How much fluid did you receive in the hospital ?

How much and how many times did you receive when you were in the hospital? Have you asked to reduce or increase the volume of water ? Do they do the same amount to everyone , or does the medical staff decide on the patient 's parameters themselves ?

How much and how many times did you receive when you were in the hospital? Have you asked to reduce or increase the volume of water ? Do they do the same amount to everyone , or does the medical staff decide on the patient 's parameters themselves ?

@Ene1994,

I’m now 71 but all my hospital enemas were for multiple plastic surgical repairs of my congenital clefting disease from about age 2 to 13. No recall of volumes. However, when I had many commercial colonics for recreation, after the first two or three I definitely asked if they could be sure to give me the max permissible volume and hold time just because I enjoyed the very full feeling. They did, and I loved the sensations.

How much did you get in your hospital enemas? How did you know the volume(s), by asking the nurse?

Eric

Last colonoscopy I was found to be insufficiently clear and was told I would have to repeat the prep and re-schedule the procedure. After some pleading with the gastro doc and the head nurse, I was offered the option of an enema to see if that would clean me out enough to proceed.

The admitting nurse returned shortly with a filled disposable plastic enema bag which she said was 1500ML. I got two enemas that morning until I was deemed to be clear enough for the procedure. It would seem that 1500ML was standard at the facility for a 'large volume' enema.

The hospital enemas I have received have all been about quart to a quart and a half (1500 ML). The first when I was 9 was probably about a quart from a white enamel bucket. The nurse distracted me with mundane conversation and all of a sudden said "let me know when you have to go potty". I'm guessing it was probably a quart.

The next was after extensive shoulder surgery after a ski injury, The nurse just ask "do you think you can hold the whole bucket?"

My last one was 4 years ago after back surgery. The nurse had little experience and I had to explain a lot of the nuances of enemas to her. She didn't even know that the soap came with the enema bucket. I told her that I would like her to give me about half of it and let me hold it and then after initially expelling it, to refill the bucket and give me the whole 1500ML's. She did exactly that. Afterwards I found out it was only the second large volume enema she had given.

I have typically gotten a liter or perhaps slightly more as a first enema in hospital settings. Subsequent enemas were larger - usually the entire 1500 ml capacity of a plastic disposable bucket. I think once the nurses realize that I can take a liter with no issue, they add significantly more water to the next enema(s). I got enemas as a rescue procedure when I had an incomplete colonoscopy prep. The doctor's first inclination was to reschedule the procedure but I proactively asked if there was anything they could do to avoid that. The nurse told me that it would involve enemas and that she would have to talk with the doctor if I was willing to have them do that. He agreed and they started by giving me a liter of water. She appeared shocked that I was able to tolerate it so easily. She kept asking me if I was alright. The bucket was full almost to the point of overflowing for the subsequent enemas.

When I was around 12, I was in the hospital for about a week with food poisoning. I had gotten many enemas before by Mom / aunt, and exploring with other kids. During the last few days of my stay, a nurse with a nurse's aid / Young assistant came into my room with a tray stating that since I hadn't had a BM, the doctor ordered one for me. The thought of getting an enema from these two was un-imaginal to me at the time.

This was my first encounter with a clear disposable bag.

The nurse hung this on my IV pole while the aid had me lean over on my side and opened my gown, then spread my cheeks for the "small" tube to go in.

The bag must have been a quart or more, but I probably had gotten worse before, as she commented on how good I took the soapy water. Surprise !!!!

They made me lie there until I had an "urgency" to go, then helped me to the toilet. Having a strange person in the bathroom while releasing was.... embarrassing ???

I got 2 more before I was discharged. Upon this, Mom was told to look after my bowel movements for the next several days. Nonetheless, bigger enemas with the "good ole" red bag happened. Compared to the hospital clear tube, the straight pipe nozzle felt good.

Now I despise these throw aways!