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!
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. ♥
Thank you for your detailed routine. I would love to ask you a few questions. Please email me at ***@****
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
HI. I'm late ain't I? I hope you're doing better. I'm 67 and have a genetically long and tortuous colon. Although I've had periodic troubles throughout my life I thought they were what everybody had. But as I hit my middle forties, when many hormonal functions are slowing down, things got scary, and that's when the deformation was discovered. The first thing my doctor said to do was eat a lot whole grain bread, brown rice and wholegrain pasta (horribly swollen mushy stuff that pasta was.) I got really very, very much worse. Things take an awful lot longer to get through you with a complicated colon. The mushy whole grains start to ferment and your gut swells right before one of the hairpin turns. The effects are accumulative. It can be really frightful as you keep eating more thinking you''ll get relief. So I'm writing just to say that I'd try not following that particular advice. A wonderful soothing food I find (endless variations) is red bell peppers, young courgettes, onions, carrots, (mushrooms, a turnip perhaps, etc.) chopped into largish chunks and baked in a deepish, open, heavy oven dish with plenty of olive oil at 430F for 20 - 40m til the vegetables are oil baked. Add crushed garlic and cilantro right out of the oven. It keeps my insides incredibly happy. Just a thought.
Check out this article.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/..
I had a primary resection 8 years ago due to severe diverticulitis. After every bowel test and motility test one could have at Mayo, a redundant bowel was discovered. The surgeon told me that this was not the cause of my life long constipation issues and now infection in my gut.
My mother died as a result of a perforated bowel. I do believe that she had a redundant bowel as well.
This article is more recent than 2007 and it confirms what I have always believed. Redundancy could create a real issue for some people.
I still have redundancy, but untying all of my twists and turns has freed up my gut to perform regularly! I thank God each time I have a good one! It is a wonderful feeling after 50 years of constipation!
So- I would listen to Kipmom and follow a laxative regiment. BTW- I saw the "Constipation Queen" doctor at Mayo too. Here is her very expensive three minute talk, seems to help.
1. When you wake up- move around for 30 seconds- like exercise.
2. Have a hot beverage.
3. Go get ready for the day.
4. Have a bowel of cereal and another hot beverage.
5. When you have the urge- you only have 2-3 minutes to act on that urge.
6. When you have a sit- give it at least 3 minutes, but no more than 10.