Colonic irrigation side effects: What have you experienced?

I'd like to make a topic for people to share any and all side effects they've experienced during or after a session of colonic irrigation. I'm asking for people who have had this done in a professional environment, and it could be either an open or closed system (and please specify which you had). If you've had any odd effects -- dizziness, a spacey feeling, fainting, nausea, vomiting, odd discharges, bleeding, infections, or anything else -- please feel free to detail your experience. Thanks a lot.

I have gotten too much Epsom Salt.

Nausea next morning. Even lost my breakfast oince, and could not eat breakfast another time.

I have gotten too much Epsom Salt. Nausea next morning. Even lost my breakfast oince, and could not eat breakfast another time.

Lisa, I am certain that Unsure is asking about colonic irrigations done by a therapist using open or closed colonic irrigation equipment, which uses only plain water. He isn't asking about enemas composed of various recipes.

Unsure: I have had about 60 or so in my life (I like the pampering with a closed system irrigation) and have never had any side effects.

I had closed system irrigations done twice a few years ago. I'm very glad I didn't drive myself to the appointments because both times I left in a bit of a daze. I can only compare my state of mind/body at that time to a few times that I've been on meds like valium.

That fuzz lasted pretty much the rest of the day. When I got home, there was an almost constant low state of arousal (well, except for times when I raised it by hand!).

I did a web search on colon cleansing side effects. Below is a copy and paste of one web page. It goes along with what someof y'all have experienced.

Colon Perforation

Similar to [color=#000000]co[/color][color=#0027aa]lon [/color][color=#0027aa]cleansing side effect[/color][color=#000000] perforation of the colonic walls is an adverse effect of colonic irrigation. The colonic and rectal linings are very sensitive to stimuli. Hence, insertion of device in the rectum and infusing a large of warm water may cause damage and injury to the walls. In case of a high water pressure, perforation of the colon walls occur, which in turn can lead to infections.[/color]

[color=#000000][b]Electrolyte Imbalances[/b][/color]

[color=#000000]During the colonic irrigation procedure, the infused water is pumped out and this cycle is continued for several times. While doing so, electrolytes like sodium, potassium present in the bowel are expelled out. Also, after the session is completed, a large amount of body fluid is passed out, resulting in electrolyte imbalance.[/color]

[color=#000000][b]Infections[/b][/color]

[color=#000000]Another commonly observed colonic irrigation side effect is an infection, which is resulted due to usage of contaminated devices and tools. Considering this, the equipment utilized during colonic irrigation should be sterilized properly. Infections can also be resulted due to loss of beneficial microbes from the body. [/color]

[color=#000000][b]Body Dehydration[/b][/color]

[color=#000000]As lots of bodily fluids are wasted during and after the colonic irrigation procedure, the body may become dehydrated, resulting in several weakness symptoms. Overall, tiredness and activity intolerance are observed after undergoing a colonic irrigation procedure.[/color]

[color=#000000][b]Allergic Reactions[/b][/color]

[color=#000000]In a colonic irrigation session, the health specialist may use certain herbs that are known to promote body [url=http://www.buzzle.com/articles/detoxification/][u]detoxification[/u][/url][/color][/u][/url]. If the candidate is allergic to any of such herbs, then allergic reactions are manifested after the procedure. In order to avoid such complications, the candidate should discuss with the practitioner regarding sensitivity to particular herbs.

These are all POSSIBILITIES but not likely.

If things like colon perforation, infection, or allergic reactions were to happen with an occurrence of more than one a year per state (and even then I bet the health department would go on a witch hunt), I am certain the health departments or in New York, the department of education would do their best to shut these down.

The fact is, these things are more likely to happen at home while people are playing, than at a colonic irrigation office.

It looks to me like what some posters have described is electrolyte imbalance. Am I wrong?

By the way, I did copy and paste the information below. I thought it needed to be said. Is that against the rules?

No, you're fine. Once in a great while it's OK. Just don't make it a habit! 😁

On rare occasion, people MIGHT have an electrolyte imbalance, but that is really only likely in people who have (and KNOW THEY HAVE) kidney or other endocrine disorders.

If that was really a problem, colon irrigation clinics and all the players here would be dead or at least have head their fair share of enema related trips to the ER.

Keep in mind what happens when you drink 2 quarts of water. You absorb 100% of it. With enemas, you don't absorb that much, and you don't really lose that many electrolytes by osmosis into the colon either. Certainly not enough to cause a problem. Look, we're all still here doing our (many) enemas and we don't have people landing in the hospital.

No, you're fine. Once in a great while it's OK. Just don't make it a habit! 😁

Oh good! I thought I needed to go to confession!!! LOL!!!

And I'm not worried about points unless they come with a free enema 😄 LOL!!!

Seriously though, I wonder what's cause those symptoms some posters complained about.

^^^^ We have a few worry-warts here.

I suppose even if you are in good health, if you spend all day long taking enemas AND not eating anything that would give you calories and minerals (electrolytes) you could get an imbalance.

BUT STILL, have you heard anyone here saying they had to go to the ER or suffered harm from their playful plain water enemas?

I have never had any side effects. I go for a colonic once a month, my favourite therapist is a two hour train ride away, but in all I've been treated by six wonderful ladies and I've always come away "walking on air". I absolutely understand why Princess Di went once a week. If only I had the time and money!

Thanks, folks, for your replies. Even with all your reassurances, I'm still scared about it. The reason for this is the first bag enema I gave myself, over three years ago. Just from that nearly two quarts of plain water, I felt dizzy, light-headed and almost fainted, a sensation which lasted well into the next day. While I'm desperate to get a colonic, this experience gives me pause, as a colonic would be many times that amount of water.

I had two gravity-fed colonics over ten years ago (from a woman who worked above her husband's chiropractic office), but I don't believe they were performed correctly. The exhaust was not raised or blocked off so that water would only go into me; it was possible for the water to flow right back out through the exhaust. I had no feelings of fullness and no after-effects. I have spoken to a colon hydrotherapist who uses a closed machine, and expressed my concerns. To my annoyance, she didn't give any of my worries credence, even seeming to put me down for having those fears. You're right, Susie, that if people had such problems, the colonic industry would be shut down. But I guess I am a "worry wart".

For something which is so important, and so intimate, you must be 100% happy about the proceedure and the person doing it before you embark. Here in the UK we have ARCH who regulate the profession but every therapist is different and they all have their foibles. Wait until you find a therapist who is prepared to talk through your fears before you allow her access to your colon. The lady I prefer to see is an absolute hunny and I would trust her with my life. We have discussed my sexuality and a range of other normally "no-no" asepcts. I've told her that she is never going to be allowed to close up her practice!

Well I have had quite a few professionally give closed drainage colonics and apart from passing copious amounts of urine afterwards, the only sensation I can report is a feeling of lightness and a comfortable sensation in the abdomen which is missing when my colon is full. I have had a session of professioally given enemas when I had to call a halt after about three of them, three quart soapy ones because I became very hot and sweaty. The room was rather warm and I presume I absorbed extra heat from the warm water but no other detrimental effects and again the delightful feeling of an empty colon and no gas!

Incidentally does anyone else find that they drain better when soap is added compared to plain water. With the latter I have to stay on the loo a long time and usually drain a few times afterwards but with soap ( Dr Bronners Peppermint for choice) I drain much faster and am usually well emptied in one go

Lisa, I thought that colonic places could only use tap filtered water. Your therapist used salts?

After reading tons of accounts and your comments, I still don't know what to believe about colonics. So many divergent opinions and experiences exist of them, and it's impossible to know how they will affect one personally. I don't know if it's something I feel comfortable just trying to find out what will happen; I've read enough bad accounts that they have scared me away. I have a CRAVING to experience some elements of them, such as the preparation and anticipation, the discussion with the therapist (preferably an attractive one about whom I can fantasize receiving colonics herself), the disrobing and exposure of my buttocks, laying on an absorbent pad, the insertion of the tube and the building pressure as water flows in. That all gets me very excited, and it's what I liked best about the poorly performed gravity colonics I had years ago (except for the pressure; I felt none during those procedures). However, I don't know if it's worth the possible side effects to go for a machine or LIBBE colonic.

Some people say that the colonic had no effect on them, that they felt nothing from it. Others describe bizarre side effects such as nausea, fainting and even a rash that spread over the ensuing weeks. Why such differing experiences? I don't get it.

I have had several professional therapists treat me and never had any adverse reaction. Sometimes it did take a while to drain after the speculum was removed. I found this a good time to relax and think about the experience which I just had. A person with blood pressure problems, (low or high,) or a metabolic disorder like kidney disease should really discuss colonic irrigation with their heath care provider before starting colonic irrigation. Unsure, the only way to make a decision is to go to a professional therapists and discuss your concerns and then try a few treatments. Most therapists, (all that I have asked,) are willing to discuss the treatment and possible side effects.

I had a closed system colonic about 6 weeks ago. Absolutely no unwanted side effects, although it sure did clean me out. That felt pretty good as well! As StephenS said above, talk to your prospective therapist first. You need good vibes there first.

The only side affect that I ever got was 100% more energy, feeling lighter, ready to take on the world, and personal conversation with the therapist about enemas.

StephenS--I'm actually wondering if I have low blood pressure, and whether this may be a reason I felt the alarming effects after my first bag enema a few years ago. I don't go to a doctor regularly, and perhaps I should have myself checked out more thoroughly before I even consider trying a colonic.

Unsure-[color=#ff0000;]very[/color] good idea.

D was telling me that she has a number of muslim clients who come for a colonic before Eid al-Adha. She was impressed but some imply this is actually a requirement!

I have a little home made gravity setup that has valves to control the inflow and outflow. Usually do about 5 gallons of water and I have never had a bad side effects. Gets the kidneys working a little overtime sometimes.

I recall reading something about intra-colonic pressure and its effects, but not all of the details. I believe it was on this forum. It said something about pressure inside the colon affecting blood pressure, causing it to spike. Does anyone know if this is the case?

I have had several colonics by professionals and have never had any side effects.

I do colonics at home and have not had any bad side effects either. they do always leave me in an aroused state.