Enemas and Diverticulosis

I have diverticulosis, confirmed by both a CT scan and more recently a colonoscopy. Had one attack of diverticulitis in October 2011. Been fine since but occassionally have very mild tenderness in the magic spot on the left side. Goes away after a few hours.

Had my colonoscopy late July 2012 - the surgeon who performed it said everything went well.

Yesterday I saw my family doctor for some follow up. Things look good. I asked him about enemas. He told me straight out that the medical profession is against them. From his perspective, enemas are to be avoided because of pressure and some irritating substances. Being full to the point of cramping and retaining through cycles of cramping is very hard on the colon and dangerous if one has diverticulosis. However, if someone is in the habit of having enemas already it may be possible to acceptably alter their habit by keeping the water pressure low, expelling the water before any cramps and avoiding any irritating substances, saops etc. If this advice is followed the rinsing of fecal material out of the diverticuli could be helpful for diverticulosis. Follow up by orally taking electrolytes and yogurt.

He asked me if I was "an enema enthusiast" and I was honest and spilled my guts with all the details. He said I had the bag way too high [ I used to hang my bag on the shower and lay in the tub]. He said keep the bag no higher than 2 feet off the floor assuming you are laying on the floor or in a tub. Use two clamps - one for on/off and the other to vary the flow. Avoid latex bags for anything more than occassional [once or twice a year use] as the latex exposure could over time make one allergic to latex. Avoid PVC tubing. Open top are easiest to clean, clear silicone is the best for avoiding mold / mildew issues. At the first sign of feeling full, expell, repeat. Avoid cramps. A session should consist of multiple little rinses so there is no pressure, no strain on the colon.

He told me that some level of "enema enthusiam" still exists among medical professionals even today. While they won't recommend it to others, they will use it themselves.

Very interesting,in that my internist told me many years ago that my use of enemas (I, too, told my Dr. about my enema practices)was a good preventitive against diverticulosis and polyps. My last colonoscopy showed the healthy colon of a thirty five year old, andI'm almost seventy. According to my current internist, unfolding the hystra and removing the fecal residue is one of the better things that you can do for colon health (he,too, is an enema enthusiast, which, I'm sure, biases his recomendation). The cautions that he said to observe were: always use an isotonic solution, especially for long term retentions, limit the use of soap or other irritants, such as Fleet or other OTC enema preparations, and if it hurts, don't do it. As to the bacteria in the colon, it is almost impossible to wash out enough to cause a problem, as the bacteria will regenerate to full strength in about three hours.

I had my appendix removed last year and the CT scan I had noted diverticulitis. Didn't know I had it because I never had a flare-up or any other problems in the past. I believe it must run in our family because my father had real trouble with it later in life. I also believe my regular enemas are preventing problems with this condition. It wouldn't surprise me to find out that medical community is well aware that regular enemas will prevent problems with diverticulitis, but the information is surpressed because there's no money in it for the drug companies or service providers.

My Dad has had Diverticulitis for at least 30 years. He has ALWAYS used enemas. I don't think there is much negative impact at all.

My doc told me enemas were good for treating mild diverticulitis and helped the healing process and prevention of flairups.

Klyster3

Back in the fifties, Taber's Medical Encyclopedia said that gentle enemas were highly suggested to keep the diverticula cleaned-out of seeds, nuts, etc. Clogged diverticula can turn into an infection and that's when you get diverticulITIS.

It is well to remember that diverticula are pouches caused by a weakness in the colon walls. That means that the wall thickness is diminished and would more easily be ruptured by high pressure. Go easy on the volume and stay away from irritating solutions if you have diverticulosis.

I had a colonoscopy about a month ago. I am 60 years old. Doctor said that I have very few diverticula which he found amazing for a man of my age. Didn't share anything with him about enema usage (very frequent). My wife was there when he said this so I'll always wonder (she knows about my enemas) if she made the connection.

Seventy years of hi-fiber diet and a regular enema has worked for me. I've slacked off though and no longer do handstands when injecting. 😃

Diverticulosis -- yes, know it well. When a thorough belly massage reveals points of discomforture, out comes the red bag and bar of Ivory, that followed by a good rinse. Among my relatives I've had the fewest polyps. 😄

I was wondering if it is safe to use a colon tube,63fr 40" long made of soft silicone,and inserting it that deep after being diagnosed with diverculosis.

Diverticulosis is exceedingly common. According to numerous reports I've read on the subject, it would seem as if there are indeed very few colons out there that are completely free of any form of diverticulosis. Straining when constipated is a large contributory factor in diverticula "popping" out as bulges in the gut, especially the lower colon. Hence my own logical deduction that, if anything, enemas should contribute to the prevention or hampering the progress of diverticulosis.

Obviously, diverticulosis will be worse in some cases than others, and when the diverticula become inflamed (diverticulitis) it can be anything from uncomfortable to painful for the sufferer. The question is, however, if taking enemas while having diverticulosis is dangerous. And here we have to admit that we don't know. For people with a predisposition to gut perforation, putting ANYTHING into the colon may be dangerous. But then, this type of predisposition is not common at all - in fact, it is very rare. So I would think that for the majority of people, diverticulosis or not, enemas won't be dangerous at all.

My own feeling is that regular enemas actually strengthen the gut muscles and tissue, and that it may even be the solution to prevent conditions such as gut perforation, when done sensibly. And sensibly means listening to your body and pain thresholds, and looking out for signs of trouble, like bleeding, etc.

There is a lot of good information in this discussion. I was diagnosed with diverticulosis during my last colonoscopy (4 years ago). They found one diverticula in my ASCENDING colon, which I gather is rare. Since most are found in the descending colon. My primary care doc told me that the great majority of people my age have diverticula and to just ignore it. As for enemas, I do enjoy them, for both health and pleasure. I think some of the advice in this discussion is good advice. I wouldn't want to antagonize an already weak area of my colon and so using huge enemas (like 3 quarts or more) does not sound like a good idea. Neither does the delivery of an enema with the bag more than 3 or 4 feet above your anus. Admittedly, to get the enema to fill the entire colon, I.e., to reach the cecum at the end of the ascending colon, it will,take 2 to 2.5 liters of water and care must be taken to get there. What I do is to start with a very warm (about 108 degrees-relaxes the colon) 1.5 liter enema lying on my left side with the bag about 2 ft above me. After that enema I take another very warm , 2.5 liter enema, using different positions. Again, with the bag about 2 ft above me, I take about 1 liter on my left side, shut off the flow, get into the knee-chest position for a few minutes to allow the water to move into the transverse colon, then open the clamp to take another liter in that position, and finally lie on my right side for the last of the enema. I find that easily fills the entire colon, with no high pressure and no cramping.

Multiple irrigations used to be recommended in nursing books in the 30's & 40's as a way to keep the diverticula pouches empty. One does have to be aware that these pouches are a thinned, muscle wall weakness and are easily prone to rupture from pressure within the colon, be it from water and anything else. Rupture can easily result in peritonitis, a generalized infection throughout the abdomen and is a serious condition.

I was wondering if glycerin suppositories would do any harm such as making you bleed (happened to me) I suppose thats what it was,coulda been the enema session.Is it safe to do an enema if you are bleeding?

It's generally safe as long as you know where the bleeding is coming from. If it is something superficial like the anus you could continue, but if it has a deep sourcce, you should wait until it heals.

Thanks for the info Susie,it could be a hemmorroid,even tho there is no pain.I was wondering if the suppository triggered it.I made up a homemade one, ingredients are in it in the suppository section.I kinda asked the same question there but no answer in that section.A doctor recommended antibiotic for when a bleeding session starts (Clindamicin) it usually stops it first day.I know it says take it all till gone but I stop after a couple of days,no refills left 😃 and the bleeding stops.

I was drunk the time the apple got stuck in my bottom...I stayed at home cause of the rainnnn...I couldn't even fill up the enema bag..cause my ass felt like a draggg....So I'll hang around if you'll let me...my enema might not kill me my enema might not kil me cuz I have divitercosliiii..!

Man! I sure was drunk when I posted that last message,apparently feelin good too 😃

I recently had my third colonoscopy and was told I had a few diverticula in my descending and sigmoid colon. Since then I have been in a quandary about whether to continue having my occasional enemas. Reading all the posts I can find on ZB by searching "diverticula/diverticulosis/diverticulitis" I see that opinion is divided but biased towards enemas being safe if done with care and only moderate water pressure. Also I notice that some contributors genuinely feel that enemas are helpful in managing the condition. I would welcome any up to date thoughts, particularly on the safety aspect.

Careful with enemas and diverticulosis. Keep the volume low and pressure minimal. Definitely no enemas if you have a bout of diverticulitis.

This original post is three years old, so for this ex-member it's probably a moot subject by now. However, others of you who may have this condition, be smart. There are good sources on this board, but your best source(s) are those physicians who are treating you and know your condition.

Last week i had a bout with diver ticulisos this morning had several enemas with no ill efects. i feel good.

I just am getting over an attack of this now. Wondering if it will ever be safe to indulge in enemas again. Does anyone else have any insight or experience? I hate to think I may not be able to indulge again

Bulbfull,

I would start with a small Enema and see how it does; and then you can slowly work your way back to whatever feels best for you at that particular session.

Dan

I think that diverticular disease is something I would much rather avoid, but at this point I'm not entirely sure of the etiology. It seems as though the consensus is that straining of the colonic muscles is a big factor, which concerns me a bit because of my IBS-C and my recent recurring bouts with hemorrhoids seem to indicate that I'm not managing the constipation well enough.

Obviously ensuring adequate fiber and water are the likely #1 recommendations. I'm not sure about the Mirilax. I've been trying to minimize the use of that, but maybe I need to go ahead and up it.

Turning to the enema question I'm not quite a sure. It would seem that not being too extreme would be a good idea, keeping volumes in the comfortable and reasonable range (which I do). I'm unsure about solutions - I wonder if the more irritating solutions ("full power" SSE or bisacodyl) would be more likely to cause diverticuli to develop because of increased peristalsis/contractions or if it is immaterial?

I'm supposed to have a colonoscopy in 6-8 weeks from now to see what this was all about. But for now the attack is waning. I just never had anything so painfull before. I sure don't want to deal with that again. Still hoping at some point I can indulge in enemas again

For what it's worth, I start every day with a 6 to 8 oz glass of prune juice. I stay regular, and have never had any intestinal issues in 70+ years. I probably should eat more green vegetables than I do, but since I've never had any related issues, I just continue what I'm doing. With the exception of an aspirin occasionally, I stay completely off medications of any kind, and avoid stuff like Mirilax and other similar products. My red meat intake is minimal, and I drink alcohol in moderation. I'd like to lose about 25 lbs, and will work on that this summer when I have to start doing yard work again. I love a good enema, but don't take nearly as many as I would like, because the wife isn't into them at all. She'd rather be miserable than take an enema herself, or give me an enema, so I'm strictly solo when I have the opportunity.

If you have diverticulosis will taking enemas cause you to develop diverticulitis ? In my case I think it did. I was just getting back into doing enemas, (after not doing so for number of years), normally just 2 quarts with Epsom salt when after doing one I developed diverticulitis 2 to 3 days later which resulted in a trip to the ER. After recovering from that bout I did another enema and again 2 to 3 days later had diverticulitis and another trip to the ER. By this time I was seeing a gastroenterologist who performed a colonoscopy. The diverticulosis was bad enough that I had to have surgery to remove about 12” of colon. I asked that doc if enemas were okay given the diverticulosis. He got kind of a sheepish expression and thought it was okay. I think he was caught off guard by the question. On my follow up visit after the surgery I told the surgeon that we were into enema play and asked if enemas were okay. Again I got this startled expression and a reply of “well just don’t use any hot pokers”. Some of the literature I’ve read, (after the fact) here on Zity said not to do enemas if you have Diverticulosis (In my case of having the bag high might have contributed to the problem.) I’ve had other enema experiences and had to see a doctor but could never get a straight answer to my problem (probably because I couldn’t bring myself to tell him the whole story). I would love to find a doctor who had an understanding of us kinksters and was able to give some sound advice without feeling uncomfortable. One final thought, will doing 3-4 quart enemas 2 or 3 times a month cause diverticulosis, or is it truly a matter of diet?

Diverticulosis is formation of diverticuli

Diverticulitis is inflammation of diverticuli

Diverticulosis alone does not require surgery.

I have diverticulosis. Several years ago I had discomfort in the lower left side bowel. My GP speculated I had mild diverticulitis and sent me to a GI specialist. He agreed with the initial diagnosis and said if the discomfort did not lessen after a few days he would prescribe an antibiotic. It got better by itself and I later had a colonoscopy which confirmed "a small diverticuli". I was told to eat more fiber and drink more water. I continued with enemas, being careful on pressure and avoiding strong mixtures on the thought enemas may help keep the pocket cleaned out. And NEVER pushing to have a bowel movement. If I felt I needed one, a small enema of plain warm water always worked. A year later I had another mild episode that went away by itself in a week or so. I continued taking enemas when I wanted to.

This past November I had another colonoscopy. Same diagnosis. The GI doctor (a different one - a lady of maybe 40?) asked about my bowel habits and constipation. I told her I take fiber tablets and do not allow myself to become constipated. She asked what laxative I used. I told her I hate laxatives and much prefer a small enema of plain warm water if I need help. I did not tell her about the coffee enemas. She said she would prefer that I took MiraLax when needed instead of enemas. Don't they all these days?

Anyway - she did not tell me to stop enemas, only that she "preferred" I did not do them. I interpreted that to mean enemas in my case are OK, but just be careful.

I have a friend that was given a poor prognosis with expected colon surgery. She began to eat carrots, apples and cabbage every day and got well without colon surgery.