Magnesium attracts water to the bowel, so it might counterract the drying effect of the long transit (and it's a good supplement in its own right for lots of people).

Kosher, you might wanna look into Dr. Richard Ash's archive, who practices in NY and is an alternative/integrative practitioner (naturopath) and MD. His specialty is IBD (including Crohn's, UC), osteoporosis, and food allergies, and he in fact wrote a book on IBS a while ago (not too good reviews, however). Among his recommendations are keeping the acid-base balance by eating 80% of your food from alkaline sources and checking your body's pH (urine and saliva). This is fairly controversial and many are not convinced that it is in fact based on science.

However, I can tell you I've been able to keep my gout under control using his method: I drink a glass of water with a half tsp of dissolved baking soda morning and night. This keeps me consistently alkaline at a pH of 7. Also, four weeks into this protocol, my FBG fell to the low 80s consistently and my autoimmune symptoms have been reduced. I'm not sure if that's entirely due to keeping my body alkaline but so far it's working and I'm watching things closely.

I'd go to his archived podcasts which present very useful information from a clinician's perspective. Most people who call in suffer from autoimmune diseases.

After 11 yrs of treatment for Crohns by a gastroenterologist, I changed doctors. My new doc tried a colonoscopy that he couldn't complete so he sent me to get an air barium test. Technician had to lean on my abdomen to try to get the barium thru my intestines. Result was that I have a tortuous colon, not Crohns. I quit taking my very expensive medication immediately, and new doc said to take 2 or 3 (daily) as needed 250 mg magnesium tablets. Been doing that ever since and no longer have cramping, bloating,cold sweats, etc.

I also suffer from a redundant colon. Dr was unable to complete colonoscopy because of all the twists and bends in my colon. I have done lots of reading and realize that I also have IBS. My Dr agrees. I eat All-Bran Buds and drinks lots of water. Everything goes well until IBS decides to rear it's ugly head. Exercise also helps. Eating less helps also. As life goes on, I sometimes forget to eat the bran and drink all that water. Excerise falls into last place sometimes when I get too busy. So I guess over all, I recommend bran, water and exercise.

Hi, anyone with chrohns, get all dairy out of your diet , you have been eating that crohns causing crap for years, so take a month off and see if that helps, if it doesnt I will eat my own hat

I also have a redundant and tortuous colon. my colonoscopist didn't know much about the condition (the facts or causes).i had to brief him and my family doctor had never even heard of it. i suffered from it since i was a child because this is a congenital disorder, impacting my life severely. Apparently it's a rare disorder of the large intestine only diagnosed through a colonscopy or x-ray, and affecting 1 in every 500 people...that's 0.2% of the population. Practically everyone with this abnormal colon suffers from the same symptoms and illnesses - severe IBS pain/flatulence/bloating, severe constipation/haemorrhoids/rectal bleeding, malabsorption syndrome/leaky gut, hypothyroid, anemia, many food allergies/intolerances/celiacs disease, candida/yeast, insomnia, liver sluggishness, PMS issues, depression, moodswings, anger, exfoliative chelitis of the lips (super dry and rapid daily peeling), hypoglycemia (at times), chronic fatigue/weakness/fainting, adrenal fatigue and many times asthma or shortness of breath, and usually very dark circles/bags beneath the eyes etc...this eventually can lead to diabetes, arthritis and colon cancer/chrons disease/colitis. it's quite sad. best ways of coping with this is avoiding drugs at all costs which only exacerbate the symptoms. I was recommended Domperidone for gas everyday for life LOL. How ridiculous! sometimes these docs are so stupid, not to mention never listen...makes me wanna slap them silly.

see a holistic nutritionist/N.D., health food stores have whole food multivitamins. People with this condition are deficient in practically everything. Probiotics is a must...an alkaline diet is also essential. meat protein and fats are especially difficult to digest, you will see this when you get tested. You will need digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid with bile. there is testing you can do for food intolerances, live blood cell analysis and full hormone panel testing, dhea-s and check everything. Most regular allopathic doctors don't know a thing about this. they can't help you. Exercise, hydrotherapy, drink plenty of water, fibre, fruits/veggies, cut down on proteins and fats, avoid sugar, take omega 3 fish supplements and make sure u do a multivitamin. Meditation, yoga, pranayama breathing help immensely, work on the stress! Candida Diet Protocol is advised!

It's unfortunate there is not much more we can do really unless you want to try colon surgery, which is very risky and the only country i know of that does it is the U.S. it's very risky cuz of all the nerves in the colon but most symptoms usually subside afterwards so it is pretty successful.

I also have a redundant colon and as a result have constipation despite the very fact that I eat principally raw food.

Each person's bowels are measure completely different. simply because you do not have multiple intestine movements daily doesn't suggest you are bound. Redundancy of the colon is another frequent reason behind colon constipation. The overladen colon is step by step stretched, till it's going to acquire nearly double its traditional length. The redundant colon usually becomes plicate upon itself, and adhesions type, giving rise to kinks that manufacture mechanical obstacles to the forward movement of the intestinal contents.

Constipation occurs when bowel movements become difficult or less frequent. The normal length of time between bowel movements ranges widely from person to person. Some people have bowel movements three times a day; others, only one or two times a week. Going longer than three days without a bowel movement is too long. After three days, the stool or feces become harder and more difficult to pass. Constipation cause by a disorder of bowel function rather than a structural problem such as Inadequate water intake Inadequate fiber in the diet A disruption of regular diet or routine; traveling Inadequate activity or exercise or immobility Eating large amounts of dairy products Stress

For you, I'm sure this is frustrating and annoying; for others, I'm sure it's an interesting dilemma. If your colon is twice as long as usual, food will take longer to traverse it and will dry out more and more along the way. And I wonder if drinking extra water really helps or will just give your kidneys more work to do.

Within the constraints of your Crohns, I'd research foods that others complain about for causing diarrhea. Since those foods aren't losing enough moisture in others, they might work just fine for you.

Someone here suggested this link in an earlier question: http://www.gutsense.org/constipation/normal_stools.html

I found it of great help in understanding my own poo related issues.

Are you sure it's not related to your gut flora? What probiotics, prebiotics or digestive enzymes have you tried? Magnesium may or may not help. For regularity, Epsom Salt may help since it will make you go. However, the stool type may not change -- it's been my experience that the stool type (Bristol Chart) is largely influenced by your gut flora.

I also have redundant colon/also a rectocele. The only thing that helps me is lots of home made lentil based soups every day.I boil the dry lentils about 10 minutes and then simmer until soft. Add water as necessary.For flavor add a cube of vegetable boullion, spices, etc. I often add potato, carrot or other veggies. This discovery has changed my life. I now have regularity and no more pain from hard sharp stool. You could also try different beans, but for me the lentils are good because they don't have a gassy effect. Well boiled canned black bean is my emergency back-up. Plus you can get black bean soup or sides at most mexican restaurants if you are traveling. btw, Miralax always makes me nauseous.I just don't think ingesting plastic (Polyethylene beads) can be good for you. I mean people are afraid of drinking out of PE bottles for fear of cancer. So connect the dots

So glad I discovered these posts! I've been constipated all my life...have regular colonoscopies b/c colon cancer is in my family. My last colonoscopy, my doctor told me I had the longest colon she had ever seen! Now I understand the problem I have. Miralax will cause you to have fecal incontinence (I know from experience). I'm taking 500 mg. of magnesium a day, have been taking benefiber for about 2 months, and take at least 2 stool softners a day. Most of the time, I have to use a fleet suppository to have a movement. Will try the Epsom salts next. I should probably drink more water. Any suggestions?

My mother has Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis (I have Celiac but have not been diagnosed with her more 'progressed' diseases yet -- I try to eat healthier, she eats whole wheat/high fibre/ lots of fruits).

I do NOT suggest high fibre/ lots of fruits simply from watching her AND anything I've read making sense. Your gut is angry and inflamed, putting things in that scratch their way through isn't helpful.

Have you looked at SCD? I know people who've tried it (although I'm not interested in it for various reasons, it may help you) and it has helped their gut issues -- although not a cure, which some people say it is. I'd say it might be able to get you calmer, more normal BMs.