Redundant/Tortuous Colon & Severe Constipation

I had bowel resection but don't recommend it unless you become completely blocked.

Welcome, @jboe. You're not alone in having to manage constipation with a redundant colon. I moved your post to this existing discussion:
- Redundant/Tortuous Colon & Severe Constipation: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/redundanttortuous-colon-severe-constipation/

I did this so you can read previous posts and connect with other members more easily.

What have you tried so far to deal with constipation?

It’s becoming a full time job dealing with a long and torturous colon ( redundant ).
Lifelong constipation, now age 73 it’s getting me down.
I saw a specialist yesterday and he suggested a combination of laxatives with occasional suppositories.
The laxatives of which I have tried many work for a few weeks and then stop 🤷‍♀️
I think the only way would be to cut a length of it out , but he said that’s a bit dramatic, we should try something that may work for me ???
I too think that it aggravates my backache, and bloating is like being pregnant!!!!!🥹🥹
I wish I had the answer……
Good luck everyone…

I am 72 with the same problems for years. About 8 years ago my then doctor recommended that 14" of colon be removed and I had it removed. I was left with continued severe constipation and ultimately became enema dependent. I read on this site how a woman was experiencing with the same issues until she found OTC Prunelax. I purchased it from Amazon and have been using it daily. For me, 2 and 1/4tablets work combined with 1/2 ducolax. I had to cxperiment to find the right dosage for me. Good luck.

So, many more expensive products contain Magnesium Oxide. I just take the vitamin form of Magnesium Oxide, works for me and costs much less. I do also follow a vegan diet and gluten-free diet. The only gluten-free thing I eat is homemade gluten-free pumpkin muffins. I eat no bread or flour products except I use Wasa crackers to put my black bean burger on for lunch.

Prunelax (OTC) is good for constipation and not as expensive as Trulance or Linzess!
Then ordering it from Amazon and not getting it at CVS or Walgreens is even cheaper !!!

Kjn72.
Do you know if the wavy part of the colon was removed ?
I don’t understand why it wouldn’t alleviate the passage and speed of food ?
Regards
Sheila

I supposedly have a severely redundant colon (just a nicer way to say it) and have had constipation for a good long time. Lately (I am 68), I have found that meat slows transit time, which leads to constipation, so I just eat fish (not much), egg whites, pea protein powder, and Lactaid nonfat milk as protein sources as I am intolerant to a legion of other protein sources (as well as FODMAP intolerant and grain intolerant). I add Bragg apple cider vinegar to each meal (the regular vinegar) or one can take the Bragg pill form. I find that helps with my redundant colon constipation. If you don't have enough stomach acid, your system can't prepare the food material to "move along." It has been a game changer. In addition, I don't eat regular-sized meals, but may six smaller ones, depending on my appetite. I also use mineral oil as my laxative. I find that, as a "mere" lubricant, it works better (and gentler) than the OTC softeners and stimulants. I take it at bedtime, away from food (supposed to do that as the oil can interfere with vitamin/mineral absorption from food otherwise). I don't need it often as the apple cider vinegar prevents constipation (via better digestion). I also notice that I tend toward constipation if I don't get adequate sleep. Rest to digest, perhaps. I hope you get some mileage out of these ideas, which I note one seldom, if ever, hears from MDs.

I just turned 73 in July and have had severe constipation for years.Had numerous colonoscopies for polyps and nothing helps then constipation. Going to try prunelax because I do not want to do linzess....hope it works ..hoping we all stay healthy

Hi Sheila, why didn't it work, unclear. Perhaps scar tissue formation, other issues,
it just did not work