Treatment options for redundant colon?

[lizzie416]

I am a 56-year old woman and have had problems with constipation since I was a child. I have been addicted to laxatives on-and-off.  Several years ago I developed intermittent lower abdominal pain, but now it's every day in varying degrees. At one doctor's recommendation, I drastically changed my diet, eliminating gluten, dairy and coffee, with no improvement. I seem to do better without starches/sugars. I've also had to change my wardrobe - I can't wear anything that is remotely tight on my stomach and often have to leave my low-cut pants unfastened. I take Miralax every day and supplement with MOM as needed. I've also found a wonderful herbal product to help with the gas that gets trapped in the "curves."
My first colonoscopy could not be completed and was followed by a barium xray; there were no polyps or masses. After a second colonoscopy under anesthesia I was told I had IBS and sent home with pills that didn't work! It wasn't until I asked for a copy of the procedure report that I saw the term "redundant colon."
I have been able to find little information about this diagnosis.  What treatment options are there? Is surgery an option and, if so, what is the longterm outcome? Is there someone who specialized in this problem - most gastroenterologists get that "deer-in-the-spotlight look" when I ask!?!
I hate that my life has to revolve around this problem - and no one understands what I'm going through!! I am otherwise healthy, I exercise regularly, eat well - I just want to know what I can do to "fix" this problem! Thanks!

[minti]

I have a redundant colon with a bad hairpin turn near the sigmoid. The best solution for my problem is making sure I do a very high volume enema at least once a week and/or when my colon is full and basically compressing the sigmoid. Because of my abnormality I often feel no urge because the sigmoid can not fill up. So when this happens, the sigmoid needs to be filled with the enema liquid for the contents to get moving. Why doctors never talk enemas with patients is sad. If your problem is at the end of your digestive track, it is so much less stress on your system to do enemas and work on the problem from the outlet end. Because of my long colon, sometimes I need to refill the enema bottle and do more than one application. It takes time, but since I started this regime I am finally getting results. And I feel so much better every day!!! By the way, using enemas is not habit forming like laxatives and fiber, and they can help restore normalcy to the gut by shrinking stretched out sections of loopy and chronically blocked large bowel.

[Bricinrock]

Pojoaque, that is great - congratulations on the surgery's success!
May I ask, is the surgery very invasive? Were you left with a long scar? (I had heard could be done with only small incision)  Also, I am curious about recovery time. My GI doctor told me I had a 50/50 chance of success from the surgeries he has seen performed. Also, did your surgeon mention anything about infection risk? I guess this is an in-patient procedure...or did you get to go home pretty quickly? Thanks for the positive report!

[Pojoaque]

Have the surgery! I had the same issue. My colon was 9.5 feet long instead of the usual 3-4 feet for female. I suffered for years under the care of several gastroenterologists.  The last one said the problem was in my head. What a sicko. I finally had a barium enema and the problem of redundant colon revealed. Eating more fiber COMPLICATES the issue if your motility is extremely slow; it just causes a blockage and more pain. In 2001 I went to see a colorectal surgeon, who referred me to another colorectal surgeon who was the best Dr. ever! He performed a right sub-total hemicolectomy and I got my life back. Pooping like normal after several years of pain, enemas, laxatives, fear and frustration. As it turns out, had I not had the surgery when I did, I would probably be dead. Due to the fiber and deterioration of the colon, I has two perforations starting which would have lead to peritonitis per the Dr.  My Dr. was James B. Williams II. He's with Mayo Clinic in St. Paul MN.  To schedule an appointment with James B. Williams II, MD call 651-312-1620.  He will save your life!

[Sookie8]

I was also told I have a redundant sigmoid colon. Now they want me to go for a fourth defecgram. The GI dr. said she is uncertain if the surgery would help because most people don't have rectal pain.  Did you also experience rectal pain like a fist pushing either up or down in it?  I think the pain comes from the stool sitting above it causing the pressure, so I don't understand why she says that this condition usually does not cause rectal pain. Wondering if anyone else has rectal pain and you just want to sit or lie down. This whole thing has messed up the last 12 years of my life.

[Shygal110]

Thank you

[EmaG72]

Dear gut sufferers. I am very much on the same boat as many of you.I have read over 20 comments and have come to the conclusion that NOT ALL IDEAS WORK FOR THE ONE PERSON. The most vital thing to remember and have written on your forehead is THAT HEALTH is the MOST important thing in the world as love, joy, family , holidays, sex etc.. can't be enjoyed unless YOU are healthy enough to ENJOY them. I will not bore you with my issues but must list some in order to explain my findings.
  ♥ Fibre and water are not everything, there are soluble and insoluble and some may have plant species that may upset or give you allergic symptoms.
♥ Yoghurt is great, but not every type of yoghurt. Some are full of sugar and fruit and gums to replace fat. Look for the one that works for you, usually expensive.
♥ Routines ARE important in all aspects of life, as is exercise and good emotional health. Meaning that stress and other emotional issues can also help your gut condition get worse. Running and other exercises may not be the only option, there is Pilates, Yoga, Yolates, Bikram yoga etc.. and swimming that may have double benefits.
♥Medications can also upset your gut/constipation or diarrhoea.
♥Have a health diary where you can write what is going on with all aspects of your health. Eg; you can use EXCEL to work out tables so you don't have to write everyday, only ticking boxes. Make the time for you to heal.
♥ LOVE yourself. I know it can be hard at times, my gut has given me issues since childhood o matter what diet or meds, until I said enough! and started to LISTEN to my body MORE carefully. Now I no longer eat oranges and other foods because it hurts my stomach.
My happiness and health are more important. I am not religious, more spiritual than anything so I believe in seeking peace, health and balance in all things, that way of thinking has really helped, letting go of things I can't control and people who no matter what you do will not value you as you are. Remember our body is a whole not the sum of parts. ♥
  

[fraup44]

Thank you for your detailed routine. I would love to ask you a few questions. Please email me at ***@****

[TinyDk]

I have the exact same medical history you described to the T along with efforts to be regular, symptoms, & .outcomes. Every single one. I have also had a total pancreatectomy, spleenectomy, whipple, Islet cell transplant to add to abdominal mess. I wonder if something similar is happening inside our bodies that is just getting missed somehow? I am not working but prior was a nurse so I know a little along with living with these issues. Have you found any reprieve?
Blessings, TD