Do fleets really soften things up or not?

I grew up with the fleets. I’m not exactly sure of the mechanics but I think they don’t really soften the poo they just make you want to push it out? Is that correct? Any theories as to why they are so popular among parents To use if they don’t soften things up? is it just because they work faster than say an oral solution?

The are convenient and they work faster than most normal oral laxatives.

The are convenient and they work faster than most normal oral laxatives.

You mean you don’t drink them?

@Chase

You are correct. The standard saline Fleet enemas do essentially nothing to soften hard poo. They work OK if a person is not really constipated and hasn't pood in about 3 or 4 days because they usually cause a strong urge to push within about 15 minutes. They are probably the fastest way to relieve routine constipation. Their action may not be comfortable, but it does result in a prompt poo.

If the person is severely constipated a Fleet Mineral Oil enema, given at bedtime and retained overnight, can soften hard poo. These cause very little urge to poo, but sometimes feel like a fart is imminent, which can produce an oily, stinky mess.

IMO, they are popular because they work quickly and require little or no preparation and no cleanup and work promptly. That's why hospitals now tend to use them… nursing time is money… . Also the Fleet Company has spent a lot of money advertising them over the last 50-odd years.

If you want a comfortable assist to poo, use a plain water enema. You don't need to take a huge bag full. First try 8 to 16 Oz of warm water and retain as long as you can. If you can hold the water for a half hour or more, the resulting poo should be far more comfortable than from a Fleet. Take your water slowly so as not to prompt an evacuation before the water has time to soften poo.

I’ve loved enemas for 50 years,but gave up Fleet enemas years ago because they were so harsh and uncomfortable to my anorectal tissues. The last 2 Fleet prefilled bottles I had were dumpe$ out and filled with plain water. Now those 2 I enjoyed.

Eric

I grew up with the fleets. I’m not exactly sure of the mechanics but I think they don’t really soften the poo they just make you want to push it out? Is that correct? Any theories as to why they are so popular among parents To use if they don’t soften things up? is it just because they work faster than say an oral solution?

A Google search came up with this to explain how a fleet works.

Fleet enemas work as hyper-osmotic laxative that absorbs water into the gastrointestinal tract.

They are probably quick and a bit easier to use to solve a constipation problem.

The are convenient and they work faster than most normal oral laxatives.

You mean you don’t drink them?

Please gwhap, tell us how well the work orally. 😁😁

@Edevotee

On drinking Fleet enemas:

Fleet enema contains:

Monobasic Sodium Phosphate 19 g, Saline Laxative - Dibasic Sodium Phosphate 7 g, Saline Laxative

Fleet Phospho Soda contains:

sodium phosphate monobasic 21.6g and sodium phosphate dibasic 8.1g. per 45m dose.

So a Fleet enema has slightly less of the exact same ingredients as a full adult dose of Phospho Soda laxative. Since the laxative is still available, but must be used with caution, why bother drinking the enema??

People just like to spend their money because of something advertised. A simple bulb syringe of warm water, or a couple of bulbs will take care of the same problem. The only money spent would be for the one time cost of the syringe. Besides, “they” claim sodium isn't good for a person.

Dan

Fleets work by pulling the water out of your intestines. For this reason they can be very crampy and hard to hold. Diluting them with water seems to multiply the effect. I think a quick bag of warm water is a lot easier to take but the fleets are convenient if nothing else.

As far as drinking one YUCK!

I don’t know but I do know I took 3 fleets and I only made it one minute with it inside of me. I was down stairs I had to expell onto one of my floor rugs. I couldn’t make it to the toilet fast enough.

Sean, it was a joke started by gwhap not me!

@Edevotee

Joke or not, it is possible to drink a Fleet saline enema and, yes, it will make you poo pretty quickly, jusy like a dose of Phospho Soda.

@Moppys_jalopy

While in theory, a Fleet is hypoosmotic (and draws water into your bowel from the body tissues), I don't think a Fleet enema is retained long enough for this effect to draw much water into your bowel.

@iffer

While sodium is a concern for some people, the phosphorous content of Phospho Soda may well be a bigger concern for some…. those with kidney issues, for example. This is especially the case if not enough water is taken with the oral laxative dose.

All:

I agree fully that a bulb of warm water, retained until the urge to poo happens, works just as well as a Fleet. It's what I've used for many years and works well.

They can do a lot better than “soften things up”. The whole secret to getting good results from a Fleet Enema is to ignore the “usually 2-5 minutes” on the label and treat it like any other enema. Hold it until you can't, and stay in position until that time comes!

To really soften things up do a mineral oil enema before bed and retain overnight then the next morning use a regular fleet to remove the now lubricated softened mass .

I have seen a fleet ordered po (by mouth) of a full size regular fleet. Only saw that in renaldialysis.

Yes, a Fleet Mineral Oil enema will 'soften things up' but within limits.

These are best given, warmed to a couple of degrees above body temperature so as to minimize the urge to poo immediately. Ideally, the enema should be given with the recipient in the knee-chest position because gravity will help the oil go as high as possible in the recipient, and that position should be retained for a few minutes after injection, but that is hard. It's also hard to squeeze the enema in without a helper. The left lying position works pretty well as an alternative.

The predominant feeling with these enema is not an immediate urge to poo, but it often feels like you need to fart. Don't be fooled. If you do release a 'fart', odds are you'll expel stinky oil.

These enema should be taken last thing before you go to sleep while you're lying in bed. If you get up, odds are yoiu'll leak oil. The bed should be protected with a pad or you can wear a diaper. If taken as describes, they usually stay in completely overnight.

In the morning, don't expect an urge to poo. You probably won't feel one. The mineral oil does a couple of things: it somewhat softens the poo and it makes the colon very slippery. The softening will not be dramatic. Hard poo won't be turned to slush, but more like mashed potatoes. The lubrication will make even hard poo slip out, usually without straining. As the poo comes out it will usually sweep out most of the oil.

I have seen a fleet ordered po (by mouth) of a full size regular fleet. Only saw that in renaldialysis.

That surprises me beyond belief. Sodium phosphate oral laxatives were pulled from the market because of possible renal failure, though I guess with someone in dialysis that may not be something they're overly concerned with. Still with the many different options available that don't have that risk why not use PEG, Mg citrate, heck even Epsom salts.