Enema

[wonderme]

Good morning.  I have suffered from constipation for years...I have made dietary changes, fiber pills, colace, activia yogurt, etc.  I often get temporary results but nothing lasts.

I have never tried using an enema, but am contemplating it now.  I know absolutely nothing about them, but really feel yucky -- bloated, my abdomen protudes like I'm 5 months pregnant, and I just feel stopped up.

Can anyone give me some feedback regarding giving yourself an enema?

Concerns, risks, expectations, etc.

How often do you need or can you do one?

Any bad experiences?

Also, how long do you need to be near a restroom?  Hours, days?

Lastly, I am trying to get pregnant, I know I am NOT right now, but are there any risks while trying?

Thanks for your help.

[Jaybay]

Have you ever consulted a doctor about your C problem?  Sounds like you may be a good candidate for zelnorm.  As for the enema, just follow the directions in the box.  They usually kick in within 15 minutes, and the longer you can keep the fluid in, the better it will work.  Not fun, but I understand desperation!  It's not something that will make you have to live in the bathroom all day, but give yourself a couple of hours just to be sure.  Everyone reacts differently to these things.  Good luck!

[wonderme]

Thanks,

I have talked to my doc about it (so fun) but have only been advised to try fiber and colace.  The fiber doesn't really work and I feel totally bloated.

The colace doesn't really help either -- and certainly never had any long-term results with either of them.

Occassionally I try something like exlax, but I'm too afraid to keep using it.

I do high fiber foods, drink plenty of water/fluids, and eat well, but still not better.

I may try this when I have nothing planned for a few days.

Thanks again.

[Jaybay]

You can also ask your doc about Miralax.  You need a prescription for it (why, I don't know, as it seems innocuous enough) but it works well for me.  It's almost a synthetic fiber so you don't get the bloating and gas from it like you do from metamucil type products.  Also, since it's not a stimulant laxative like exlax or senna products, you don't have to worry about long-term use.

There are other products available over the counter that work by putting water back into the colon.  It's basically the same stuff you take for a colonoscopy prep.  I believe the OTC enemas use this same chemical - it's just administered from the other end.  :-)  Anyway, look for little bottles of Fleets Phosphasoda or magnesium citrate.  I only use those when I am in desperation, and they aren't recommended for long-term daily use.

[Joalbert]

I do suggest using the enema, I've tried it and it does work. Please do try to keep the enema inside for the longest because it will not work proprely, I've done the mistake of not using it the right wait, but helped me the next day.

[bobo3769]

I have had major bloating for past 6 years and have spent thousands with doctors.  Two things have helped.  I do yoga which is moving and working every mussel in my body, its great.  Second I do enema almost every day.

The key is buy a 5 qt bag, about $100.  Second, use filtered water, I fill the bag, do the enema then sit on the TOLIT AND LET IT OUT.  After a few days you get use to it, then you start feeling great,  no more bloating and feeling BAD!!!  after every meal.

I have learned that after I let it out, I always have a little water left in the bag to clean my butt up before I use wipe myself.  So much better and cleaner that way.  The whole process takes 15-20 min and I don't have it sit on the tolit for the rest of the day.

[Fuzzz]

You could try buying a Fleet's enema.  It is a small volume of water and it is easy to give yourself.  I've done it once, and it was surprisingly easy, and as another person said, the directions are right on the box.  There is no mixing of ingredients, and it is a product doctors recommend before certain procedures, so using it now and then won't hurt you.  I would do it when you don't have to go right to work, but it doesn't keep you occupied for hours and hours (in my experience).  I have also used magnesium pills and/or glycerine suppositories in the past.  

What I use now every day is MiraLax.  Here in the US it no longer requires a prescription.  Oddly enough it is NOT recommended in pregnant patients, however.  And from what I hear, constipation is common in pregnancy.  For that reason I would definitely talk to your doctor about getting on top of the problem.  It sounds like it has gone on for years for you.  If I'm wrong and this is a newish problem, then be aware that bloating can be one of the vague symptoms of ovarian cancer.  This sneaky cancer is easily overlooked, so it takes a lot of pushing from a patient to try to diagnose this if she has a bad feeling about ovarian cancer.  The tests continue to be not very conclusive.  That's what Gilda Radner died of, and she had to insist there was something wrong before they would stop pooh-poohing her concerns.   (grrrrr).