Should I tell my doctor that I use enemas when I have health issues like IBS?

I know people talk about this topic and I know the vast majority will say don’t tell your dr about the enema use. But if you have other health issues like me high liver enzymes, high blood pressure, severe acid reflux, chronic constipation, touch of IBS. I think I should tell my dr about my enema use. Just so she’s aware. What’s everyone’s honest opinion

Tell them you OCCASIONALLY use it for severe constipation---NOTHING more.

DO NOT make it sound like fun, just something that works quickly and reliably so you can get out of the house to go about life.

If they new I did it daily and not for fun or if they did know I did it that much what would happen. I’m just curious

I have never told my Dr about it as I have never really thought it was their business.

However, I was pressed by my shrink during an especially intense session where I blurted my love for enemas and the psychological reasons why. She was taken aback at first, but eventually started helping me understand them and encouraged me to continue.

I think she secretly went home one night and tried them. She had different questions at one session. Almost like she had them and was trying to accept them for herself.

If you're going to a doctor to resolve a problem, DEFINITELY tell her about your enema use & habits! It IS her business, because you may be inadvertently causing or exacerbating a problem.

If you're simply going for routine checkups, and she finds no problems, there should be no need to tell her.

@Tony said

If they new I did it daily and not for fun or if they did know I did it that much what would happen. I’m just curious

It seems to me that answer is self evident or else you wouldn't be asking us. You would just be divulging your secrets to them.

It will go on your medical record and follow you forever with all its ramifications and consequences.

No, no more than you would tell him that you like to be tied up during sex, or that you like anal play or...

These are your private sexual habits. If you have an STD, you may have to tell him all your recent partners, but that's different. Plus, it's really none of his business, unless it affects your treatment.

If the subject of your bowels comes up. maybe it would be smart to say, "I have had enemas before" or something like that.

I would only answer what is directly asked and not volunteer anything

At a regular Dr. visit, pre Covid, she noted in my records that I was not due for colonoscopy for another couple of years. I mentioned my life-long issue of extra large and hard stools to the point of sometimes being painful. She suggested that I should try taking a stool softener twice a day. I agreed I would try that and added that for years "enemas have been my friend". At that she glanced up but didn't comment any further. The next visit was virtual over the phone during Covid.. but the upcoming checkup will probably be in her office again. I will let her know then that while the softeners do work, I generally have to take 4-5 in the morning and 4-5 again in the evening every 2-3 days. Even buying the largest quantity from Amazon, it became expensive, while enemas continue to be free. We'll see what she says.

I mentioned my life-long issue of extra large and hard stools to the point of sometimes being painful. She suggested that I should try taking a stool softener twice a day. I agreed I would try that and added that for years "enemas have been my friend". At that she glanced up but didn't comment any further.

Not sure why she recommended stool softeners (assuming the docusate type) - they are pretty much worthless. My doc says high fiber, plenty of water, and play around with Mirilax dosages to keep things soft.

She knows I deal with it, the questions are always "Still have trouble?" (yes) and then go through the red flag list (no, thank God!) and then moves on. If questions get more specific I figure I'll say I manage it in various ways.

My thyroid has been scorched from years or radio and radio tower services. I avoid radio energy as much as possibe now days. I take a thyroid suppliment. Much or most of my employment has been at large, going everywhere. The enema system has solved my needs over the years to be out there and on top of things, often in a virtual athletic job much of the time. It is simple, dependable, pleasant and even entertaining to boot. So what's not to like about it? My MD was also a professor for 20 years in Houston TX. When i explained my habbit, he took a big breath and thanked me for helping him to help me by not hiding a significant part of my health regimen. He enjoys knowing the truth as it is and includes this perspective in his educational practice as well. Perhaps i am most strange in just being forthright with the person i've chosen to lead in the overseight of my health care.

Lzrd:

How bad is your thyroid panel?

When did you have the last one?

Are you on Thyroid supplement?

What would happen if you asked for another thyroid panel??

A few years back I had some blood come out of my rectum due to a hard stool that must have made a small tear in my anus as it made its exit. I have to take NSAIDS for my lower back pain so I bleed easily and it takes a few minutes for a cut to clot and stop bleeding. So when I saw some blood and it kept coming for several minutes I was alarmed and made an appointment with my regular doctor to be checked- I was always told blood from the rectum is nothing you want to dismiss.

So I mentioned that I had given myself a glycerin suppository when this happened. Her thought process went to constipation. I did say I do use suppositories every now and then to help stimulate a BM. She gave me full rectal exam did not find anything to be alarmed about. From there she asked about my regularity. I said I do go regularly but sometimes maybe have a slightly slower system. I mentioned that I give myself enemas from time to time. Her response was simply to say, "don't use enemas too often or you will become dependent on them." I did not add anymore detail or information about my regular enema use (about 1 weekly) and certainly did not say I like to give myself enemas for sexual reasons.

She was sitting and typing this information in her computer so I would imagine buried in medical records is a line about me using enemas. I have never seen my medical records so I really don't know what she typed in.

As others have said, you may mention your enema use if it has relevance for the reason you are seeing the doctor, but you don't have to give them all the information. Just let them know you do use them from time to time and then shut up.

Several years ago my hubby accidentally injured himself with a colon tube, and since he was on blood thinners a little artery kept bleeding. If he hadn't called 911 he would have bled to death. He told the EMTs the truth about what had happened, and it's in his forever medical records. Both he (and I who am authorized to his medical records) have been counseled by both doctors and nurses, espousing the medical community's grave dislike of anything enema. It was medical advice that seemed to be given at the same level of intensity as don't inject fish tank cleaner into your veins.

Still, I suspect it would not be wise to withhold the fact of enema use from your doctor. As others have suggested, perhaps just emphasize that taking occasional enemas brings you relief, and don't mention pleasure.

~Diane

It's been some two decades ago when I started seeing a gastroenterologist... he was easy to talk to about various conditions and in talking about having a colonoscopy done, I mentioned that I like taking enemas. To my surprise, it was like he did not hear me say that - he did not say anything nor respond in any way. It was very strange. So I let it pass and never mentioned it again.

Have to agree with a previous post. Used to be that talking to your doctor was like talking to your wife, lawyer or priest. Not so now! Everything, and I mean everything is written down, recorded, saved forever and analyzed by programs designed to psychologically analyze you from head to toe. If your health is involved then that's a decision to be made at that time. But, keep to yourself those things that you don't want to be known by others than your doctor.

Unfortunately, all the old school doctors that you could talk too are all but gone, these days. Under no circumstances, in todays environment, give any doctor any more information than is need to treat you at the moment. And even then, be very careful what you say. All the data goes into a computer and if they make a mistake, you’ll go through hell trying to get it corrected. Been there, done that.

The current medical distain for enemas must have come from somewhere. Have docs be getting inaccurate info about enemas. Makes me wonder what other outdated or just plain wrong.

Does anyone know of studies or research done on enema becoming addictive?

I agree with Susie as I do with many other things.

I have parkinsons and see a neurologist yearly and a parkiinsons nurse yearly, spaced 6 months apart, one time the nurse asked about my bowel habits, so i said i was often constipated, and she asked what i took to resolve it, so i said sometimes suppositories, other times an enema, she looked up and said, oh, where do you get them..............i assume she was thinking of fleets, so i said out of the tap..she didnt comment further.

@superego:

Does anyone know of studies or research done on enema becoming addictive

A good question - I remember hearing it mentioned many decades ago and it scared me - thinking that my love of enemas would become a dependency I couldn't overcome and should I ever want to stop taking them, I'd be unable to. In time I realized it was not a dependency that I'd be helpless to overcome; instead, it's simply something I love doing and as long as I like them I do them.

I recently went for a follow up on my last colonoscopy. I saw a nurse practitioner in the same practice with my regular gastroenterologist for that office. She had a tablet and was reading the clinical notes from the procedure. She found that since I was found to be 'inadequately prepped' for the colonoscopy I was given two 1500cc enemas by a nurse before I was deemed clean enough for the procedure.

During her continuing exam/interview with me she asked about the prep and asked why I skipped the Fleet enemas before I left the house to go to the endoscopy clinic. It was actually noted in the procedure log from the clinic that I had not followed the prep instructions by passing on the morning enemas. I explained to her I did not use Fleets, and that the Doc had OK'd the use of tap-water enemas in lieu of Fleets. I was running late that morning and thought I was clear enough after the enemas the night before. She actually asked me, "You mean like real old-time enemas? Like with a bag? I haven't seen one of those prescribed in the months I have been with the practice. I haven't seen one since I was in nursing school."

GEEZ!

This was a gastro nurse practitioner! ...and she was looking at me like I had announced I was from Mars! I would have thought she would have been better acquainted with enemas! After all, isn't that their region of expertise??

She went back to reading/scrolling her tablet and said she did see where the Doc had approved tap-water versus Fleet enemas for the prep. She said he noted the same change approved three years before for my previous colonoscopy.

Before I left she actually said a was an 'Unusual Man!"

So my particular proclivity is not well understood or endorsed by the new generation of medicos! ...and even with HIPPA, that personal fact is not so secret anymore!

I recently saw my diabetes Dr. She put me on Ozempic several months ago. A major side effect is constipations, it slows the motility of your digestive system. This has pushed me to a once a week enema. I have tried to allow my body to deal with it without intervention and it results in a day of extremely hard stool and 2 days of intense gut cramps followed by a half hour bathroom trip almost filling the toilet. A once a week soapsuds enema eliminates this discomfort. I decided to tell my Dr. , at first I just said I can manage it. Then later I said that it is somewhat uncomfortable because I have been using an occasional enema. She said well, you get a little cleanse out of it and some people would not use an enema, but it's OK. I was surprised, no lecture, no recommendation for Metamucil or magnesium pills, just, “you get a little cleanse out of it”.

If you use enemas an laxatives all the time your bowels will get sluggish and you want be able to go without laxatives or enemas! If you stop using them cold turkey you may get a impaction! Maybe a couple times a week but you don’t need to completely rely on help! You don’t want a impaction!

Prov1 i don’t know where you live but we have my chart! My husband was in the hospital back in the summer and everything they did we got it before they posted it on the chart! We ask th nurse if she had heard from chest X-ray and scan? No not yet! Here it is on his phone! Basically that’s a good idea because I’m a retired nurse and they were short handed and running their butts off so if it was something new ordered. I showed it to his nurse because she didn’t have a clue! The doctor ordered Decadron iv so many times and I showed it to her! It was hours before he got it but not her fault! Pharmacy hadn’t sent it up! His IV ran out and he hit the call ligh it beeped 40 minutes and I happened to see a bag on the labarony and I got it and looked at his bag it was the same thing so I hung it! I had to play with the iv pump but I figured it out! She came in and ask did you call for something? He told her my iv bag was empty but she hung it! She said oh no you not suppose to do that! I never say I’m a nurse! She said I will get in trouble! I told her sweetie no you want because we not telling it! I’ve been in your shoes! She said you a nurse? I told her yes! If your manager makes rounds we are telling her how wonderful you have been! She said awe thanks! I told her we not calling unless it’s a must! My Chart tells you everything!

We also have MyChart (by EPIC), but we only get lab results immediately before the Dr. has a chance to see them. X-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs etc. or anything that has to be bad and signed off by a radiologist or the doctor, the report is available but not released to our MyChart until the Doc who ordered the test sees the report and releases it.

If you use them more than 2-3 times a month, i would ask your doctor's advice.

The OP said:

I know people talk about this topic and I know the vast majority will say don’t tell your dr about the enema use. But if you have other health issues like me high liver enzymes, high blood pressure, severe acid reflux, chronic constipation, touch of IBS. I think I should tell my dr about my enema use. Just so she’s aware. What’s everyone’s honest opinion

@Switchablesusie said:

It seems to me that answer is self evident or else you wouldn't be asking us. You would just be divulging your secrets to them.

It will go on your medical record and follow you forever with all its ramifications and consequences.

“Just so she's aware”?? Do you expect her to do something or recommend anything about it - or just to tantalize her? If it gets you off telling your doc about enema use - fine, just remember it will be in your record and whatever the doc comments about it.

I've told my Dr that I use enemas from time to time (which is true), just to be on same page as to what's going on with me. They really need to know what you are doing to yourself, no secrets.

I know people talk about this topic and I know the vast majority will say don’t tell your dr about the enema use. But if you have other health issues like me high liver enzymes, high blood pressure, severe acid reflux, chronic constipation, touch of IBS. I think I should tell my dr about my enema use. Just so she’s aware. What’s everyone’s honest opinion

We've never considered telling my sub's health care providers about his enjoyment and use of enemas. They didn't ask the right questions that that answer ever needed to come up.

Though since his high blood pressure diagnosis, no IBS, I have done fewer enemas than was previously done. To not mess up his water intake in his body. It is a balance of for his health or for his general mental health. As enemas are good for his mental health as well as his physical well being.

If you are having any type of GI issues — IBS appears to be more common among women — definitely tell your doctor that you are taking enemas. I suffered for years and was embarrassed to talk fully with doctors, including our wonderful, old-school family doc who occasionally even prescribed an enema. I was always too shy to open up with her about my enema habit, which I still felt was more health related, although enjoyable as well. It’s that enjoyable part that I never wanted to tell doctors.

When she retired about 2 1/2 years ago, I began seeing a female naturopath who was recommended by a girlfriend. My initial appointment with her was nearly 2 hours, and she made me so comfortable talking about my health issues that we talked openly about enemas — the first time I ever shared everything with a doctor. It was good for me, because she started me on probiotics implants that are working.

More to the point here, she is very aware of the brain-gut connection. She knows firsthand that an enema can affect physical and mental, something I discovered and learned to enjoy. That’s OK, she said. But she seriously warned to be sensible with my health, do enemas only as needed beyond my probiotics treatments — and if I “enjoy“ them, fine. She said most of her patients do once they get used to them.