HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Redundant colon?

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 7/19/2018 11:15 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all!

It's been a long time since I was last here! I'm 36 and currently in remission (YAY!!!) with Remicade every 6 weeks.

Well, I had a colonoscopy on Tuesday and the doctor wasnt able to get through my ascending colon due to "redundant colon" with lots of twists and turns I guess! I had never had this before during previous colonoscopies and the thinking is that my pregnancy and/or csection (2 years ago) caused this.

Has anyone ever been told they have a redundant colon? Have you been able to have a full colonoscopy despite it? I'm kinda thrown off by this!
Posted 7/19/2018 1:25 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome back, and congrats on the remission. Some have posted about twists in their intestine before. Makes the scoping harder to do but not impossible in most cases.
Posted 7/19/2018 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks iPoop! I was really surprised they couldnt get through! I go to David Rubin so if he can't do it, no one can! I must be pretty twisted up.
Posted 7/19/2018 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
If it's twisty, it could mean adhesions, but a redundant colon could set you up for further issues.

Never thought I'd suggest this.....but a barium enema x-ray could be of help in this one.

what were his suggestions regarding further testing? Hope there a few on the list and not just labeled with nothing more.

q
Posted 7/19/2018 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Quincy! Well, he used the term "redundant." I looked back at the report and it says that they couldn't pass the scope through even despite changing the length of the scope etc and also using external pressure on my abdomen. I, of course, remember none of this thank god. He suggested that next time, he will put me under general anesthesia for it. Not sure how that would help, but he knows more than I do! What kinds of issues can a redundant colon cause? I'm thinking I should shoot him an email to discuss it further now that I'm not stoned.
Posted 7/20/2018 6:37 PM (GMT 0)
Yes....best to get the info from the doc and understand the term in your situation. If you didn't have that in the past....why now?

Please keep us updated.

q
Posted 7/20/2018 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
redundant colon is just extra long colon, but it is often twisted and I gather redundant is sometimes more a reference to the twists.

the general anesthesia may provide more complete relaxation of the colon muscles and in combination with a pediatric (small) scope they may get through. Anytime they have to push a bit, the danger of perforation goes up.

have you had scopes before of was this the 1st?
Posted 7/20/2018 8:59 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, DB! This was my 3rd or 4th colonoscopy. Was never told of this before and they were always able to get to my cecum. However, this was my 1st colonoscopy since my pregnancy...
Posted 7/20/2018 11:05 PM (GMT 0)
Twisty can become twisted upon itself because of excess gas and constipation and stricture, etc. The point is to find out if you had this in the past, ask for a contrast like a barium enema x-ray, etc. Do the research and get answers precicely and indepth.

q
Posted 7/23/2018 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
My colon has been described as "redundant", "tortuous", and as having "excessive looping". A few of my colonoscopy summaries have described the need for "manual pressure" in order for the GI to get the scope through all the twists and turns. I have been fully knocked out during these scopes.

I just had a c-scope last week and there was no mention of this in my write-up. I currently have an email in to my GI, asking if the loops/twists have improved - don't know if this is possible but I also noticed the procedure was much shorter in duration this year.

I've been hitting the fiber HARD this past year (because my theory is I have a slow transit time and tend towards constipation because of all my extra colon), and am hoping that this has had a positive impact on the structure of my colon. It feels like it's been working a bit better.

I haven't been able to find any info on the structure of the colon changing over time. I can let you know what doc says if you'd like.

Jane
Posted 7/23/2018 5:30 PM (GMT 0)
HI JANE!!!!! I thought redundant colon sounded familiar. Please come back to let us know about the answers and results of your scope.

The fibre makes sense.....helps peristalsis too.

Hope all is well otherwise.

q
Posted 7/24/2018 2:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Jane! I would love to know if the increased fiber helped to improve things! My notes also said there was excessive looping and that even the manual pressure on my abdomen didn't work. Yikes! Guess this gives a whole new meaning to being "loopy." lol
Posted 7/30/2018 5:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Quincy!!

Hi Worried Girl!! Hope you have a more successful scope next time. What a pain to do the prep and then have it be for naught.

So I heard back from my GI but it was a rather dissatisfying answer:

"There are many factors that affect how the colon sits in your abdominal cavity, altering the colonoscopist's task. This year was a good year!"

*sigh*

He's a man of few words but I like what he does for my colon.

Guess it will remain a mystery for now, although I guess what counts most is finding things that feel like they improve colon function and health. I shall carry on with my festival of fiber...
Posted 7/30/2018 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
We tend to think of the position of our internal organs as fixed and permanent in position, however they can shift, turn, and twist over time. It got into that position and can get out of that position over time as well. Your General Practitioner or Family Doctor might be able to explain it a bit more to you, if you let him/her know about your question in advance (call ahead, email, etc.). They generally have more time to make sure you're satisfied with answer and are therefore more thorough in explanation than specialists are.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply