Fleet bag enema

Curious if anyone knows the timeline or history on this?

I don't other than they disappeared from pharmacy shelves about 20-25 years ago. They were also a part of the Fleet Barium Enema Prep Kit No. 3 if I recall correctly. That disappeared at about the same time.

Don't know the history, but I love these and bought two cases of them on Ebay. I generally attach my own nozzle using a short piece of latex tubing, however. I always have a couple of these with me while traveling as they are small and flat out of the box. And they are great for any enema or implant you might want to do that could stain your favorite enema bag e.g. coffee, wheatgrass, mineral oil, etc. etc. I have so many, I throw them away after a session.

I remember them originally coming with a castile soap packet, but the ones I got (gray and white box) have a chux underpad but no soap. And the prelubricated tip always needs a supplemental lube.

@Miss_Sarah didnt think to look on eBay.

I remember last seeing them around the late ‘80s, maybe early ’90s. Only place I had seen them were at larger Rite-Aid pharmacies. I remember the packet that came with them, and an underpad was included also. No nozzle on the end of a clear plastic tube. The tube was marked with a max insertion line.. That line could really only benefit someone else giving the enema to someone, as it would be hard seeing the line yourself considering where you were putting it 😉.

@Chase

Fleet Bagenemas are rare on eBay. OTOH there are plenty of similar, but somewhat less well made, disposable enema bags for sale. Look for MDI or McKesson or Medline. Any of the disposables work fine and the recipient will surely get their dose of enema solution.

I would surmise that a patent expired, or Fleet quit marketing the Bagenema and Prep Kit for Barium Enemas, due to changes in the suggested preps for GI exams. I had purchased a few of these many years ago and found them rather spendy. Disposable, or one time use, enema bags are still abundantly available, but usually distributed by medical supply concerns. One online source is Vitality Medical Supply. They have a few options that are very reasonably priced. Most still have the castile soap packet. I prefer those that aren't in a box due to the convenience in storing the plastic bagged items. They are very easily packed in a ditty or makeup bag when travelling. They deliver solution very effectively, but don't have the ambience of a traditional enema bag and nozzle.

@sse4fun

There were several disposable enema bags that preceded the Fleet Bagenema. The patent may have expired, but I suspect the Bagenemas were not a big profit center. My guess is slow sales plus Chinese competition killed them.

As to the Fleet Pep kits, the advent of the Miralax / GoLytely / Colyte peps petty much killed them. Not many people want to take Castor Oil or Phosho Soda, then a hefty dose of Dulcolax, then a soapy bagenema. The Fleet preps were quite a moving experience. Even though I like enemas, a Fleet #2 Prep Kit was quite a trial. Sure cleaned me out though.

Fleet Prep Kits ran into a lot of backlash from multiple sources. Foremost were the end users. Doctors and nurses grew weary of hearing, "You want me to stick what, WHERE? None of the oral laxatives were popular either. Many women were not thrilled with the use of Castor Oil as many had endured administration of it during childbirth in younger years. Given the time of action was widely variable, you have to wonder how many times OB's regretted that choice. Phospho-Soda endured a lot of negative PR and continues to encounter blistering warnings due to renal problems when used. So it is not surprising Fleet seemed to abandon that segment of the market.

In the 1970's a pharmacy chain, Dart Drugs was the major corner drugstore in the Northern Virginia area. Fleet Prep Kits were presented on the shelves right along with other oral and rectal laxatives in all of their stores. One competitor to Fleet's Prep Kits was also on the shelf in the laxative section. It included a bottle of Citrate of Mag, four Bisacodyl tablets and two Cee-O-Two (CEO-TWO) suppositories. A pharmacist friend told me that the kits, while not high volume, enjoyed brisk sales.

During my brief employment in a clinical environment it was not unusual for female patients to ask about availability of the Fleet Bagenema which were the dominate enema device in the hospital where I worked. Its popularity was due to the self sealing filling port, ability to lay the filled bag on the bed and resistance to the filled bag rupturing, even if laid upon. Later a similar bagenema product made by Kendall was marketed, but the fold top clamp to seal the bag was difficult to use. Like the Fleet Bagenema, it sealed and prevented leaks, plus resisted rupturing. Many current offerings have much thinner plastic than the Fleet or Kendall bags and seem more prone to unexpected tears or bursts. Price point competition is fierce today and the less expensive products are usually sourced from China.

As others have confirmed as well , I really miss these sturdy , well constructed ‘ disposal enema bags ’ which were in fact very serviceable for many enemas . I traveled the U.S. as a conference presenter during the time these enema syringes were manufactured and the ‘ Fleet BagEnema ’ was perfect for travel . I would purchase one from our local pharmacy and my pharmacist would inquire ‘ where is your next destination ‘ ??? All was pre-TSA airport searches and the boxed enema set fit nicely between my clothing in my luggage . As I recall this ’ Fleet BagEnema ‘ was ’ green ' in color and could deliver a very good enema . Wish they were still around .

I also miss them. In the past I traveled a lot for work and if I did not pack a travel syringe I would often stop at a drug store and buy a Fleet Bagenema. It worked for several uses, not like the flimsy made in China units sold now. Plus I would NEVER use the soap supplied with the Chinese bags, who knows what is in it. But even these Chinese units are not sold in local drug stores any more either. If you are lucky now you might find a combination syringe of 1500 CC capacity with totally kinked and useless tubing!

I would happily do a whole day of soapy enemas then drink that god awful GoLytely ! It is cold ,it is a gallon of awful stuff to get down ,you get so cold you feel like you have hypothermia,your ass is on the toilet for a whole day at least an enema would be warm and you could take your time enjoying it . If they can plan on sending a rocket to Mars with a whole crew aboard you think some rocket scientist could come up with something to prep with and destroy the GoLytely company for good and all .