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!

[nextgraf]

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.

[Legs1954]

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.

[TXSheri]

I have Redundant Colon and IBS-C right now - it used to be IBS-D But changed.  I started have severe pain issues a couple of years ago.  Hubby researched the internet and found Heather's Help for IBS website - you can Google that name.  This lady has had IBS since she was 9 years old.  She's not a doctor, but probably knows more about IBS than any doctor out there!  I got her Acacia Senegal powder - an organic substance - and her double enteric-coated peppermint & fennel gel caps.  The Acacia Senegal really helped with the pain but there didn't seem to be enough colonic action to push the fecal matter on through. With IBS you don't want to be taking insoluble fibre - just soluble fiber.  I finally gave up and went back to my gastroenterologist.  The PA told me to use Miralax once a day with the Acacia Senegal.  I now take a dose of the Miralax in the morning mixed with a dose of Acacia Senegal.  In the evening I take another dose of the Acacia Senegal.  So far, if I keep doing this regime daily, it has really helped me.  You might care to check out Heather's website.  Hope this helps.  

[Irishroze]

does anyone have any current updates?  My 2 yr old daughter was just diagnosed with this and it's been a nightmare since her birth.

[pottymouthredhead]

I have a redundant colon 2x what it should be. The first med you mentioned with glycol  in it .ended  up  twisting my colon. Fortunately, with prayers & blessing , I did not need surgery.  The doctors & surgeon were very surprised it straightened out.  Hope yours gets better, mine was hurting & blocked for 2 weeks. Then it twisted so bad went to ER.

[Yenbig]

I had 4 colonoscopies within a 3 month period that were unsuccessful in reaching the end of the colon.  I went to the third gastro doc and he did barium enema where the test showed the devices sitting in the colon.  I have had this issue for years, I'm now 65 and wondering if surgery is the answer.

My gut is tender always since I do a powdered polyehtelene glycol 3350 treatment morning and night, 2 5mg bisacodyl laxative and simethocone, 125mg at night.

I am tired of all of this and if I interupt this schedule become constipated badly.

I would like to hear more thoughts on the risks and benefits of surgery.  The docs tell me it it the longest intestine they have ever seen.

I empathize with you all for having this condition.

Lastly, I have been hesitant to do stomach exercises because I have a slight hernia at my belly button and an elongated bulge.

Your thoughts, please.

[Michnavo]

Really you should get a second opinion. I have your problem and am 52 yr old female. I'm recovering quite nicely from my colonectomy with no colostomy. For 15 years  I heard eat more fiber, then, add Miralax. Finally got a second opinion and a colon transit study indicated that everything was getting hung up in the loops of my Sigmoid colon. A barium enema test confirmed a redundant colon that had loops collapsing on each other. This is what had made it impossible for me to have a bowel movement without using stimulant laxatives to propel everything through. The surgeon was wonderful and performed a laparoscopic partial colonectomy--removing an entire foot of my loopy Sigmund and connecting it to my rectum. Do I regret it--running for the bathroom once a week when my laxatives kick in--or holding my stomach in agony from constipation the day before that--not on your life.
If your life is being seriously impacted by this, consider surgery. It could be the best thing you ever do. You may have to be insistent but it's YOUR life.

[meanui]

Where did you go for surgery and who was your surgeon?

[meanui]

Where did you go for surgery and who was your surgeon?