Medical enemas ?

Dont sound like a medical enema to me.......

I agree manybags, longtubes is a bit off topic...

They sadly have fallen our of favor, but you can still request one and most docs will oblige. The last few times I've been in the hospital I've requested a series and the doctor was fone with it and the nurses did a great job. I even asked for a lot of lube and a rectal massage first and they did a great job. I made sure there was privacy bit I was naked and in the knee chest position to receive it and it was great. Sometimes you just have to ask for what you need!

The last time I recieved an enema in a hospital was 1985. It was also the last time they allowed an overnight stay for minor surgery. I had major shoulder surgery three years ago and went 10 with no BM. I never even got the suggestion of an enema from the medical personal, I had to give one to myself one handed.

Has anyone had any luck with finding a nurse on the side to come to your house and administer an enema series on a regular basis? I'm looking go get someone who is experienced so I can relax and have someone coach me along with regular scheduled high volume enemas. It's hard to fully relax self administering and I think it's more effective wen someone else is in control.

I am lucky enough not to have spent much time as a patient in hospital in recent years, although I did have to have an internal exam a couple of years ago. In preparation I was given laxative medicine to drink on the day so many hours before my hospital appointment, and also a little syringe of fluid I had to use to completely clean me out before my visit. I think that from a professionals point of view, giving laxatives before a hospital procedure is more time efficient for the hosptials concerned, than the preparation and administration of colonics/enemas during a working day. It is probably all down to time and money, and possibly makes the hospitals more efficient in the long run. .

I think enemas went out of use in the late 60s in most northeast hospitals. While in college I worked as an orderly one summer and had to assist nurses , or at least standby if they needed asistance moving a male patient, Mostly Fleet enemas were used. Once a pretty statuesque student nurse had to administer an enema using a can. The male patient was constipated and she and another student were attending to his problem. Why the charge nurse sent me into their arena I don't know. Evidently the patient was heavily impacted because soapy water leaked out of

him. The student nurse was perturbed because this was the end of her shift and she wanted to get out off duty. I still don't know why I was sent to watch the poor guy get his enema. I remember another time a student nurse at the end of her shift came up to me all elated. She worked in the radiology department. She said, " I gave my first enema today. It was great." I was struck dumb and didn't say a thing. I might have turned a shade of red due to my repressed feelings. I missed an opportunity to satisfy my urge. The road not taken?

At the very minimum required welcome tap water enema on admission to the hospital and a till clear series upon admission to labor and delivery.

I mean hospitals and enemas used to go hand in hand!! People expected an enema when they went in the hospital and even if they didn't want one they still didn't refuse. And what happened to the obligatory spread and shave before delivery followed by turning over for an enemy series? These old fashioned remedies worked and they should not have been written off. It's a shame, but again I guess we have to ask if we want them. The problem is the newer generation won't ask because they don't understand the benefits.

And the other thing is the enemas before delivery aren't just to get cleaned out. New moms need a long vigorous seris to prep them. The enemas simulate the same beating down technique that they will need to push. It also is a great natural labor inducer.

In german hospitals there are no enemas any more,its a pity

Neither enemas nor shaving are medically necessary any longer during or prior to labor. It's called medical advancements. While I agree that enemas might once in a while make the mom feel more comfortable by being empty which lessens her worry of having an accident, and frees up some space if she is full of it, which would allow for maybe a slightly more "comfortable" labor process, I am not real sure it would help her physically prepare herself for labor. Meaning in the context in which you Deb speak. If anything, the medical community has taken the position that enemas can actually slow labor down because enemas often times for non-enema users are quite exhausting. Labor is exactly that, labor, i.e. hard work. It's hard to work hard for hours on end when you are already exhausted to start with.

As far as shaving goes, again, medical advancements. Shaving is not at all necessary either. Whats pubic hair gong to do, does it cause any health risks to either the mother or baby? No, not at all. And actually they have found that shaving a woman prior to, or during labor can actually be medically harmful, with the exception of a little area if an epesitomy needs to be done that is. The peri area is going to be stretched to the max, often causing the new hair growth to become ingrown as the skin shrinks back down and the hairs turn inwards due to the skin shrinking. Also, that area is going to be inflamed, hot, wet and sore. Hair growing in down there often itches when it grows back, so new moms run the risk of scratching in their sleep. Not at all good. Also, shaving, especially with the high quality razors most hospitals buy actually leave little cuts and scrapes. So having open areas to an area that's already open, sore, inflamed, moist and draining bodily fluids isn't a good idea. Think about it.

Mashie

Humm we I don't agree and I'm a nurse and a mother of 3. With all three kids I got a shave and enema prep and it bode well for me. I think it fell off the radar due to the Time factor and staffing as an enema seris does take time to administer. But I think it was tried and true for many years without bad effects. Way back when all women expected it.

Any major surgery that involves pain meds should come with standard post op orders for a high volume enema if no bm in 2 days. This would prevent the common constipation and impactiions that plague folks. Lit should just be protocol for all ages.

As an older(60's) physician the logic ( or illogic) of the enemas in l&d was to move along labor. shaving was based on the notion that it would allow for a sterile surgical field. old myths die hard and noone would dare question that neither of these were based on any facts.

Totally disagree, 'doc'. an enema is far better than injecting 'Pitocin' or other unnatural drugs into the mother's(and babys) bloodstream. too many doctors have joined pharm.company ranks,abandoning safe,natural treatments for more profitable ones.

Since childhood, I can't recall a single enema given by a medical professional - doctor or nurse - that was the least bit erotic. I rely on myself or a fetish partner for that important aspect.

I agree that medical enemas are generally a thing of the past. Any erotic aspect seems to be in the recollection or fantasy aspect where we secretly wish it might lead to something more. That being said, I find that all enemas have a certain erotic aspect. Some more so than others. The preparation, anticipation, and administration of a clinical enema still fulfils some degree of interest and enjoyment of this simple procedure.

I may be more obsessed than most when the subject of enemas is discussed. My early experiences are as fresh on my mind as even some recent events. Those early enemas were never intended to have an erotic component, I'm sure. I got my share of them from mom and grandma and the doctor/pediatrician and his nurse were supportive, if not directive, when the medical aspect is considered.

As I received an few enemas in the hospital prior to various procedures, I don't believe there was an erotic aspect intended. I certainly found an erotic aspect at the time and for many years thereafter. I do recall interactions with the nurses who had their own approach to what they must have perceived was an em-bare-assing moment for me. On two occasions, different nurses made comments and were teases during the process. Their light hearted approach was appreciated, but also fueled some perception on my part, that they were flirting a bit. This added some erotic aspect to those events.

One nurse in particular, whispered in my ear that I was to receive an enema in preparation for surgery in the morning. I still have erotic fantasies and recollections. In hindsight, she was just trying to be discreet because I was sharing a room with another patient. Another nurse announced one morning, "Oh boy, I get to give each of you an enema today". There were 4 of us in the same ward or room. She was enthusiastic and her approach enhanced the event although I'll not forget that the guy across the way was very miserable as this was his first BM after rectal surgery.

My wife had enemas prior to the birth of 2 of our 3 children. I was present and offered to give one of them. She hated them and was miserable. She hates enemas and most anything to do with them. Thanks a lot to the L&D folks who turned her off forever. I have long believed that I could have at least given a more gentle tolerable enema under the circumstances. Maybe it would have diminished my inclinations to spend so much time in forums like this...NOT!

I still use enemas or colonics when necessary to prepare for medical procedures. I even discuss this with doctors and nurses who have acted surprised but supportive when they understand my rationale. They have been conditioned to use protocols that exclude enemas. Once they realize that I will prepare myself, with no effort on their part, I've not received any real negative feedback. In one instance, a nurse said, "I didn't think people used those anymore because their so invasive". I chuckled and told her that they planned on putting tubes and instruments in my orafices where things weren't likely intended to be. An enema nozzle and some warm water isn't any more invasive and would likely have a relaxing effect on me.

It is too bad that enema use has diminished in the medical setting. There are few people in this generation who have any of those enema related stories to share after they're released from the hospital. Moms, aunts, and grandmas are more likely to discuss a "Housewives" episode than the pending enemas they're about to give to some freaked out family member. Neighborly discussions are lijkely devoid of any reference to the "BIG E".

They goodness a few of you still indulge a well experienced Klismo!

Here is one for the books. True story!

This past week I was approached by a "neighbor" about some inferences to colon/enemas/medical treatment. I barely know this individual but he was very intent on getting information. I have never shared or given any personal information to him about my person or even personal life. He seemed very uncomfortable and even sort of nervous as he would look around a lot while talking to me. I decided to take a little different approach to see exactly what the issue was. I invited him to sit with me on my front porch because it was a little more private than just talking on the street. After some probing questions he finally divulged that he and his wife had been on a very intense regimen of oral antibiotics since they had returned from Mexico City. It turns out that his wife was in the hospital and he was fast approaching her conditional state as well. They had both acquired some sort of lower colon infection and the meds seemed to make the condition worse.

My first concern or thought was that he was carrying some sort of super bug and to please leave my premises. But that thought quickly left when I realized that this might be a condition that has been recurring a lot recently in hospitals, nursing homes and other long term care facilities. I asked him what his physician had said to him and he said that he didn't feel comfortable with his physicians diagnosis and suggested treatment. He said that both he and his wife had contracted a condition called Clostridium Difficiles. This is due to the good bacteria being killed off in the gut by aerobic antibiotics that competes with this particular pathogen even though its lesser pathogenic form is found in the lower gut. It is becoming one of the more antibiotic resistant gram negative bacteria which is causing significant complications in older, immunologically compromised folks, especially in long term care facilities. I then asked him what he didn't like about what his doctor said for treatment and he told me his physician wants him and his wife to injest feces from someone locally. I just about dropped out of my chair but then I remembered reading about some treatments for this kind of infection that have had some very good results.

It turns out that a "healthy fecal specimen" is collected from a healthy screened donor and is processed of all fecal matter and a clear supernatent filtered fluid is used to insure that only a rich collection of the naturally occurring flora is present. The fluid is then administered by enema-colon tube and/or gastric lavage. I tried to assure him that they wouldn't actually consume fecal matter and the amount would not be large. I said that this might be at least a reasonable alternative to their antibiotic regimen which seems to be causing them significant problems. I further tried to explain why our bodies host so many other types of "friendly organisms" and why that competition is healthy for us. Lastly, I told him he should look this up on the internet to read about and also seek another doctors opinion. However, in my honest opinion, this approach actually seems like a more rational approach. I tried to be as neutral about this as possible but reseeding the gut with normally occurring flora seems like a better approach to rapidly out compete this infection they are experiencing. This doesn't follow the normal discussion usually found in this forum but it seemed somewhat relevant to the medical theme here. Sorry if I wasted your time. This was just very strange to me.

I totally agree with manybags. We are so influenced by pharm companies that we forget the tried and true safe alternatives. I am a firm believer that an enema seris is always beneficial to new moms in labor. Sometimes if a new mom is nerveous a warm tap water is relaxing. if labor needs to be moved along a cool one might be in order. Constipation can impede the pushing process and perhaps some need a good clean out. I guess my doc must be old fashioned as I'm young and it was ordered for me for all my deliveries. He was honest and gave me the many reasons why it's necessary. He also said that there was a certain way to bear down and push and the expelling of the enema mimicked that and it would give me practice so to speak. So I took my quarts until clear. I fought a little at first, but I do agree that it was necessary. And it was also safe and easy. The same with a shave prep. I'm not sure why the backlash against it. Before the staff said hello it seemed they were spreading and shaving completely prior to my enemas. I didn't love it but it was necessary!

Waterdoc,

I have contracted "C. Diff." by using antibiotics for respirtory infections and having radiation and surgery on my gut. I was taking a drug like Cipro or a cephalosporin for the infection and my F.P Doc would also give me an Rx for Flagyl tabs. These worked fine to stop the "runs" from the clostridium difficile, but after a few times with this, my Doc said that he was afraid that in time, Flagyl would not work. The only drug he would have left would be Vancomycin and they try to reserve that for hospitalized patients withy C.Diff.

He came up with a great alternative solution. Now, he gives me an antibiotic and has me take over the counter Probiotics caps. They work wonderfully. You can get generic probiotics now that are cheaper than the name brand one. You should also talk to moderator Mashie about this. She had a serious bowel condition a while back and she took large quantities of probiotics and they worked on her too.

One of my older doctors (that I saw for business) did his internship in 1947 and he told me that in those days, for intractable diarrhea, they used Neomycin Sulfate enemas, over and over, to kill the bugs in the gut and flush out large quantities of the offending pathogen. Tap water, saline of baking soda enemas would assist in purging the bowel of several millions of these pathogens and should make recovery happen faster.

I have read many accounts of researchers "seeding" a patient with PMC with normal healthy gut bugs via the rectal route and they worked well. It sounds like your friend's doctor didn't explain that he would not have to swallow the new bacteria and what goes with it. Only a very small rectal injection is all that is needed. That would introduce new bugs to replace those that have been killed off and they would attack the C. Diff. to bring it under control.

Best wishes and prayers for your friend's health

Thanks for your comments Jimmy. I believe that I failed to mention that Flagyl had been prescribed and is now not working as there has been several instances of bloody stools. I also believe that my neighbor had been told of the proper procedure but, as with a lot of people, when he heard the procedure, he blanked out on the total explanation because all he heard was fecal matter. I think a sort of re-explanation of the concept helped alleviate most of his original fears and perhaps disgust with the procedure. BTW, apparently C. Difficiles is becoming one of the new recognized super bugs.

Other than that, I Iove this forum. At least we get to re-examine some of our prior knowledge and experiences with something that a lot of the medical community is trying to make taboo. Besides, if we share some good things out of this discourse, then we have given others something to consider as well. I will contact Mashie later. I am interested in her take on all of this. Also, the Pro-Biotics are a great reminder, thank you.

PS I find the series of rinse enemas particularly interesting. I am wondering how they were put so far up into the colon because a lot of anerobic bacteria live quite far up in the ascending and transverse colon - colon tube?

Look forward to your future comments!

Not so common ... indeed

I so wish the still gave them. How I have longed for one. I don't care threason, routine, barium x rays, what ever. I have always wanted a medically given enema.... I would love to volenteer for a nursing school as an enema test dummy, I would be in heaven.

RigN15 all you have to do is ask whether your on the hospital a walk on clinic or a md office I always request one and they have given me a tap water enema.

My first and only enema given by a medical professional for medical reasons was when I was 15 years old and I've been hooked since. It was given in a doctor's office because I'd been having some stomach cramps and simple constipation is what the doctor said and he had a quick fix. I thought I was going to die when the nurse came in and told me what she was going to do.

I had my first colonoscopy recently and they didn't even suggest enemas. Just fasting and drinking the rocket juice they gave me. Ugh, no fun at all!

Well it still happens folks... Good to hear. I've been on pain meds for my back. I thought I had the flu and went to the er. Turns out I was very backed up and without asking the doctor wrote for a 3 h enema until clear. Very rigorous... I took 4 soapy ones. My bottom was raw but I left feeling great and the simple remedy worked. The nurses were great. So keep the faith!

Enemas are a dead issue at the hospital that I work at. This past weekend we had a male patient in his 60s admitted through ER for not having a bowel movement for 4days aftewr all the test he was sent to the floor and admitted. We thought we would be giving him enemas so did the other girls. Well the DR ordered a colonoscopy prep The poor guy sat on john for 2 hrs having a copious movement and not comfortable at all. I really believe enemas would have helped him more but the Doctor wouldnt order it.I really believe the enema is out as far as these younger doctor are concerned.

Head south - they are for sure used in many hospitals still in GA, AL, FL, SC/NC.

They belong in every hospital room!

I had C. Dif during a month-long hospital stay that included two weeks in ICU. C. Dif was a miserable addition to an already miserable experience. I was critically ill with pneumonia and on some powerful antibiotics. Thankfully the C. Dif eventually cleared up and never came back. But it was months before my guts calmed down.

Now, back to the thread's main topic of why I love enemas. I love feeling so much lighter afterwards, and refreshed. I love feeling the warm solution spread through me. I love that enemas can be a tender, affectionate experience. Or a punishing one, if needed. And I'd much rather have an "old-fashioned" enema, than ingest a bunch of chemicals to resolve an episode of constipation.

My wife works in a hospital pharmacy. About 5 years ago they got a new female doctor in the ER. She almost went ballistic when she discovered they didn't stock the ingredients for milk and molasses enemas. Apparently, she liked to use them. I never did hear how that worked out. It made me wonder where she came from.