Long Colon Tubes

I'm interested in deep enemas as I find that they work the best. I have manages to insert about 24" before I hit "wall" and got a fantastic fill. Has anybody experience inserting a really long length 48" plus? How do you manage to do that? What tube did you also use?

If you have managed to get 2 feet into you, I would hold up there until you get a lot more experience. When you "hit the wall" it is trying to tell you something. Keep practicing and DO NOT try to push further. 😶

Don't confuse the length of the colon inside your body with the length of the colon stretched out on a table in a dissection lab. Think of it like a slinky that can be short and compact or pulled out very long. Inside your body it is not that long--about three feet, stretched out on a table it could be five feet.

Try this. You know the shape of the colon. (If you don't know the shape of the colon, you shouldn't be doing this in the first place.) Lay out a piece of rubber tubing over your abdomen from the anus to the site of the appendix and measure the length of hose. It won't be anywhere as long as you think unless you have what gastroenterologists call a tortuous colon. This is NOT the same thing as a megacolon, which is an increase in the diameter of the colon. A tortuous colon is increased in length. If you have that DO NOT attempt to negotiate the curves yourself with a colon tube. You could be looking for trouble. When a gastroenterologist goes through a colon, he has lights, a camera, a large video screen and a scope he can direct in different directions. With a colon tube, the best you can do is twist and push it in the blind. PLAY CAREFULLY BOYS AND GIRLS.

Thanks for that informative bit of information Switchablesusie. I will try your experiment of the tube outside my body from the anus to where I think the end of the colon is and see how long it is and compare that to how mcuh tubing actually goes in. LOL perhaps im trying too hard and it might come out the other end. That would be amazing!

Forcing it can cause damage, possibly a tear or perforation. A perforated colon can kill you by poisoning you.

Anyone who wants to use a colon tube should spend less time reading up on how far people can insert them and more time reading about how to be safe. In order to become experienced enough to do deep insertions you have to live through your first attempts...

The average colon is about 5 feet, but don't force it.

Lots of cautions here, but just how much risk is there in puncturing the colon?

How much risk is there in perforating the colon?

It's kind of like a commercial plane crash. It doesn't happen very often, but when it does, there aren't any survivors.

Just to re-iterate on the length of the colon:

Don't confuse the length of the colon inside your body with the length of the colon stretched out on a table in a dissection lab. Think of it like a slinky that can be short and compact or pulled out very long. Inside your body it is not that long--about three feet or so, stretched out on a table it could be five feet.

Try this. You know the shape of the colon. (If you don't know the shape of the colon, you shouldn't be doing this in the first place.) Lay out a piece of rubber tubing over your abdomen from the anus to the site of the appendix and measure the length of hose. It won't be anywhere as long as you think unless you have what gastroenterologists call a tortuous colon. This is NOT the same thing as a megacolon, which is an increase in the diameter of the colon. A tortuous colon is increased in length. If you have that DO NOT attempt to negotiate the curves yourself with a colon tube. You could be looking for trouble. When a gastroenterologist goes through a colon, he has lights, a camera, a large video screen and a scope he can direct in different directions. With a colon tube, the best you can do is twist and push it in the blind.

How much risk is there in perforating the colon?

It's kind of like a commercial plane crash. It doesn't happen very often, but when it does, there aren't any survivors.

This is an excellent verbal illustration of the colon. I learned a lot from it. I think it's also an excellent word of caution! Susie is one of this boards medical gurus and you can trust what she says. She knows what she's talking about so I would heed what she says implicitly! Thanks very much Susie!

I have been using colon tubes for years and find them extremely pleasurable while taking my enemas. My colon tubes are homemade from pure gum rubber tubing you can purchase at a medical supply store for about 1.25 pr ft.

During my enema sessions I will snake a colon tube about 36 to 40 inches. The trick is practice and the right kind of tube material.The factory made red colon tubes, I find are too hard to bend the curves of the colon and could cause harm unless you take the times to heat them in hot water to soften them up. I have never tried the factory made silicone tubes, but I have made my own silicone colon tubes and found them easy to snake into the colon, however, the pure gum rubber tubes are more comfortable for me.

It's very important to take a couple of cleanout enemas before attempting to insert a colon tube more than a few inches. After you have done a couple of cleanout enemas, you will find it much easier to snake your tube. Lube your anus and coat the tube with a liberal amount of KY. Insert the tube into your anus a little then click the clamp to start the flow and gradually push and twist a little at a time. You may have to pull out the tube a few inches if you feel is not going in you any further, the tube sometimes will kink, this where practice comes in, so just relax and keep trying. Good luck. Let the good times flow.

w/m73yrs/Western Ma

Twobagger gives good advice ...let the water flow as you are inserting the colon tube. I use the commercial tubes. I like the 36fr with top and side opening. Never ever force insertion. Insert slowly and if it stops withdraw some of the tube, increase water flow and turn the tube back and forth as you are pushing in. That works well for me. Hope it works well for you too.

Generally the colon is 4-5ft and that wall you hit is the sphincter between the small intestines and the colon. th colon is resilient but even if you don't puncture it you could irritate it and cause other more subtle problems

I have wanted to try a colon tube. My giver is not interested and I have not had much success on my own. That's alright I get a good cleaning out with my gallon bag.

Hi All,

I had couple of questions for the group.

Although I have been successful in inserting a 30 inch colon tube, I just can't seem to get longer ones in. The 30 inch ones require a bit of manipulation, but it seems that there's no way a 48 or 50 inch tube will go in much beyond 30 inches. Is a 50 inch insertion really possible?

Also, is there a difference in the effect of a M & M delivered high (say through a 30 inch tube properly inserted) in comparison to a M & M delivered rectally?

Thanks in advance for you insights.

Rob in central MA

50" is a long tube, but it can be done. You need a larger diameter from what I've learned, at least a 36 F or larger (1/2" or so in diameter). The tube needs to be soft and ideally no opening in the end. Enema first to clear things, then use lots of lube injected with a syringe prior to starting the colon tube. I find the left side or on knees with head down the best. Twist and turn carefully as you insert and you should feel the tube sliding all the way around. Caution and minimal force is important.

Hi All,

I had couple of questions for the group.

Although I have been successful in inserting a 30 inch colon tube, I just can't seem to get longer ones in. The 30 inch ones require a bit of manipulation, but it seems that there's no way a 48 or 50 inch tube will go in much beyond 30 inches. Is a 50 inch insertion really possible?

Also, is there a difference in the effect of a M & M delivered high (say through a 30 inch tube properly inserted) in comparison to a M & M delivered rectally?

Thanks in advance for you insights.

Rob in central MA

Depending on the characteristics of the tube (diameter, stiffness) and your ability to know anatomically where it is in your colon and your skill in manipulating it, you could get more than 30 inches, but probably far less than five feet in unless the tube in kinked or folded--and most people don't realize when their tube is kinked or folded inside themselves. Be careful. Read posts on colon tube techniques. Here's what I do:

The method I use to insert is to be at least partially cleaned out first and be laying on your back--that is the position colonoscopy is performed in once you get to the transverse colon going on to the ascending colon and cecum. The reason to be on your back, and take a lesson from gastroenterologists here, is because on your back, your colon is on top of all your other abdominal organs. In the knee chest position, all your abdominal organs "fall" onto the colon inside yourself, and the weight of those organs can prevent easy passage of the tube deeper in the colon. Then when inserting the tube, use lots of lubricant so the anus doesn't get sore. Then allow some water to flow in and close the clamp. Now to insert the tube, I like to use the "jerking off my husband" stroking method as the tube is gradually advanced. What I mean is keep the tube moving in and out in two to four (or whatever is best for you) inch strokes and keep advancing the tube. I never found just twisting the tube to be as effective as the "jerking off" method, which is actually more or less what gastroenterologists do when they insert a colonoscope. They inflate the colon with air, we will use the enema water. Periodically, depending on how the tube feels inside you, add more water and close the clamp again and advance the tube more. Keep doing this until all the way in. WARNING: the tube will not go in as far as you think. Unless you have an abnormally tortuous colon or the tube folds over on itself inside you, you won't get in five or six feet of tubing. When the colon is described as 5 to 6 feet long, that is how long it is stretched out on a table, not sitting inside your abdomen. Consider the colon to be like the slinky toy. You can stretch it out far, but when it is at rest, it isn't that long. To demonstrate my point, look at a chart showing how the colon lies inside the abdomen. Then, take a rubber tube and trace that out on your belly. You'll see there is no way you are getting five feet of tube inside you without its kinking and folding. Three feet is about the maximum you will get. DO NOT force it, especially as you get the end of the tube in to the lower right quadrant where the cecum is. If you have a heavy, stiff tube (which is really what I like because it is easier to feel inside you and "massage" to where you want it to go) you can puncture your colon, which will cause a life threatening infection or you can damage the ileocecal valve if you try to force it into the ileum.

Hi Switchablesusie,

Thank you for the perspective on the practical length of the colon. You are right in your presumption that I was under the impression that colon in its natural position was over five feet long. I never consider how the anatomists measured it.

I think I need to adjust my expectations. Thirty inches is still a long ways up there!

Also, thank you and Denema for sharing some techniques!

Have a great day!

Rob

50" is definitely possible, you must be patient, have a large dia tube with a closed end, plenty of lube and a 4 qt bag. I have done dozens of 50" insertions, they only work when I start on my left side and then onto my back, lube the tube, and gradually insert, when it seems to stop, release some water, this seems to open things up and will allow you to insert more tubing, it may well take 20 - 30 minutes to get it all in, and I am not always successful. I can say from my experiences that it is a VERY satisfying enema, you will definitely be cleaned out, and an added bonus is removing that Snake....I'd insert a 50" tube just for the sensations I get as it comes out, let alone the enema.

Thanks, Susie, for the advice. I've tried the twist-turny method multiple times without much success. Only a crazy person keeps using a method that doesn't work and expects a different result.

Susie just had Colon surgery after a Colonoscopy. At the time of the Colonoscopy all the reports were good with no problems. Now after surgery we have a bag in place for about six months till the reversal. My question to you is how long after the reversal will I be able to go back to my Enema Schedule.We were very lucky we returned home from San Siego on a Thursday had some gut pain on Sunday and wound up in energency room on Monday.

POPPER42:

You should wait at least six months before you start with RECTAL recreational enemas.

FORGET ABOUT ANY LARGE VOLUMES OR PRESSURES OR RETENTION NOZZLES.

After about three months, if you want to do STOMA enemas in the one quart or less range, you should be alright. Again, no large volume or high pressure enemas. MAKE SURE YOUR STOMA IS WELL HEALED BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING YOUR DOCTOR DIDN'T TELL YOU TO DO.

You must also consider how much colon they removed. That will substantially decrease your future enema volumes.

The life you save will be your own.

Susie:

Thank you for the information.

I will use it well. Will not mess around with anything that can caues any problems.

I am very lucky to be here right now considering the conditiopn I entered the hospital.

I use a vintage Davol 26Fr., 22"L rectal tube (open tip, one side eyelite) which I love. Have had it a long time and it still retains it's flexibility as I keep it very clean. Another quality product from the Davol rubber company!

I grew up getting all my enemas fro colon/rectal tubes. Mom and auntie were RNs and all their enema bags used Davol tubes. Aunties was a thicker one (do I don't recall the Fr. scale size) attached to her 4 qt open top enema bag. Was it a sight to be hold filled with warm soapy solution! Loved her enemas as a teen!

Love to chat with anyone who also grew up/uses colon/rectal tubes for their enemas. Would have many stories to share with you...

Yes, play very careful...haste and ignorance of anatomy and disregarding one's partners sensations can have serious consequences.

Susie is RIGHT ON! (As usual!) I STRONGLY recommend that you try this with an experienced friend the first time or two. It isn't something you want to learn by trial & erroe. Why? Well, the "error" will at best mean a stay in the hospital; at worst, a short stay in the local funeral parlor.

What about all those extra long and thick colon tubes from siliconenozzles.com? has anyone managed to insert one of those longer beasts all the way? how did it feel?

I can insert 1 1/4"thick tubes 24-36 inches depending on my mood and desire to get them all the way in. I can't insert tubes thicker than that as far.

It feels yummy! If you are on the thinner side, you can see and feel the progress of the advancing tube on your abdomen and you can massage it around with one hand as you push it in with the other until you get it in pretty far.

I push a little and pull back a little and twist the tube, feeling to avoid obstructions. I watch the bag to tell me when the water stops, that is when the tube is kinked, or twisted shut.

Alex, I own several of siliconenozzles colon tubes, including one of the very large diameter tubes. In all cases, my maximum has been 14" - 18" for anything larger than 1"/D. The largest is 1.5" and I've taken 14"+ often. I have no interest in pressing that just for the sake of accomplishment and at the risk of injury. It is very satisfying to feel all that goes in - plus the volume delivered along with it.

As usual several of you have offered good advice as to using caution while inserting long colon tubes. Being an advocate of deep insertions and high enemas, I recently came across the ones made by Silicone nozzles . com. My recent purchase was a Red, 24 inch long X 1 inch diameter colon tube with a graduated ripple insertion end and a two inch retention knob at the terminal end. Using a "paddle wheel" flow gauge I inserted the well greased tube with the water running in me until I reached a point where the enema stopped flowing . At this point I had inserted 20 inches of tubing and determined that this was my limit.

Incidentally, the sensation was awesome!