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Twisted/Spastic Colon

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 3/8/2007 6:13 PM (GMT 0)
I've recently had a colonoscopy and the GI said that my colon is "tortuous" with "spasms" and "twists" all over the place.  She said that many times she thought she wasn't even going to be able to complete the procedure and had to use compression many times.

My question is: is there a cure for this?

I'm assuming that I can handle this and would like to know some positive feedback so that I don't freak out.  THanks! :))

Posted 3/9/2007 12:09 AM (GMT 0)
That's a great question! Can't they just un-twist them? Does that seem too extreme to go in there and do it?
I will have to look it up...
Posted 3/9/2007 12:13 AM (GMT 0)

Thanks for looking it up 7Lil!! :))

I read somewhere about decompression?

But my PCP said that the GI can't untwist??

Posted 3/9/2007 12:30 AM (GMT 0)
Anyone who deals with life-time constipation will have a "redundant" or "tortuous" colon. All that means is that it has basically stretched out of its anatomically correct position and has a few more loops and twists. Usually, it's not that big of a deal unless the colon twists like a kink in a garden hose and cuts off the blood supply. Believe me - you'd KNOW it if that happened! I lost a good chunk of colon to just that situation.

The worst part of a redundant colon is that it causes even more constipation because there's that much more mileage for the stool to travel and thus get even more dried out. A real vicious circle. All you can do is keep yourself as regular as you possibly can. Hope this info helps a bit. :-)
Posted 3/9/2007 1:03 AM (GMT 0)

This looks like good info for you:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/redundant-colon/AN00239

Posted 3/9/2007 7:09 PM (GMT 0)

TexasJen, thanks so much for that info.  yes, it does help a lot.

I am constantly dehydrated and have pain near my ribs.  Are these also symptoms of a twisted colon?

Posted 3/10/2007 6:52 AM (GMT 0)
this has not happened to me but I have had friends that said the gastroenterologist straightend out the kinks in their colon. Wouldn't that be untwisting?

Posted 3/10/2007 2:05 PM (GMT 0)

Canyonbabe711, yeah it does sound like if they straightened out the kinks then it is untwisting!  I really hope that the GI can do this for me too!!

I don't know if this condition is causing me to be dehydrated or if it's my refluxing.  but i am certainly tired of this, and the constant lump in my throat.

Posted 3/10/2007 2:57 PM (GMT 0)
I think what the gastro doc meant by "untwisting" is that sometimes they can straighten things out with the scope. It's not a permanent fix. The large intestine is normally held in place except for the lower sigmoid portion that just kind of floats around in your lower pelvis. With a redundant colon, those "extra" parts also will kind of float around - much like the small intestine and sigmoid colon. That is why it's not a permanent fix when the doc can straighten out difficult twists and turns with the scope. Am I making any sense? LOL!

If you have a volvulus (kinked like the garden hose analogy) the pain is unbelievable. Your abdomen will blow up alarmingly, and you cannot pass gas or anything else. If obstructed long enough, you'll start throwing up feces since there is no place for it to go but up. Like I said before - you'll KNOW if happens! That is a medical emergency and must be corrected surgically.
Posted 3/10/2007 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Friendlygal, I've had 2 colonoscopy's and been told both times that I had a "loopy / twisted colon" both doctors had a hard time getting through that area. I asked if it could be corrected with surgery and my doc said no. Take care and I hope you find relief soon!

Here is a link to check out:

www.colon-cancer-digestion-health-zone.com/twisted-colon.html
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