Fleet bag enema

Curious if anyone knows the timeline or history on this?

I don't other than they disappeared from pharmacy shelves about 20-25 years ago. They were also a part of the Fleet Barium Enema Prep Kit No. 3 if I recall correctly. That disappeared at about the same time.

Don't know the history, but I love these and bought two cases of them on Ebay. I generally attach my own nozzle using a short piece of latex tubing, however. I always have a couple of these with me while traveling as they are small and flat out of the box. And they are great for any enema or implant you might want to do that could stain your favorite enema bag e.g. coffee, wheatgrass, mineral oil, etc. etc. I have so many, I throw them away after a session.

I remember them originally coming with a castile soap packet, but the ones I got (gray and white box) have a chux underpad but no soap. And the prelubricated tip always needs a supplemental lube.

@Miss_Sarah didnt think to look on eBay.

I remember last seeing them around the late ‘80s, maybe early ’90s. Only place I had seen them were at larger Rite-Aid pharmacies. I remember the packet that came with them, and an underpad was included also. No nozzle on the end of a clear plastic tube. The tube was marked with a max insertion line.. That line could really only benefit someone else giving the enema to someone, as it would be hard seeing the line yourself considering where you were putting it 😉.

@Chase

Fleet Bagenemas are rare on eBay. OTOH there are plenty of similar, but somewhat less well made, disposable enema bags for sale. Look for MDI or McKesson or Medline. Any of the disposables work fine and the recipient will surely get their dose of enema solution.

I would surmise that a patent expired, or Fleet quit marketing the Bagenema and Prep Kit for Barium Enemas, due to changes in the suggested preps for GI exams. I had purchased a few of these many years ago and found them rather spendy. Disposable, or one time use, enema bags are still abundantly available, but usually distributed by medical supply concerns. One online source is Vitality Medical Supply. They have a few options that are very reasonably priced. Most still have the castile soap packet. I prefer those that aren't in a box due to the convenience in storing the plastic bagged items. They are very easily packed in a ditty or makeup bag when travelling. They deliver solution very effectively, but don't have the ambience of a traditional enema bag and nozzle.

@sse4fun

There were several disposable enema bags that preceded the Fleet Bagenema. The patent may have expired, but I suspect the Bagenemas were not a big profit center. My guess is slow sales plus Chinese competition killed them.

As to the Fleet Pep kits, the advent of the Miralax / GoLytely / Colyte peps petty much killed them. Not many people want to take Castor Oil or Phosho Soda, then a hefty dose of Dulcolax, then a soapy bagenema. The Fleet preps were quite a moving experience. Even though I like enemas, a Fleet #2 Prep Kit was quite a trial. Sure cleaned me out though.

Fleet Prep Kits ran into a lot of backlash from multiple sources. Foremost were the end users. Doctors and nurses grew weary of hearing, "You want me to stick what, WHERE? None of the oral laxatives were popular either. Many women were not thrilled with the use of Castor Oil as many had endured administration of it during childbirth in younger years. Given the time of action was widely variable, you have to wonder how many times OB's regretted that choice. Phospho-Soda endured a lot of negative PR and continues to encounter blistering warnings due to renal problems when used. So it is not surprising Fleet seemed to abandon that segment of the market.

In the 1970's a pharmacy chain, Dart Drugs was the major corner drugstore in the Northern Virginia area. Fleet Prep Kits were presented on the shelves right along with other oral and rectal laxatives in all of their stores. One competitor to Fleet's Prep Kits was also on the shelf in the laxative section. It included a bottle of Citrate of Mag, four Bisacodyl tablets and two Cee-O-Two (CEO-TWO) suppositories. A pharmacist friend told me that the kits, while not high volume, enjoyed brisk sales.

During my brief employment in a clinical environment it was not unusual for female patients to ask about availability of the Fleet Bagenema which were the dominate enema device in the hospital where I worked. Its popularity was due to the self sealing filling port, ability to lay the filled bag on the bed and resistance to the filled bag rupturing, even if laid upon. Later a similar bagenema product made by Kendall was marketed, but the fold top clamp to seal the bag was difficult to use. Like the Fleet Bagenema, it sealed and prevented leaks, plus resisted rupturing. Many current offerings have much thinner plastic than the Fleet or Kendall bags and seem more prone to unexpected tears or bursts. Price point competition is fierce today and the less expensive products are usually sourced from China.

As others have confirmed as well , I really miss these sturdy , well constructed ‘ disposal enema bags ’ which were in fact very serviceable for many enemas . I traveled the U.S. as a conference presenter during the time these enema syringes were manufactured and the ‘ Fleet BagEnema ’ was perfect for travel . I would purchase one from our local pharmacy and my pharmacist would inquire ‘ where is your next destination ‘ ??? All was pre-TSA airport searches and the boxed enema set fit nicely between my clothing in my luggage . As I recall this ’ Fleet BagEnema ‘ was ’ green ' in color and could deliver a very good enema . Wish they were still around .

I also miss them. In the past I traveled a lot for work and if I did not pack a travel syringe I would often stop at a drug store and buy a Fleet Bagenema. It worked for several uses, not like the flimsy made in China units sold now. Plus I would NEVER use the soap supplied with the Chinese bags, who knows what is in it. But even these Chinese units are not sold in local drug stores any more either. If you are lucky now you might find a combination syringe of 1500 CC capacity with totally kinked and useless tubing!

I would happily do a whole day of soapy enemas then drink that god awful GoLytely ! It is cold ,it is a gallon of awful stuff to get down ,you get so cold you feel like you have hypothermia,your ass is on the toilet for a whole day at least an enema would be warm and you could take your time enjoying it . If they can plan on sending a rocket to Mars with a whole crew aboard you think some rocket scientist could come up with something to prep with and destroy the GoLytely company for good and all .

A Fleet Bagenema was my very first kit. Despite its being marketed as disposable, mine saw regular use for about 13 years and was still in excellent working condition when, fearing its discovery by a cohabiting boyfriend and feeling the invincibility of youth, I threw it out. It was not thanked Marie Kondo-style, because she too would have been 13 at the time, but I did give it a silent farewell. 😊

Sometimes I wonder how long the Bagenema would have soldiered on. It was excellent for a beginner’s use, with enough volume to make things happen and no separate nozzle to detach at awkward moments. It could have become my travel kit had I been braver, and might have gotten me out of several IBS episodes in my 20s when I didn’t yet know what was happening and was generally puzzled I could feel that bad. Were it to hand, I likely would have tried it instead of continuing to suffer, and no doubt it would have outlived the relationship for which I threw it over. But youth is all about poor choices.

RIP, Bagenema, and thank you for your trusty service.

I have fond memories of the Fleet Bagenema too. My first experience was years ago when I was working and my job had occasional travel. If I drove to the place, I would take my own Faultless yellow latex folding syringe. I remember flying and not wanting to chance questions because of my enema bag in my carry-on so I did not take my bag but would go to a local drugstore when I got to where I was going and buy a cheap douche/enema set and often left it in the hotel room garbage can when I checked out.

On one of those trips, I spotted the Fleet Bagenema on the shelf and bought it mostly out of curiosity. It was fun and effective. And it was my first exposure to castile soap in those little packets. Some time later, the Fleet disappeared from drugstore shelves, but one of the local stores had a Kendal brand bag. I actually liked that bag better because of a better (leakproof) closure at the top. I started using those disposable plastic bags for my coffee enemas because the coffee didn't stain them like it did with my latex or rubber bags. They were called disposable, but with a good rinse and cleaning were good for several uses. Now, nobody stocks either one of those anymore. Not enough demand?

@Cheryl77177 I dearly love your "enematales" even though I know they are not "tales" but real experiences. You write so well too.

@Cheryl77177

While not the easy to use like the Fleet Bagenema, a current durable replacement is sold by Coviden. The Coviden device number is 145541. In the US they can be purchased in single piece quantities for $6.00 online at sites like https://www.medicaleshop.com . Walmart sells the bags in lots of five for about $35.00. If you use and discard frequently then purchasing them by the box with 50 each may be more practical.= which lowers the cost per bag. Check the differing vendors for shipping costs as the combination of purchase price and shipping can reduce the per bag cost to around $2.50 per bag.

The bag opening for filling is wide as the bag. Fill it up to the 1500 mL line and then fold the bag at the edge of the rigid plastic hanger attached to the bag. Slide or press on the plastic clamp that seals the bag. It will not leak. You can hang the bag using the hanger, you can lay it on the bed, or simply drape it across your arm to carry it short distances. The clamp can be aggravating for individuals with small hands as it is at times resistant to to snapping or sliding over the folded plastic.

Cleaning and drying the bag and tubing is straight forward. Rinse the bag with clean water and then drain the tubing. Hang the bag inverted with the fill end held open with a piece of cardboard till it dries completely. I use ethanol after rinsing the bag to mix with any remaining water. The alcohol-water mix evaporates much faster when the bag is hung to dry. Buy a bottle of ethanol at the local ABC store. Do not use pharmacy provided isopropyl or other denatured alcohols as they leave chemical residues behind.

Bags similar to the self sealing Fleet Bagenema are made by Amsino (AMSure) and McKeeson. While they do not seem as durable as the legacy Fleet product, the self sealing feature is a convenient feature.

I have also used the Fleet BagEnema and also the Covidian bag that Victoria referred to. There was a time a few years ago when one of the local drugstores would order the Covidian bag for me. If I remember right, I got 4 at a time for about $12. I used them for travel and my coffee enemas at home. Then the personnel at the store changed and they would not order them anymore.

I got one of the best Enemas I ever had from the Bagenema. I was really constipated, away from home at a conference, and totally stopped up. I bought the kit at a Long’s Drugs in Palm Springs, took it back to the hotel room, & filled the bag, added the soap, took my enema, and emptied everything. It wasn’t quite big enough, but the soap made it work really well. I also used a bagenema a few times when giving. I was very satisfied with the results in every case.

I first came upon these in 1980, and found them to be quite serviceable. Back then they came with a small stopper ring on the tube to limit insertion depth, I think it was preset at four inches, but there was a printed scale on the side of the box to adjust the stopper. The scale went to six or eight inches. They also made a variant that included a packet of bisacodyl, it was called a BagEnema with Bisacodyl Prep. It was effective, and came in a yellow and white colored box. They seemed to have limited distribution in the few years they were available.

The estate I’m handling has about 8 fleet bagenemas new in box. I’m selling them off should anyone want one.

I remember seeing these in Albertsons many years ago: probably 1977

I had used them in the past often multiple times. They tended to be poorly constructed so they didn’t last long, maybe 5-10 uses then the bag would rip. I could find them at an independent pharmacy but that pharmacy closed and have not found them again.

Fleet bagenema aren't made anymore. The Prep Kit #2 has also disappeared. I get the disposable bags from Vitality Medical and a few other suppliers. They are usually under 2 bucks plus mail cost.

My guess is the disappearance of the Fleet BagEnema was all about money, as most things are. Big Pharma can make significantly more selling laxatives and other potions, hospitals save by not relying on a time consuming and labor intensive procedure, retail businesses sell more product as opposed to one-time purchases that can be reused and, of course, insurance companies save too.

My introduction to a disposable enema bag was in the summer of 1984. I was receiving post-surgical care at home from a visiting nurse.

I was having terrible constipation from taking pain medication. I still remember when nurse Angie pulled a small box from her backpack and put it on the table next to my bed. On the side of the box in capital letters was the word ENEMA. Until that time, I’d had only one enema that I could remember, from my mom when I was home sick when I was 16. That was not an enjoyable experience at all.

It wasn’t the green and white Fleet “Bagenema” on the table. Another brand that I don’t remember, but what I do recall after all these years is getting very anxious at the size of the bag when Angie hung it by the bed. It was filled with soapy water and looking very ominous. How did they get such a LARGE BAG WITH A LONG TUBE in that small box?

I was pretty freaked out, but Angie calmed me down. She assured me that although I was going to be uncomfortable at first, the enema (and it turned out to be two enemas that I needed), would relieve the constipation. I’d be feeling world’s better, and I actually was. That was my first encounter with a hospital type enema bag.

Two years later, a GI doctor's instructions was to use the Fleet "Bagenema" (available as a Prep Kit at the hospital pharmacy) to prep for a barium enema. I was instructed to take pills in the afternoon before, an enema before going to bed and another enema in the morning. I was EXHAUSTED even before going to the hospital. The procedure was HORRIBLE, although I bought a couple of Fleet disposable bags from the pharmacy to use if needed when I traveled. I could use the bag multiple times, it was well-made. Then it disappeared from my local pharmacy in Portland in the early 90s.

I remember mom using a Fleet bag enema on me. I became very constipated during a long pneumonia illness. I was sick in bed for 8 days taking antibiotics. As I grew better mom asked me if I wanted something for breakfast. At that time my stomach hurt and declined breakfast.

Mom asked me when was the last time i had a bowel movement. I told her the last time was before my illness.

Mom said she was going to the drug store to buy something that would help me. When she came back I heard water running in the bathroom then she entered my bedroom carrying the full soapy Fleet bag and a towel. She told me to roll over to my left side and pull down my pajama bottoms telling me that an enema would make me feel better.

I rolled over and lowered my bottoms as mom hung the bag on the bed post. I became embarrassed as i felt her lift my cheek exposing my anus then feeling her inserting the clear tube into my rectum. She then told me to take deep breaths as I felt the warm solution entering me. After 15 minutes I took the whole bag but had to hold the enema for 10 minutes. I could hardly hold the enema as the soap was causing strong cramps. Finally, I was allowed to empty my bowels. Mom inspected the toilet after emptying my bowels and she told me that she was going to give me another enema to make sure the hard stools are eliminated. She gave the enema to me but this time she inserted the clear tube what seemed like the tube was inserted up to my tummy. I asked mom how far she inserted the tube to which she said that I need a high enema and the tube was inserted 20 inches.

I did feel a lot better after thge enemas. Mom did use the bag a number of times on me after that first cleanout with the bag.

I posted before about an enema in the hospital, prior to discharge, where the nurse told my mom I was very cooperative for the enema. She also told mom she had put the enema bag in my belongings to go home with me. We had real enema bags at home and mom suggested throwing the "Fleet" enema bag away. I kept it and hid it for my own use. The only downside was not using the douche nozzle, but the tubing could be inserted much further.