Anyone else have a Redundant / Tortuous Colon?

Excellent post, Jacque. I agree 100% . Too many doctors slough this condition off as "no big deal" or "nothing to worry about". If you are very lucky , you will find a doctor that is actually helpful, and takes the time to help you find a solution.......even a partial one. I even had one GI Dr. suggest having my colon removed. Insanity. Everyone is different and what works for one will not work for all, (Miralax does nothing for me) so I keep trying different things in order to live a "normal" life. Right now that consists of Linzess, senna, prune juice, and coconut oil ,VERY early in the morning. Senna and colace at bedtime. Once it starts working, it takes several hours or longer before I can leave the house. Sometimes not until noon. jacque, if you don't mind me asking ...when do you take the prunelax and is that all you are taking ?

I thought same. Gi only told me no fiber supplements. Dietician said high fiber and fibrous foods are difficult to digest so tend to move slowly and get caught up in kinks and loops. I’ve found I do feel less “packed”. However, still having problem getting things to move. Mineral oil does help but not sure about using it frequently. I’m trying to avoid using Motegrity as I have to
go on SS at the end of year and too expensive. So I’m experimenting to find alternatives before then. Have a virtual visit with dietician in morning, so hoping for more advice from her.

@hello1234 - Thinking it over, I think my problem was that because of osteoporosis and concern about heart disease, I have very little salt in my now mostly entirely home cooked plant diet. Plus I took the 1 - Senna S per day she recommended PLUS Miralax in addition. I hadn't even reached the 2 liter/day of water that she recommended.

Currently my doctor suggests I not use Miralax at all and up to 2 Senna-S and 2 - 100 mg docusate sodium stool softeners per day, as needed. I'm experimenting with just the stool softeners to see how it goes.
Do you you know what contributed to your need for your saline iv?

Well I’m another you can add to your list…my colon, I’m quoting from colonoscopy from 2018;
The colonoscopy was technically difficult and complex due to restricted mobility of colon, a redundant colon, significant looping & tortuous colon. Many
small & large mouthed diverticula found in sigmoid, descending & transverse colon. And of course, let’s not forget hemorrhoids (internal)…what am I supposed to do with all this info? They diagnose but don’t give any treatment, except “avoid constipation”.
Also, come back for another colonoscopy in 5 years..which I did, with the same results

H @notmoff
Yes. Unfortunately, I do know exactly what contributed to my low sodium blood test. My doctor was taking monthly blood tests to track my creatinine level as I started to go into kidney failure. I discovered that hydration helped the creatinine level result, so I made sure to be well hydrated before the blood test. Unfortunately, because I was scared to death of a kidney failure result at 59 years old, I drank too much water over a 5 day period. My doctor sent me to the ER for saline IVs after reading my blood test results. I didn't know if you drink too much water you can end up in the hospital! It was a definite learning experience on the importance of moderation in all things. Fast forward, I am now a new successful kidney transplant recepient and doing wonderfully! ❤
Bottom line, don't overdo the water and don't overdo the no salt diet. Your body needs sodium to function properly, including your heart. (Just don't add a lot of unnecessary salt to your cooking). That's the lesson I learned in the hospital during the saline IV treatments. 😊

@hello1234 - So glad to hear you got your successful kidney transplant and all is well!
Thank you for the good
advice about not overdoing water and salt intake. With my taste for salt now replaced by homemade citrusy sauces, my concern is that any salt feels like too much. Time to re-calibrate and balance it against the osteoporosis issue.
The World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and American Heart Association all recommend keeping sodium under 2,300 milligrams (mg) per day. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) suggests aiming for about 1,500 mg per day.

Excellent information @notmoff regarding the daily salt intake recommendations! 😊 Your homemade sauces sound delicious on chicken and fish. Regarding your osteoporosis, have you started taking a medication or are you attempting to turn things around with diet and exercise only? After years of kidney disease, I also have osteoporosis. I am thinking about starting Prolia, but I am not excited as about the possible side effects.

Sorry to hear you have osteoporosis also.
I decided on diet and exercise instead of bisphosphonates because I understood they decrease bone resorption (?) but not fractures. My choice may be why I had a recent worsening of a spinal compression fracture that generated my internist's suggestion to start using senna and docusate regularly.
Diet change involved my reducing salt intake, increasing calcium through supplements and more greens, then less meat and now NO meat or dairy. So my non-salty sauces based on citrus and vinegar are used with sweet potatoes, lentils and other beans.
I understand your hesitancy about Prolia. These are difficult choices.

Hi @notmoff 😊
Did your internist say NO dairy? I eat dairy every day with all my meals in hope of reaching my daily intake of calcium for my osteoporosis. I heard it's better for us to reach our calcium goal with food rather than taking supplements Why no meat and no dairy? Your diet with lentils, sweet potatoes, greens sounds very healthy, but I curious about all the restrictions.