Flow rate and ease of retention

Of late I have noticed that enemas from my Seeking Health silicone bag have been difficult to hold. I leak as the enema progresses. When I obtained that bag I noticed that its design restricted the flow rate on the solution. Initially this wasn’t a problem (over 500 enema sessions), but recently the slow flow has resulted in the solution leaking out of me before the bag is empty.

I discovered on a recent trip that the travel enema bag, a combo rubber type, ran the solution in much faster yet didn’t cause any leaking issues. Upon returning home I began using a different enema bag (Klystra silicone bag) that flows just as quickly as the travel bag, and haven’t had any problems with it.

For reference, the two quarts flow in four minutes from the Seeking Health bag and in three minutes from the other bags. Identical hanging heights, solution, and Foley tube.

Have others experienced anything similar?

Yes, the flow rate does count, and the slower the rate, the easier to manage the retention.

My preference is to hang the bag high (and so I have the pressure available whenever it is necessary) but strictly control the flow rate at/around the minimum. I got a flow indicator and a roller clamp installed in addition to the the shut-off clip. In this way I can be in full control.

E-lover, how high do you hang your bag? And how long does it take for how much volume?

Wait, @UncleO are you saying that you retain better with a faster flow rate? (I think this sometimes is true for me, if possibly counterintuitive.)

@Scotty55: It is a bit less than 2 metres, say 6.5 feet. These days I use the door rail of a large wardrobe cabinet. (I need a replacement part for my IV stand.) However, as I use a massage table and I take all enemas in knee-chest, the relative height of the bag to the anus is approximately 2.5 feet.

Still, this works almost all cases, I mean with some stops and body movements I usually can manage to take the volume I put into the bag.

Re time to take the enemas: this hugely depends of the state of my body. On Wednesday, I had three Es (1, 2 and 3 litres), all went in without any difficulties. Today I planned to have 3 again -- or maybe 4 -- (with the difference that the 3rd one was set to a 10% glycerin mix). I could not complete the task for different reasons, but the main reason was that I struggled to take even the first one...

I am sorry but don't check the time needed to take enemas, my motto is that "Enema is not a race". Plus, sometimes I like to play with the flow rate, when my mood is set that way.

@Sweetest_Relief

Yes it seems to be easier with a faster flow. I think it is because once the rectum is full cramps calm down.

@UncleO, yes, I think I understand your situation. In my case when an enema is for GI shenanigans (I can have spasms) the sooner I fill my ascending colon/right side, the smoother the sailing.

Before I had a Higginson, I used to put my 2-liter enema can at about a 6’ height on a high bathroom closet shelf to get the right flow rate. Now I pump smoothly to get much of the water in fairly quickly and find that often feels the best, lets me retain longer, and yields a productive session that usually stops the spasms and results in an IBS reset that can last weeks or longer. And I don’t need a double length of hose to clean, either.

I think I figured this out by accidentally taking water faster than intended, but it seems to be a theme.

I've rarely hung an enema bag more than 36 inches above my "patient's" bottom (husband, daughters or my own). And, the way I encourage retention is giving just half a 2-quart bag at a time with a rectal tube inserted into the sigmoid to reduce pressure in the rectum to expel. However, you also don't want too much enema solution to remain for too long before it's released, because it can cause "water toxicity" in the bowel. I don 't know a lot about this, but I'll take a nurse's word that she taught me many years ago.

There seems to be a lot of variables when it comes to taking/giving enemas. Certainly, personal preferences should be respected. I find that subsequent enemas, after a preliminary cleanse, can be injected at a higher rate of flow. If my desire is to push the solution up around the bend, a higher flow rate can aid in this, especially if I've already cleansed the lower portion of my bowel (rectal vault). If retention is a primary concern, the slower rate makes sense. Positioning is also a factor to consider.

I had the privilege of a (3 Enema Session) at a provider a few years ago. I was surprised at how fast one of the enemas was delivered and queried why. I was advised that this was to assure a deeper and complete emptying of my bowel. Retention was of minimal concern with this particular enema. Subsequent "implants" for retention should be given at a slower rate.

My experience is that the higher the bag/bucket, the more pressure will be delivered. This can be controlled by lowering the height and/or using the clamp or if an inline flow valve is part of the tubing, it can be used.

As for retention; again my experience is the use of an inflatable nozzle is most definitely a factor in retention. Most non inflatable straight nozzles are ( in my case) not effective in retention.

If you are getting an enema from a s/o

or caregiver, communication is the key to a safely delivered enema. If you are doing it yourself, be mindful

of the height and have the ability to reduce the rapidity of the flow.

The flow rate from a closed bag can also be much increased by a sadistic nurse giving a really good two handed squeeze while smiling sweetly & telling you "it's for your own good" as you howl & beg for mercy 😈

I commented on this thread but forgot to mention that the height of the bag or bucket also depends on the length of the tubing you are using ( attached to the bag/bucket.

We are all different, so many factors apply....I do enemas for pleasure and usually avoid all extremes, so everything "too" I don't usually do. Not a fan of long retention either. When receiving I prefer a good flow that can reach as high as possible with a regular nozzle and with a colon tube I add a little hand pump for the extra push, but do that rarely. I prefer multiple fillings, usually each reaching further than the previous, with enough quantity to fill full but still keeping some control, as I enjoy the fullness sensation. I have also noticed that if I do retain longer, the more "returns" i may have, after the main expulsion... so I keep it simple, comfortable and pleasurable...

Just to add for safety’s sake that back when I was using a 6’ can height rather than a Higginson, I would attenuate the flow for the first 2/3 of the enema using my ratchet clamp. Only once I could tell the water was hitting resistance due to a spasm somewhere near my hepatic flexure did I open the clamp fully, and as soon as the spasm released I would slow the flow again.

I was also never running in a dangerous volume of water and stopped at 2 liters or less.

When I am not having spasms, such as during a maintenance enema, I run the water in rather slowly and find that helps me retain more easily in that situation.

The lovely members who gently and obliquely pointed out this could be less than safe were right, so I thought I’d give the details. However, if there’s someone in unbudgeable IBS agony, I did want to share that extra pressure at the right moment can be what you need to end it.

I enjoy a nice slow enema flow rate savoring the feeling of slowly filling up with warm water and watching the enema bag slowly deflate. I have tried faster rates and while sometimes needed to slow the flow rate down due to impending cramps, it is just not as enjoyable experience as a nice slow enema that a slower rtaealso helps for a easy retention even for an extended time period beyond 5-10 minutes. I liken it to sex......"Slam bam thank you maam" make work for guys but for me. I like the slower ramp up and anticipation of reaching the top of the mountain. In other words, enjoy the ride as well as arriving at the destination. But that is just me...others might enjoy the experience differently. Denise