Hospital Enema

@Cheryl77177, insurance companies are now being penalized by Medicare if they release patients too soon. If you have to return for the same problem inside of 30 days, Medicare regards that as inadequate care, if other circumstances are present.

Was in Noted Heart Hospital in 2006 & 7, mentioned to Nurse was having some trouble, she said: MOM, else Prune Juice. That's High Tech.

On another light, was in Food Store, an attractive brunette in athletic grey shorts, caught her at the moment, she reached for last double-pack

of Fleet, would pass by her cart several times and peek in. Wish I could have helped her.

Another time at register, lady behind me had disposable and jar of suppositories on the belt. Darn.

My last, actually two, hospital enemas were at an endoscopy clinic where I was awaiting a colonoscopy. They were administered by a middle-aged LPN who was my admitting nurse. Each of the enemas was 1500cc of saline from a plastic disposable enema bag.

The reason was 'inadequate prep' for a colonoscopy, and I would have been forced to reschedule and go through the entire prep again if I had not been cleaned out enough by the enemas. I was initially offered a Fleets enema, but declined. I told them I would prefer a regular enema. After consulting the gastroenterologist and head nurse, I was given the bag enemas.

Funny, when young I worried that should I have to go into a hospital I'd be given enemas. Then, in later life when I did have to go into the hospital, I so wished enemas were still in favor and I'd get one as I struggled with constipation.

In the hospital at 13 I got my first enema. I was at the hospital by myself for an upper and lower GI Series. When I got to my room the nurse told me something about a GI series. I had no idea what it was and thought it was something to do with the military. That didn't make sense but it was all I could think of at the time.

I had only been there long enough to put on pajamas when the same male nurse came back with a clear disposable enema bag. It was completely full of white water. I had no idea what it was. My only clue was the coiled up hose at the bottom. He pulled the covers to the end of the bed. Still no clue. He put a towel under the pad covering the right side of the bed. No clue there. Then he uncoiled the tube. I had the start of an idea. Then he opened a big tube of KY at the same time telling me to take off my bottoms. Bingo. Then he was greasing the end of the tube. I'd actually seen my father taking enemas but the red bag hose and nozzle were nothing like the disposable bags.

I took off my pj bottoms after he told me again. I still had on my jockey shorts. He seemed a little annoyed when he told me to take off my underwear too. I couldn't take my eyes off that hose. Taking off my shorts was so embarrassing. While I took them off he lectured me. He said to wear my underwear or my pj bottoms but not both. Most of the time I was there I wasn't wearing anything except my tee shirt or a gown. With all the enemas and laxatives they told me not to put my bottoms back on. Just cover up with the sheet. Two reasons. It was important to me to be able to get to the toilet quickly. There wasn't much warning when I needed to go. Running in and sitting down was faster. The nurse told me that when I went to sleep some might leak out. There was no reason to get my bottoms dirty. The told me I'd be covered with the sheet and nobody would see anything.

That first time I remember sitting on the toilet totally miserable waiting for the soapy water to come out. It took a while. I couldn't believe what he'd done to me. I'd cramped the entire time. It was horrible. He came in to check on me. I couldn't look at him. I just held my head in my hands. He asked what was wrong. That was when he learned it was my first time and nobody had told me anything. I was so upset I think he felt bad about getting annoyed. He talked to me but I have no idea what he said. I do remember him telling me to straighten my back.

Eventually I wasn't as embarrassed. After three or four enemas my butthole was raw. Then the laxatives. It felt like I was trying to pass sandpaper.

It seemed like everything they did was was aimed at my butt. Enemas, shots, laxatives, suppositories. The exception were the things they did to me in urology. They left my butt and butthole alone but stayed in the same neighborhood. That scope was quite a shock. I couldn't believe it would fit where the doctor said he was going to put it.

A nice topic, it's a little difficult to read this in english, but I'm glad to learn your experiences.

In the hospital at 13 I got my first enema. I was at the hospital by myself for an upper and lower GI Series. When I got to my room the nurse told me something about a GI series. I had no idea what it was and thought it was something to do with the military. That didn't make sense but it was all I could think of at the time.

I had only been there long enough to put on pajamas when the same male nurse came back with a clear disposable enema bag. It was completely full of white water. I had no idea what it was. My only clue was the coiled up hose at the bottom. He pulled the covers to the end of the bed. Still no clue. He put a towel under the pad covering the right side of the bed. No clue there. Then he uncoiled the tube. I had the start of an idea. Then he opened a big tube of KY at the same time telling me to take off my bottoms. Bingo. Then he was greasing the end of the tube. I'd actually seen my father taking enemas but the red bag hose and nozzle were nothing like the disposable bags.

I had several BE in my teens. I'm not sure which one it was but they spent the day preparing me. It was a relief to finally get some good sleep. Well about four the next morning, the day of the BE, a nurse woke me. He said, “I hate to wake you up like this.” That's when I saw the full enema bag hanging beside me. I said something like not another one. He said, “I've got to finish getting you ready for the x-rays before the shift change.” He was really was sorry about it. It didn't stop him from giving me three more enemas or filling the bag to the top.

The other thing I remember is that I needed to pee when he woke me up. I don't know what was in the shot they gave me that made me sleep but I was still dizzy. (anybody got ideas what they might have used?) He helped me up then to the bathroom. Back in the room he got serious. I'd turned on my side and just pushed down my pj bottoms to my thighs. I'd intended to pull the up till I got to the bathroom. He insisted I take them completely off so I wouldn't trip. It made sense but I hated it. I had a roommate that time. We must have woke him up. The nurse told him if he needed the bathroom to go. It was going to be tied up for quite a while. Obviously it wasn't going to be just one. It also bothered me that my roommate knew what was going to happen and he was going to hear me. I'm sure he didn't care. There was no way I'd be quiet. I never was.

That's all I remember and am curious why I remember it so vividly.

I happened to be in hospital here in the UK for about 6 weeks when I was about 10 or 11 years old. It was my first and so far only stay in a medical environment. I ended up with two operations one on each leg, so was laid up in bed for about four weeks in total. After my first operation I was not allowed out of the bed for about a week and was given my first enema. I cannot remember how much water they gave me, but when it came to the after effects of my second operation, they gave me a suppository to empty my system. I think that laying in bed and getting no exercise, my system slowed down and there were no bowel movements for a few days after each operation. To this day I cannot think why I didn't get a second enema; perhaps they couldn't afford the time to carry out another one, or they didn't want to get me fixated with colonic irrigation at such a young age. I've no idea.

@southeastpete

Was the enema given to you using a Higgenson syringe?

I don't think it was. I can remember seeing the nurse behind me with what looked like a can or similar shape and a long red tube. I don't think the item was brought over on a trolley either; the two nurses just appeared and walked around by my bed and pulled the curtains around it for privacy I think.

Enemas are still given in hospitals. However, as someone else said, you're apt to get a laxative as a first step. If that fails, then suppositories and/or Fleet enemas will be the next step(s). It's unlikely that you'll be given a large volume enema unless there is a specific indication for that treatment.

@southeastpete: “To this day I cannot think why I didn't get a second enema…”

I suppose you'll never know. My first thought was, maybe different doctors wrote the orders. One thought an enema was wise while the other thought a suppository would suffice.

In my experience, patients only get something to make them poo in two circumstances… they are constipated maybe because it's hard to poo on a bedpan or the meds they have been given, or because a doctor wants a clean bowel for a test.

In the latter you are likely to get a gallon of a prep to drink. In the former, nurse time is a big concern, not patient comfort. So a dose of laxative or a suppository or a Fleet are the go-to choices. Any of those take 5 minutes, a bag enema at least a half hour.

Around 18 years ago I recall seeing a red enema bag on a tray as a nurse passed by in a rehab ward. Didn’t see a hose or nozzle but there was a towel covering other stuff on the tray.

My bride was recently hospitalized for acute pancreatitis (after being misdiagnosed by the local acute care!!) She was put on a strict NPO with only IV fluids for 4 days, then a liquid diet. Add to this morphine for pain. The result was that she could not poop. The status board in her room actually stated that the priority for the day was to poop!

They started her on Mirilax, then stool softener, then prune juice - all to no avail! I suggested she ask the for an enema and was told what part of Hell I could visit - immediately! After day 5 of no results a pair of nurses came in and said they would try a suppository to see if it would break up the log jam. I was surprised that I was not asked to leave the room, but I had seen it all that week - from ultrasounds to bed baths to bedpans for peeing. So they rolled her up - one nurse supporting her on her side while the other raised a butt cheek and inserted the suppository. They rolled her back and said "give it time to work and call when you feel the urge to go."

After 15 minutes one returned and asked "any need to go? I'll help you to the toilet." She helped her from bed, and trailing her IV's, she was escorted to the bathroom. After what seemed a week in there she came out and just shook her head. The nurse said she'd ask the doctor what else he would prescribe.

Lo and behold she returned after a bit with a familiar green box. "The doctor sent up orders for an enema. Have you ever had an enema?" My bride just answered sullenly "I'm familiar with them." The nurse then said I'll get the aide to help roll you up, then I'll do the procedure."

Again, I thought I would be asked to step outside, but I was not. I watched as the aide rolled her up on her left side and moved her right leg up toward her belly. I was surprised the nurse put surgical lube on the nozzle before she inserted it.

The nurse said "OK, I'm going to squeeze the enema and it may feel a bit cold. Try to hold the liquid until you feel the need to go." Then added, "I can get you a bedpan or the aide can help you to the toilet." She opted for the toilet after a short wait.

It did work as promised. Later my bride told me it was embarrassing for me to have witnessed the enema. I replied that with the number of enemas she has given me over the years she should not feel any shame. (and reminded her of my upcoming colonoscopy where she will get her revenge on me! Several times, I suspect!)

So they absolutely will give enemas in a hospital, but only after a routine of laxatives.

You can always accelerate the process by explaining why you choose not to do the laxative regimen. Also, talk directly to the doctor an explain that you use enemas for occasional constipation. If you are really uncomfortable, they will want you to get relief.

In recent years, they have all been fleets... prob a total of 10.

A few years ago, I had both knees replaced (at the same time) requiring extreme pain relief. I could barely move to get on my feet. I was put on a bedpan a couple times a day but couldn't poop. Trying to poop while laying down is nearly impossible for me. It has always been that way. I guess my plumbing doesn't line up so I can push anything out. Dulcolax supps wouldn't work even getting 3 at a time. On the 4th day they Had me roll over on a pillow and gave me 2 fleet mineral oil enemas. I had to lay there for an hr., then they rolled me back onto the bed pan butt that still didn't for even after several hr. After visiting hr were over the came back in and gave me 2 regular fleets which after getting bad cramps finally did the job. Mor recently, similar situation, had to us a bedpan and couldn't poop while on my back. Nurse cam in and rolled me on my right side and gave 2 fleets.

In the early 80s I was in to do an upper and lower GI. They did the upper one first having to drink a bunch barium cherry flavored butt still awful. When that was done they rolled me back to my room and gave me a bottle of castor oil to drink. After visiting hrs was over, the nurse came in with a big enema bag and filled me knee chest on the bed. My roommate chose that time to come back in the room and the nurse didn't even bat an eye and kept filling me. There were no curtains in the room although there was a track in the ceiling for them. She repeated the knee-chest enema 3 more times in view of my roommate. I got the refrigerated barium enema early the next morning. It was ice cold and I could feel it swir all the way around inside.

Jekyll doctor, The reason the medical profession won't auto-default to an enema is because of your wife's initial reaction to the mere suggestion that that would be a solution. My wife has the same reaction even though she has had here share of enemas during our 50 years of marriage, mostly all medically necessary. The last time was when she had a knee replacement and was really constipated, probably more than 5 days post op. She asked me if I had anything that would help, like a fleet enema. I didn't but I did have a microlax mini I brought back from Europe. I thought about just using a bag, but she hates those and I have never had any success with standing bag enemas. I had her lean forward with her elbows on a sink counter and gave her the microlax. It worked very well. I knew she was really in trouble by just asking me. The microlax brand is not available in the US, I don't know why.

I have only came close to getting a hospital enema one time, almost 30 years ago. I was in for appendicitis and my mother was visiting me and basically keeping me company. I was given a very strong laxative and the nurse kept coming back in to see if I had gone to the toilet yet. Apparently, when the laxative started working and I was in the bathroom, the nurse had shown back up to see if I had been to the toilet yet again. When I came out of the bathroom, my mother was laughing so hard that she was in tears. She told me that I had "dodged the bullet". I found out when the nurse returned that the doctor had told her that if I hadn't had a bowel movement by the time she checked again that I was to get a bag enema. I was embarrassed, but I was also somewhat disappointed.