,
Well right now my main symptoms are constipation, bloating and nausea.
And an almost constant feeling of fatigue. The usual joint pains and some gut pain, but nothing too horrible

robinbeth6 | @robinbeth6 | Mar 13, 2019

In reply to @jcarndt "Hi, Well right now my main symptoms are constipation, bloating and nausea. And an almost constant..." + (show)

Thank you

personalhell | @personalhell | Mar 19, 2019

In reply to @jcarndt "I have Crohn's disease and a redundant/tortuous colon. I have had two bowel resections, one in..." + (show)

@jcarndt

personalhell | @personalhell | Mar 19, 2019

In reply to @personalhell "@jcarndt" + (show)

@jcarndt I too have severe tortuous colon. I would like them to explain to me how if they can barely get the camera through that the stool isn't causing all this pain when I'm trying to have a bowel movement they're telling me I'm supposed to just feel no discomfort yeah right. I started taking those pills that I showed you I got them on eBay for like 11 bucks or something 18 bucks and I came in like 2 days but I was taking them a long time and I stopped taking them for a while cuz I was going so good and sure enough I ended up even worse I'm drinking half bottles what do you call it castor oil that was like the only thing that would break it down is the castor oil and an enema if I was lucky that would work.one time it didn't and I had to go in and I had a completely impacted colon. but those things I would take them in the morning unless you prefer to go to the bathroom in the morning if you prefer morning take them at night. I know I don't like to do it in the morning because that means I have to sit around and wait for my belly to stop acting up before I can leave. I sent you a picture of the stuff I take and like I said you can get it on eBay or Amazon just Google search it for eBay it's very cheap comes very fast Works excellent I'm I started with 2 in the morning and 2 at night and I now take one at 9 or 1 in the morning so I go at night but they work Wonderful, just get a SERIOUS cramp then screamin when the stool is moving through my colon I have scars I have three scars that meet together right above my hairline and that is where the pain if they won't go in and tried to get out the adhesion that are wrapped around my colon. I hope I was of some help I swear by those magnesium sulfate I would not try any other brand ever. Not a single drop of castor oil LOL