Daily soap enemas?

I've been doing daily enemas for a few months now but just recently started doing soap suds enemas - about 6 squirts of Mrs Meyers liquid soap in 1.5 quarts. I find they wash me out better than a regular enema. Is this safe to do once a day?

Hi @kizzy . I use Mrs. Myers for my hands all the time but I am not sure if I would want to use it for my more delicate interior due to the potential irritation of the fragrances and other chemicals. It is fairly pure for the skin. You might want to go with something more neutral, like a castile. Dr. Bronner's comes to mind but there are others out there on the market. Read the label. You might even ask the pharmacist about any strange additive without giving away what you want to use it for if you are uncomfortable with that disclosure.

Thanks, I've read about Dr. Bronners on here. Where do you buy it? I bought this at a natural grocery store, it was the only liquid soap I could find. I went to the regular grocery store and didn't see Bronners. Is it at a drug store?

edit: it looks like it is at Target, I'll check there

@kizzy I got some unscented from Target. You might have to order it and have it sent to the store. They can order anything right in the store. I have heard some here use the peppermint. I don't know about flavored variety. I prefer just plain jane stuff. Also @kizzy, I am not sure about it but once a day over a long term might not be so good for you. There are a lot of opinions on this. I tend to err on the side of caution.

I appreciate the concern. So far once daily enemas have only helped me as I suffer from idiopathic constipation. It's just that lately I seem to have a hard time getting the rest of the liquid/poop out - it seems to stay in. The soap is the only thing that finally empties everything.

Welcome & again, welcome to Zity.

I appreciate the concern. So far once daily enemas have only helped me as I suffer from idiopathic constipation. It's just that lately I seem to have a hard time getting the rest of the liquid/poop out - it seems to stay in. The soap is the only thing that finally empties everything.

@kizzy I would recommend J&J Baby Shampoo. I use 3-4 Tblsps and 2 Tblsps of Baking soda to 2qts of warm water. Gives a very cleansing, soothing, relaxing enema. Have turned a few members on here on to it and they like it. Give it a try, I'm sure you'll like it.

Here's another hearty recommendation for J&J baby shampoo. It is mild, smells good (even upon release) and doesn't tend to cramp. The recommended dose is one capful/quart, but after a few good enemas, you'll likely learn the "squirt" method.

Just to be safe, I'd limit the soapy enemas to every other day. Your results may vary; and welcome to Zity!

Thanks mike and watertrain. I don't know how to quote yet but I'll get that one next. What does the baking soda do? So far I'm still pooping (with the help of magnesium) so I think I'm fine in that respect.

Hi Kizzy.....Welcome to Zity! I'll echo what others have said here. Soap suds enemas every day might not be a good idea. Many years ago, my GI doc told me no more than two soap suds enemas (SSE) per week. What I use is two measured teaspoons of table salt per quart or one measured teaspoon of salt plus one measured tablespoon of baking soda per quart. Both recipes are close to isotonic, so the bowel doesn't draw fluid from the body & the body doesn't draw fluid out of the bowel. Sudden changes in electrolyte balance are not good.

You could try a series of three enemas. First one, salt & a mild soap, like J&J or Dr. bronners (I occasionally use Dr. Bronners lavender, smells good going in & coming out) second one, 2 Qts with salt & baking soda, third one, try 2.5 Qts salt & soda. You will find that salt & soda enemas are very soothing with minimal if any cramping. Try to retain the enemas for 5 or more minutes, for maximum benefit.

vapor

I have always tried to practice doing safe enemas. Essentially that boils down to how often I do them and how much volume and additives I use.

Everybody has to find their happy medium in terms of what their body will tolerate. If you are experiencing problems after you do enemas you probably need to cut back on how often you do them. My happy medium is to restrain myself from doing enemas too often so that my body can have independent BMs. I can do single 2 quart enemas with Epson Salts for 2-3 consecutive days without affecting my regular system, but if I do 3 enemas in a single session, then I usually need 5-7 days of recovery time before starting back up again.

So are daily soap enemas safe? You'll only know if you give it a try and see how you body reacts. If you can live a comfortable life without the enemas causing you any problems, then yes daily soap enemas are just fine- you have to find out for yourself.

Thanks mike and watertrain. I don't know how to quote yet but I'll get that one next. What does the baking soda do? So far I'm still pooping (with the help of magnesium) so I think I'm fine in that respect.

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) in an enema acts to help balance some of the electrolytes as well as make the enema solution slightly basic and buffers it. An enema with sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate at balanced/isotonic levels is very easy to take. It also will help to keep you from absorbing as much water, and studies have shown that properly balanced enema solutions produce less inflrammation of the colonic mucosa.

Be aware that SSE's leave irritation in the colon for up to 2 weeks and are not suggested for colonoscopy prep. due to giving a false positive for ulcerative colitis. I stick with tap water, but if it's essential to get a total clean out, I use dissolved Dulcolax tabs followed by large volume tap water enemas.

Years ago "Soap colitis" was a common condition among those who used SSE's regularly. If tap water is not working well, try multiple tap water enemas, or saline.

I can't have a bowel movement on my own without a soap enema so I take one every day, two or three days. I need the soap to irritate my colon to help me to evacuate. I have had to do this for many years. Over time, GI Doctors have concluded that I have an irritable colon with idiopathic or stubborn constipation. (IBS-C). I also have to take daily Miralax so I won't have as many hard stools to evacuate. There's nothing worse than cramping and straining to pass those. I've had constipation all my life and I had plenty of stomach aches and enemas growing up.

@Moms_Egirl I believe my maternal grandmother had the same or similar condition. She didn't go visiting often & when she did, she told the female in the family about the condition and that she would need privacy & maybe some assistance.

I can't have a bowel movement on my own without a soap enema so I take one every day, two or three days. I need the soap to irritate my colon into peristaltis. I have done this for a long time. I also have to take daily Miralax so I won't have as many hard stools to expel. There's nothing worse than cramping and trying to pass hard round stools. I think I was born with constipation. I had plenty of stomach aches and enemas growing up.

Ouch! Sorry you have no choice but to take enemas to be able to poop effectively, but at least glad you seem to enjoy your enemas and get some sensual and sexual satisfaction from them.

Eric