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!

[Sydnkoko]

I have been suffering with this problem for over 2 1/2 years.  After my persistence and 24 doctors later I found a colon doctor that did another colonoscopy and ordered an MRA for my blood vessels and I had a 99% blockage of my celiac artery.  Had a stent put in but very little relief.  My doctor put me on a medication called Linzess, well let me tell you it cleaned me out every morning but who can live on a toilet.. I did this for 30 days and am back to abdominal pain galore, can't exercise because of extreme pain. Been to the specialist at UofM in Ann Arbor, Mi and nothing.  My quality of life is awful  

[manuelfa77]

this olso is happening to me ! I went to hospital. They gave me some tablets and some powder to mix with water for ten days.

An other  docter told me to use Chlorophyll , cellulosis, to eat
1) lemon+1 spoon of honey+2 tbs of olive oil+ 1 onion  morning , 4 days a week all the month long
2) pumpkin+ green tomatoes+ vegies of beenplant+igname
3) 4 aples+passion fruits+ pinapple+maize+papay all the day long at 8:00am and at 4:00pm.  I took it there is only one week. I still wait for result of all this.

[dmmf97]

Lizzie, I am 48 yrs old and have had issues since I was a child too. All I ever got was "drink more water, eat more fiber" end of story. Until I ended up up with an internal hernia of my colon and had to have major surgery.  I finally ended up with a great GI doc who got me on the right track. I have a routine of benefiber powder every morning and miralax as needed.   I just adjust as needed.   I am getting over a GI bug and my colon is a bit messed up now, but I am tryong to get back into the routine.
I am really curious about the herbal supplement that you use for gas.  Please pass on the name!

Good luck.

[lindacubed]

I am 60-years old and have had issues with my bowels all my life, the worst was after my second child was born where I went from constipation to diarrhea and back to constipation, back and forth, for over a year.  With a pre-schooler and a baby, I didn't have funds to see the doctor for myself, and never really knew what the problem was until I had my first screening colonoscopy 5-years ago, where I was told that I had an elongated colon with multiple tortuosities.  I also had the X-rays, and was able to see the rosettes, loops, and helix curls of my colon.  But before that, I had learned to manage the issue.  Yes, fiber and water is important, but I found the most useful tool to manage my bowel issues is routine.  A morning routine that almost always results in a satisfactory bowel movement.  When my routine is disrupted, usually while traveling, is when I have problems, and then, it usually takes about a week and several doses of Miralax to get back on track.  Recently, I discovered Squatty Potty, and that has helped to reduce the length of time per sitting.  I don't think it is the exact routine that is important, just that you have one, but here is mine:  Get up, empty my bladder, immediately drink 12 oz. of water.  Take my pills, fix and eat breakfast, consuming another 12 oz. of water.  Take Metamucil with yet another 12 oz. of water.  Have one mug, also 12 oz. of coffee. Like Pavlov's dogs, usually just the smell of the coffee as I make it, is enough to stimulate a bowel movement, and then I usually have a second movement, after sipping the coffee.  After that, I shower and dress.  However, if I go off routine, and shower and dress to go out for breakfast, I probably will not have a bowel movement that day, and will be out of kilter for the next week.  It does effect my life; but it is manageable.

[Birdland948]

Thanks for all your comments. Since it's been a while since some of us posted, could we possibly let people know how we are doing now?

There isn't much change for me, I'm afraid. I still have constipation/diarrhea often. In addition, sometimes I have incontinence and trouble emptying my rectum. Last year my PCP referred me to gynecology because I also have a rectocele. I saw a specialist who visits the medical center one day per month. I had several visits, and the doctor really could not figure out what to do for me. Unlike the rectal surgeon I consulted, who confirmed I have the rectocele, the GYN only had me lying face up, so that everything collapsed and he couldn't find the rectocele. Finally he referred me to the bowel program at the University of Michigan.

When my appointment time came, I was scheduled to see someone for my spine problems. So I skipped going to Ann Arbor so I could focus on my back. So there's really been no progress in resolving my problems with redundant colon and IBS.

However, I discovered online the concept of FODMAPs. I'll not explain it here, but you can google, especially the Wikipedia article. Finally something made since to me. The FODMAP theory is that the starches and sugars in the food we eat cause our problems. They recommend an elimination diet of the various categories of FODMAPs, and if that helps, then the reverse process is used to pinpoint what is causing the problems of gas and bloating and constipation. I tried the elimination diet, which made all kinds of improvement. Then adding one category at a time, I found what causes me problems. I try to avoid these foods, and the bloating and gas are much better, although constipation is still with me. I really recommend you check out FODMAPs and see if it helps you.

By the way, after my spine surgery, I wore braces to support my back, which also had plates in the front to help my abdominal muscles support my back. During this time, I had very regular bowel movements. Side effect, my GERD came back due to the pressure on my abdomen. Still dealing with these issues.

[cindybobindy]

I had a colonoscopy a few months ago; was having a lot of constipation, which I only had intermittently before.  MD explained I had some flat polyps(can't remember the name, but turned out to be benign, thank God), and a redundant colon.  Recommended metamucil, increased water (1/2 gal. per day), high fiber diet, (40 Grams/d), and Stoneyfield yogurt, which is a yogurt with healthy bacteria, and is different from the other yogurts that have bacteria with them).  While I took the metamucil, my constipation improved, but I developed an allergy to it (itching to head and trunk that just about drove me mad).  Also 2 stool softeners 3 times daily.  When I stopped the metamucil, I got bound up again, but if I eat a lot of insoluable fiber, like corn, grape nuts, fiberOne cereal, etc., it helps.  The yogurt is also key.