Haven't done this in a couple of years, having gone through pregnancy and breast feeding in that time, but not so long ago, I would do this 2-3 occasionally 4 times a year!
How do I do a total System Cleanout?
How Often? I only do a system cleanout 3 or occasionally 4 times a year. Recently, I have gone as long as 7 months without a total cleanout. I would say that the number of enemas I was taking probably peaked a couple of years ago.
As for total system cleanouts, I plan them in advance. I clear the schedule for as many hours as I can, from the late afternoon of the day before the cleanout to the early morning of the day after. That way I can take as long as it takes and I don't have to worry about a schedule. I use my use-or-lose personal days at work to get the time!
As for the sequence, yes, there is a sequence and for a total system cleanout it is this:
I try to prepare the jugs of soapsuds at least a couple of days in advance.
I eat a light lunch the day before, usually I try to eat low-fiber food, and not too much of it for lunch. About half what I normally eat. For dinner, liquids only, no dairy products, or alcohol.
No snacking. I am a strict non-smoker, and I try to avoid second-hand smoke where I can.
Morning of enema: I start by waking up anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour early. I quickly shower, throw some cloths on and walk the dog. As soon as the dog is satisfied, I go into the kitchen and get the Pyrex 1 cup measuring cup, and the measuring spoons. I carry them into the bathroom. Then I get into the linen closet and get out some extra towels, including a big beach towel. I cover all of the important pieces in the bedroom with towels, in case anything splatters from the hanging enema bag. I then also put out two washcloths, one on the night table beside the bed, and another on the bed. I adjust the pillows so that the thicker of the two is just forward of the middle, and the lower, just forward of it. I place a beach towel over the bed, in case there are any dribbles, from the bag or from the rectum. I used to use 2 older drug store style 2qt bags, but lately, I have been using one of those, and one 3qt davol-style bag, with a hose made of surgical tubing, and a flaired applicator. I started using that after I purchased a 4-qt Great White open-top. I set the 4-qt open-top aside for now. I then get out the containers of soapsuds, and the Epsom Salt, and set them on the vanity in the bathroom. I then set up the pre-enema. I wash my hands thoroughly here. There are several approaches I can take. The preferred method is a Fleet Bysacodyl Enema, 4 Dulcolax tablets on the washcloth, and one glyceryn suppository. I place a tube of KY Jelly on the night table as well, within easy arm's reach. If I don't have the Fleet Bysacodyl Enema, then I place a local drug store's house brand Bysacodyl Suppository on the washcloth next to the glycerin suppository. An alternative is 2 Dulcolax tablets and a second Bysacodyl Suppository I get a stadium cup full of water, use that water to take 4 Dulcolax tablets, and drink as much of the rest of the water as I can
I have a digital clock on my night table, and I verify that it is positioned so that I can see it from the knee-chest position without my glasses.
I then take off my shoes, at least, usually strip to my underwear. Go back into the bathroom, and get on the scale. I use the weight I'm at at that moment to measure the Epsom Salt. I then measure out the correct dose of Epsom Salt, and use a funnel to get it into the 3-qt bag. I measure it out a second time and put that in the two-quart bag. I then get the air out of the hoses. For the hose that fits the 2qt bag, this is done by simply turning the faucet on slow, holding the end that the applicator fits on over the toilet, and the end that goes in the bag under the running faucet. When the flow is constant, I close the valve. The 3qt bag is harder. I have to fill a stadium cup, put the end in the cup, suck until I feel water in my mouth, and close the valve. I spit out that water. Then I take one of the jugs of soapy water, shake it up good, and pour some in each bag. I alternate between the two bags, so that the thickness of the soap should be about the same for each bag. I do that until both bags look about half full. Unfortunately, the only faucets I have where the bag can hang free are the bathtub and the kitchen sink. I kneel down by the bathtub holding one of the bags. I let the water run until it is as hot as it gets. Since there are no children here, I have the water heater set very hot. I fill the bag with hot water until it is just slightly over the threads for the hose. I attach the hose, trying to introduce as little air as possible. I do the same thing with the second bag. I take the 3-qt bag into the bedroom, and place it on the bed. I go get the 2 qt bag and place it on the chair in the corner. I get the stepstool and place it at the foot of the bed. I then remove my panties and put on a knee-length dorm shirt. Most of the time, I leave my bra on .I usually wear a simple cross-over. I save the underwire for the office, and evening. I go in the bathroom and pee. I then take the 3qt bag by the hook, climb up the stepstool, and hang it from the swage hook I put in the ceiling when I moved in.. I consider this the "point of no return" when there is no changing the sequence of the procedure. I then kneel down beside the bed. I spread my legs, and insert the glyceryn suppository as high into my rectum as I can using only my finger. Often, I get poop on my finger, and I use the washcloth to wipe it off. If I have the Bysacodyl Enema, I shake it gently per the instructions.
If I am using the Bysacodyl Suppository, I stand up, put the flaired applicator on the 3qt bag, and place it on another washcloth on the bed. Then, after about 5 minutes, I kneel down again, and insert the Byascodyl Suppository. One reason I prefer the Byascodyl Enema is that it is a liquid. Bysacodyl only works when it makes contact with the walls of the rectum, so the proper way to take a Bysacodyl Suppository is to turn it sideways, or push it over to one side, so that it touches the wall of the rectum. When you are self-administering, this is not easy! I make sure to wait 10 minutes or so for that suppository to start to dissolve. I usually get a slight burning to the rectum, nothing severe, and most of the time so mild I would ignore it any other time.
If I have the Bysacodyl Enema, I get on the bed; get into the knee-chest position with my knees on one pillow, my chest on the other, and my head on the fitted sheet over the mattress. I then insert the Bysacodyl Enema, and squeeze until it is totally flat. I quickly remove it, and just drop it on the floor beside the bed. I then take the nozzle from the 3qt enema, and I slowly insert it into my rectum. I make sure I have it pointed at the navel. Placing the other hand on the navel is sometimes necessary to make sure of this. Since it is the flared type applicator, slipping out is usually not a problem. I also make sure I have it inserted all the way. I get my other hand away from my tummy, and find a comfortable position for it. I take a few moments to relax as much as I can. Sometimes, one or two deep breaths can help. I note the time on the clock, I place my hand on the valve. I take a deep breath. Then I breathe in, open the valve, and breathe out. It usually takes a few seconds for that last air bubble to get to the bag and to get the fluid flowing. I can feel the fluid filling me, but it's not usually painful. When it is, the pain is slight and does not last long. The flow, with my bowel still full of poop, is about a quart per minute. After three minutes I look up and check if the bag is completely flat. Usually it is, if not, I wait until it is. I then close the valve, but leave the applicator in me. For the next 15 minutes, I'm on what I call the "Roller Coaster" I get these urges to evacuate every few minutes. Some are so intense I have to do some deep breathing, and/or kick my feet up and down a little in order to retain it any longer. Another thing that helps is to keep an old washcloth in easy reach that I can bite down on if the going gets too rough. There always comes a time, after about 15 minutes where the urge is so strong, I just have to run to the toilet. If possible, I try to unhook the empty enema bag and take it with me, but sometimes I leave it behind. When I sit down on the toilet, and remove the applicator, I just relax, and let it do what it's going to do. What it usually does is hit me with a large, watery, chunk-filled movement right away. This happens very fast. When it stops, I often feel some nausea, but I have not vomited since I've been on my own. I have the empty trashcan at the ready just in case!
Over the next 20 minutes or so, I get a series of loose, increasingly watery movements, often with little warning. I try to stay on the toilet the whole time since things are so unpredictable. Once I stop having movements, I get up, re-fill the 3qt bag with soapsuds only, no more Epsom Salt, in the same way as before. I then carry it into the bedroom. I get the 2qt bag I filled earlier, and hang it over the bed. I place the 3qt bag on the chair where the 2qt bag had been. I then just lie on the bed and do nothing for at least 20 minutes or so, often much more. It is typically about an hour after the first enema began that I get back into position, but always at least 15 minutes after any movements. During this time I sometimes feel an urge to evacuate. If I do, I head for the toilet, and try to push gently and pass anything that is ready to come out. I try to drink as much water as I can stand and I don't hold back if my body wants to pee, as it often does. Sooo sometime at least an hour, and often as much as two hours after the first enema, I get into position, and take the second enema, in the same manor as the first, only without any additional suppositories, or additional Bysacodyl. I have the KY Jelly at the ready in case the insertion is difficult. I often need a dab on the applicator itself, because my mucous membrane is now completely gone. Since this is the drug store style straight applicator, the KY jelly has to go on the applicator, and not too much of it, or it will slip out!
The second enema is the worst of the series. It ALWAYS has a difficult time going in, and the Roller Coaster is speeding often before it's all in. Sometimes, I even need to stop it for a minute, catch my breath (literally) and resume. I never make fifteen minutes on the second enema. If I get it to 7 minutes I'm happy, If I get it to 10, I consider that a complete success. There have been situations in which I took it too soon, or was too nervous when I took it, and I didn't retain. I had to expel and start over. I've learned to control my emotions now and that hasn't happened lately.
The second enema usually comes out all at once, but it ALWAYS comes out brown. I again lol around for a while after the second enema. I monitor myself for light-headedness, or feeling like I'm going to pass out. I can avoid fainting if I try, but I often have to work at it. I wait until I feel OK before attempting the third enema. That is usually an hour to an hour and a half, but it can be more, or less. Remember, the third enema is 3qt soapsuds only. The Third enema is usually the easiest. I have gotten a clear return on the third enema, but normally I don't It usually takes one or two more 3qt soapsuds enemas to get to a clear return. I've had it take more than that. If I don't get a clear return after about the 5th or 6th enema, I always consider taking the Phoso-Soda at that point. Certainly, if I have gotten to the 7th enema, and not gotten a clear return (That's happened about once, and I confess, I rushed the prep!) I go ahead with the Phoso-Soda at that point.
Once at a clear return, I then get out the 4qt bag, fill it with soapsuds and hot water so that the mixture is warm. I use the Simms Position with my butt elevated a little by a pillow. I use the 5-inch long "barium" applicator, which is essentially a 19th century douche applicator with the last 1/8th of an inch cut off. I insert it all the way. Again it is important to relax, and take a couple of deep breaths. I breathe in, open the valve, and breathe out, just as I do for any other enema. There is some pain, and occasionally a little leakage around the applicator. I usually get the whole 4qt enema in, however. I leave the valve open, even after it's all in, and make sure to hold my position. I'm tall for a woman, 5'11. I get it all in and my belly is distended like being about 4 or 5 months pregnant. It usually does not stay in long, typically about 6 or 7 minutes is it, I keep a dishpan ready in case I vomit. That has happened once, when I was a little too determined to hold it. When I can't possibly hold it any more, and I'm getting a little nausea, I get up, unhook the bag, and hold it above my head as I walk fast to the bathroom. I place the bag in the bathtub with the open end close to the drain, but not so close that anything can run out without my seeing it. I relax and let it flow. It comes out yellow, often with small scraps of undigested food. When that flow stops I remove the applicator and sit on the toilet. I usually pass two or three more movements, with each one getting progressively less yellow than the one before. Usually, the last movement is just clear soapsuds.
I have learned the hard way to kneel in front of the toilet when you drink Phoso-Soda or Magnesium Citrate,This is because the "ginger lemon" flavored version of the stuff tastes so bad, you can throw it up immediately, with no warning. I try to use the unflavored if I can get it, because it is very salty tasting, but nothing I can't deal with. That said, I still kneel in front of the toilet, with a large cup of water in one hand and the Phos-Soda, just out of the fridge in the other. I take it slow. A sip of Phoso-Soda, and a sip of water, then wait for the gag reflex. Keep it in if you can! I usually can, but no guarantees. It usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes to get 90ml down. After I get the last of it down, I wait a minute, and drink as much of the water as I can. If I vomit, I wait two hours after I last vomited and take a bottle of Magnesium Citrate. So far, I've vomited exactly twice in quite a few years of doing it this way, but I always stay prepared.
Every case where I have vomited has been trying to use the "pleasant ginger lemmon" flavor of the Phoso-Soda. I have NEVER vomited the unflavored!
I go lie on the bed for at least 45 minutes. Then the Bowel Movements start up again. They usually run yellow, and smelling more like vomit than poop.
That's the end of the procedure, I drink some Gatoraide, I get dressed after I feel good enough. I stay near the house for the next 6-8 hours, and I wait at least 2-3 hours before I eat anything. I can have another movement any time with little warning for the next 12 hours, and when it comes on, it has to come out quickly, so I can't wait too long to get to a toilet. I've stained the panties a time or two walking the dog 3 or 4 hours later. I have found that I can eat a little bit after about 3 hours, but it's better to wait 4 if I can since if I wait less, what I eat usually comes out undigested 45-90 minutes after I eat it!!