Long deep breaths or very fast short breaths when receiving?

I've always tried to do deep slow breaths when it becomes hard to take any more or you get cramps, but someone posted on the thread asking for beginner advice about panting like a dog.

So I put it to the community, long deep breaths or very fast short breaths when receiving? What works better?

From the first drop until the end of the enema, I breathe in long, deep breaths. This relaxes me and almost completely draws the enema fluid into my bowel.

For me is what works to relax a cramp is a long slow breath in and a long slow breath out. I combine breathing with a gentle massaging of my colon and soon the cramp is relaxing and I am able to start the flow again. You should try both to see what works for you.

For me is what works to relax a cramp is a long slow breath in and a long slow breath out. I combine breathing with a gentle massaging of my colon and soon the cramp is relaxing and I am able to start the flow again. You should try both to see what works for you.

This has always been my method, just curious if anyone is doing the short breaths!

When my Mom gave me enemas when I was a kid she told me to take long, slow, deep breaths through my mouth whenever I felt cramps. It sometimes seemed to help a bit.

I was told by mother to "pant like a dog". Short quick breaths. I don't remember if it helped or not.

Moms generally offered up any techniques (mostly from her past experience) to get that enema water up into your bowels. Then try to make you hold said water.

Experience is the best teacher!!!

Personally I'm for the long and deep, slow.... massaged accordingly.....but I've noticed that the fast and short causes movements that may help dislodge a small obstruction or a gas ball.....the long one expands your insides having the same effect in a different way....I've seen both working, so depends a lot by what the subject is used too...I like the question, I'll ask my patients their input.....

Long deep breaths and a fast flow or the water.

@moms egirl: Moms generally offered up any techniques (mostly from her past experience) to get that enema water up into your bowels.

LOL. I think I heard this during every enema that my mom gave me. What is worse is that I said it to my daughter during every enema that I have given her and I try to practice it myself while taking an enema to this day. It kind of goes along with those other things we learn along the way such as using Ivory, hanging the bag on the back of the bathroom door, and wiggling your toes as you try valiantly to hold the enema just one more minute.

Long deep breats till your chest is completely full, then relax.... and so on

Like I encourage my hospital patients and colon hydrotherapy clients when I administer their enemas, breath deeply and normally through the mouth. It helps to suppress peristalsis to some degree. The myenteric plexus runs the full length of the digestive tract (mouth to anus), and this nerve bundle controls gut movement. The more you can relax this, the easier it makes to hold a given volume of enema solution. Administering the enema solution at body temperature (98.6F - 105F) to very warm also helps to relax the lower digestive tract and soften fecal matter. We also routinely insert rectal tubes and nozzles a little further, about 5 inches, past the lower and middle valves of the rectum where peristalsis is easiest to initiate. It's the main reason a lot of patients aren't able to hold a simple Fleet enema for more than a minute or two, there's pressure inside the rectum only a couple inches in. The phospate solution is also an irritant and often below body temperature.

The term "pant like a puppy" seems to be one of the standard protocol instructions during the 50's and earlier, which makes some sense since it would help create a lot of motion in the lower bowel, thus helping the enema water to more easily bypass stool for a more comfortable fill and an ability to take more enema water with less discomfort. Has anyone else ever heard these instructions for administering an enema?

I have done it both ways but I think deep, slow breathing works better for me.

@Cheryl77177 I have done it both ways but I think deep, slow breathing works better for me.

Me too. I've received enemas from two nurses, and both women coached me to breathe slowly through my mouth. Deep breathing felt more calming, and I think I could retain the enemas longer.

On my own occasionally, I've also tried "puppy panting," and one time I got really dizzy and felt like I was hyper-ventilating. My husband makes me deep-breathe when he's given me enemas.

Well... both. My mother believed an enema should be hot, 115F, have enough Ivory or Castile Soap that the solution was milky cloudy, and should be given with the bag as high as she could hold it, but dropped to hip or chest level as soon as there were any cramps, with a rest period of no backflow, but little further filling, til the cramps subsided, several minutes, at least. From an early age, my mother put a great emphasis on "breathing through your enema", like Lamaze for childbirth, and let me tell you, when my mother gave enemas, there were similarities! The breathing instructions were initiated as soon as she warned me, or my sister, and popped the clamp...

"Do you feel it yet? (The heat... -- she had the bag low near her waist)

"N... N... No... not yet."

"How about now?" (The Bag went up to her shoulder height)

"Ohh... oh... yes, mom, I feel it, it's hot!"

"Ok, lets get this enema in you where it can do you some good! Now take slow deep breaths, in and out... " (she would have raised the bag high above her head, and she was 5'9", and typically I was sitting/leaning forward, almost standing, or lifting myself off the toilet, under the flow.)

"Owwwww... mom, I'm cramping... it hurts, it hurts! I can't take any more!"

"Yes, you can. Deep breaths, I'm lowering the bag, deep breaths, in and out, slow deep breaths! Let the enema flow higher in you. If you can take more now, you might not need as many enemas now, or another series tonight or in the morning." Deep breaths!"

After I was older, she might say...

"Keep breathing slow, slow and deep... you are done with the first bag, so I'm adding another quart to the bag, because you're older now, and you need to take as much as you can!"

And later....after several cramps and bag downs and ups...

"OK! You're almost done.."

"Mom, MOM, I can't hold any more!"(I was usually tummy expanded right up to under my ribs)

"Just the last bit, now exhale, let all your air out, and make some room for the last little bit, (she would raise the bag and only an inch could be seen sloshing back and forth)... Pant, pant, exhale all the way out and make some room...

OK, it's all in, lean forward, and I'm taking the nozzle out (always the adult nozzle, as the douche tip was reserved for my mom and sisters feminine needs)

"Now you sit there and hold it for 5 minutes, and don't you release it early! If you have to pant and exhale, do it. Breathe through the pressure, relax. Keep your cheeks clenched tight. If you lose control early, I'll have to give you another Ivory soapsuds enema now, instead of your saline wash! I'll be back in 5 minutes. Don't flush."

So you see, it was slow deep breaths from beginning to end, but exhales and pants at the end to make the little bit of extra room she needed to finish the bag. She practiced both techniques, at different times, and for different reasons!!