Redundant/Tortuous Colon & Severe Constipation

I’m really glad the Miralax works for you. I will have to check out the ZenWise. I think we just need to find what works for us and stick with it. I have really increased my exercise too. I think that helps. Good luck with your journey! I will keep on with mine too!

Thank you for this. I, too, have lifelong constipation which is now mostly managed successfully with 600-900 mg Magnesium Citrate daily and a probiotic (either Inner-Eco or Zenwise, which I learned about from a member on this site). I have a known "severely" tortuous colon and imagine my evacuation rate is very slow, though I've never done the smart pill. I have two questions for you. One, gluten. I confess I have never done the full gluten-free diet because so many people told me it was a fad and that unless you have celiac it's not a likely culprit. Your report makes me wonder if it's worth trying. Two, have you suffered back pain/joint instability? I feel my hypermobile joints - and in particular my Sacroiliac Joint dysfunction - is directly linked to my large/stressed out/tortuous colon. My GI doc doesn't seem to think they'd be related, but I wonder, anecdotally if others have this experience. My 21 year old daughter seems to have a similar set of symptoms (constipation/SI dysfunction). We do not have IBS. Thanks!

Miralax makes me extremely sick. I also have no gallbladder and ask to get labs to check enzyme levels, test amylace and lipase and do a fecal fat test on my stool but nope, they just think surgery. I have 4 pancreatic cysts that are watched yearly with an mri and report always states backed up bile ducts. Thanks for your response..Joanne

Hi,
I had a lot of joint pain before I changed my diet. It seemed like the pain moved around my body at times. I know a gluten free diet seems extreme to a lot of people but for me it’s not a fad. Trust me, I would love to eat the gluten. It’s sooo much easier! I think a low sugar is just as important for inflammation in the body. I am 62 years old, 5’4” and found out I have Osteoporosis this year. I only have occasional back and hand pain in the morning when I wake up then no pain after that. I am so afraid to take the medicine ( Evenity) because it says it can cause severe joint pain and a whole load of other scary symptoms. I try to exercise six days a week now and eat more protein. It’s becoming a full time just just staying healthy. I do believe the gut is the key to our health so I really strive for a healthy gut. I hope you figure out your joint pain issue as I know it can be a worry. I just had to do what seemed to help me. I feel better than I did 7 years ago. Low levels of Vitamin D3 is also linked to joint pain so make sure your D3 is in a good range ( around 50) That was huge for me. I have all of my daughters taking a multivitamin with D3. They tend not to get all of their vitamins from what they eat. They said they feel much better. It seems the younger generation is getting symptoms sooner than we did. Good luck with everything!

Wow, I used to have a lot of problems with Miralax until I started taking Cholacol, which I think anyone missing a gallbladder should be taking, and the Zenwise. It was amazing. I went from feeling awful .foe years to feeling great all within 24 hours. Everyone is different and I am sure not everyone will have my success, but I wish you well.

I noticed this discussion and wanted to comment. A friend of mine, at about age 20, suddenly had a big problem with constipation. Between 20 & 35, she suffered with it terribly to the point that she hated to eat. She went to so many doctors for help. Finally one of the big NYC medical centers, had her defecate, after taking barium, while filming the process. As embarrassing as it was, she had been suffering so long, she was ready to try anything. They found a small section of her bowel didn’t do anything to move the stool along. After surgery to remove that section, she never had a problem again. That was around 25 years ago. Hope this story helps someone.

I’m so sorry you are having trouble finding the right answers. I have diverticulosis and now after a most embarrassing enema X-ray I was told I also have a redundant colon. I have worked hard to find what works for me. Fill a pitcher with 64oz of water to make sure I get my water in. Miralax every morning! My savior. Too much fiber does not work for me. I’m 70, walk, general easy yoga routine, tummy digestive rubs taught to me by PT therapist, do PT when things are flared as I also get back pain when my colon is unhappy. I’m learning on my own what I can and cannot eat and quit tryin to convince the drs that fiber is not helpful. I do lots of berries that I digest really well. My sigmoid colon has narrowed. Now they want to remove the diseased section. I pretty much gave constant left side pain. I hope you can get some relief. Digestive challenges can be so individual with no one size fits all fix.

I have the SI problem which showed up after a diagnoses of redundant colon.
Never had either before age 69. I know that it is all related. I suspect it is autoimmune. I do not have any solutions. If you find one, please let me know.

Does anyone know if Dulcolax Stimulant (Bisacodyl) can be taken long term? I take it a few times a week, and also take Miralax at night. This seems to work for me. I have seen a lot of suspicion/concern around L/T use of stimulants but nothing scientific to say it's not ok. Thx all!

How do you deal with redundant colon/ severe constipation?