Splenda enema

Note: this is a relatively expensive enema.

That being said, one of the ingredients in splenda packets is sorbitol, which by itself can produce a good cleansing either taken orally or rectally.

I did some rough calculations and used 1 cup of splenda in a liter of warm water.

It went in very easily as an enema; in about 45 minutes lots of "gurgling" and gas sensations followed by a real need to evacuate. An interesting enema experience; however, a70% solution of sorbitol is much less expensive. A liter of sorbitol is under $12 from Amazon.

I used to call on a general surgeon in a small town who did colonoscopies. He had his patients drink large amounts of mannitol, like drinking the usual PEG solutions for a clean out. I have no idea what the cost is, but I know mannitol will cause diarrhea in IBS-D patients, if they eat too many candies or gums with mannitol as the artificial sweetener. Maybe sorbitol costs much more than mannitol..

Prior to the development of the Polyethylene Glycol and electrolyte solution products like Colyte® and Golytey the standard preparation for colonoscopy involved drinking very large quantities of mannitol solution (6-12 liters). It was very unpleasant and absent the electrolytes it tended to cause serious electrolyte imbalances that meant many patients simply could not tolerate the prep.

Mannitol and Sorbitol are isomers (they have the same chemical formula, but the atoms are arranged differently). Mannitol has some other uses, which is why are more likely to find it in a hospital pharmacy than sorbitol. Given orally in sufficient quantity, both are very effective osmotic laxatives. They key to the laxative effect is the body lacks enzymes to break down either, and the molecules is too large to be absorbed across the bowel wall, creating significant osmotic pressure, That causes water to flow into the bowel (or prevents water from being absorbed from the bowel), leading to the same results as modern PEG-electrolyte solutions..

I wouldn't worry too much about electrolyte imbalance from using it in an enema. It isn't going to be inside you for very long.

Just make sure you don't react to Splenda when you eat it. I would think a similar reaction could happen if put up the bum in an enema.

Wow! This is one of the things I love about zity. Anytime there is a question about chemistry involving the gut, we have folks like Mattheww50 to give us DETAILED info. about the subject.

I did some rough calculations and used 1 cup of splenda in a liter of warm water. It went in very easily as an enema; in about 45 minutes lots of "gurgling" and gas sensations followed by a real need to evacuate.

I'd be curious to know if you had any other less desirable side effects like nausea or lightheadedness. I find this can be the case with a Mayo enema (1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1/4 cup baking soda in about a quart to 1 1/2 qt solution) if I mix it too strong or I'm on an empty stomach.

In reply to Agasmic

I did not experience any nausea or lightheadedness; however, I am a bit concerned about electrolyte imbalance if several of these enemas are taken?

Maybe drink some Gatorade?

A splendid splenda enema, anyone?

I am a bit concerned about electrolyte imbalance if several of these enemas are taken?

Maybe drink some Gatorade?

Would you have the same concern with an equal number of tap water enemas? In either case you're dealing with a solution on one side of the intestine that has no sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, magnesium, etc. If you wouldn't be worried about the tap water enemas then you probably shouldn't worry too much about the *ose enemas.

If you take the solution orally then it is in the gut for a much longer time than it is as an enema.