Silicone Balloon nozzles. Has yours failed?

Just out of curiosity. When I first started taking enema's 9-10 years back the nozzles on sale were latex. I had a 500/250 nozzle which lasted ages before I unfortunately got vaseline on it and it got a hole shortly after.

Since then the nozzles seem to have switched to silicone. I've had 2 and they both developed holes within a very short space of time. I won't buy another. Reading these forums it would appear that many other people have had the same issue.

I'm curious. If you've had a silicone nozzle fail on you, post here. If the results are overwhelming it might be worth bringing this to the attention of a popular supplier.

[font=arial][size=15px]My husband and I have owned over a dozen 500/250 and 750/250 silicone nozzles (about six of each) and still have half of them. We have also had latex ones also.

Some of the silicone ones unfortunately do not last long and some last very well.

We have had latex ones that lasted for years and some silicone ones have lasted very well.[/font][/size]

Susie Do you have a recommendation ? Silicone or Latex

^^^^ I'd say, on the average, the latex ones, if you don't get them oily will last longer on average than the silicone. However, I like the silicone ones better because they are stiffer and easier (and more fun) to insert.

I've only owned one 750/250 silicone nozzle that I've had for about 3 years. It's lasted pretty well but the smaller ballon has a slow leak and I have to pump it up every few minutes. Annoying but not unmanageable. I was reading with interest about someone who said they only use about 4-5 pumps on the larger ballon. I would think one would be missing half the fun if you don't inflate that thing and really feel the effect of the inner and outer balloons in proper position. It's a very pleasant sensation to be that "full" and relax your muscles without the solution leaking out.

I have had 3 silicone nozzles, 2 500/500 and 1 750/500, none of them lasted very long, all failed @ the junction of the inner balloon surface (anal seal surface) and the nozzle tube (both balloons). i think this is a defect based on the manufacturing process, the silicone is very thin at this point (streched, i assume). the 750/500 is not very comfortable and must be inflated by @ least 6 pumps to prevent leaking, really $160.00 should buy a better product.

[quote author=dbsonic777 link=topic=22628.msg218115#msg218115 date=1244657856]

I've only owned one 750/250 silicone nozzle that I've had for about 3 years. It's lasted pretty well but the smaller ballon has a slow leak and I have to pump it up every few minutes. ....

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There is an easy remedy for your problem because the leak is probably NOT the balloon itself, but rather the bulb you pump it up with that doesn't hold the air. All you need to do is place a small hose clamp between the bulb and the double balloon rectal catheter and clamp it closed once the balloon is filled. We do that all the time and it works.

I to have had a sillicone balloon nozzle fail the small bulb failed first i super glued it back togther it still leaks a little but now the large ballon has diveloped a big leak very disapointing because i have only had it a few months

You can repair small holes and small rips in silicone nozzles with a product called sil-poxy (just google, many suppliers), problem is that a 3 oz. tube is about $30.00. it works well because it is a reactive adhesive and the bond is good, it does make the repaired spot harder than the unrepaired rubber. i have a 500/250 that has been repaired about 6 times over the last year, i still think the double balloon silicone nozzle is a poor product.

I bought a balloon nozzle from a German supplier. Over there they use a different design, but most importantly they use a synthetic latex. It's latex but modified somehow (google SILKOLATEX). This nozzle is superb, it's last a long time, you can pump it up to great amounts without it breaking and you can use any lube you like.

What I want to see is the larger balloon nozzles sold in the US adopt this material because it is so much better than silicone and latex. It takes the best of both these materials.

I have 2 silicone nozzles and have had no problems, but I still prefex my latex double balloon. The silicone is too hard for me. While I like the peace of mind it brings, I don't care for the full and/or uncomfortable feeling when recieving. It makes me feel like I have to 'go' before I even start! And Susie is right, it's more likely your bulb is loosing air, not the balloon. I always put the extra clamps on mine.

~Linda Marie

Thanks very much Suzie and Linda, I will give those clamps a try.

I've had both the 500cc and 750cc silicone nozzles fail on me, maybe 3-4 total. I read somewhere that a bad batch was manufactured, but I also think I had been over inflating them, stressing the silicone material. It's usually the inner balloon that's failed, either the neck seal at the middle of the nozzle or a split at the neck seal that tears upwards towards the exit end. I'm pumping the 500cc balloon 4x, and the 750cc 7x. Is that too much?

The old latex nozzles worked well, but I've had problems with them drying out on me in less than two years.

No, I don't use anything but KY with them. Nothing petrol based.

Retention wise they work as well, but you have to inflate them quite a bit which can be uncomfortable. Of course some people like that 😃

Jay

I used one of those black inflatable nozzles and you really do have to inflate it quite a bit, and the shape will still distort with the air shifting around so it does not work as well as a double ballon. I was able to push it out, which is interesting because anyone who knows me will tell you I'm a real 'tight-ass" lol

LMAO! 😁

[quote author=hal nj link=topic=22628.msg219084#msg219084 date=1244933474]

Really interesting - thanks for advice since I was thinking of getting a silicone balloon nozzle..

Anyone try using those rubber butt plug nozzles that inflate ( I see them on Ebay for around $40 US), the feeling would not be same as double balloon, but wonder if they work retention-wise?

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They suck, don't bother.

Have just purchased a 250/250 latex double balloon nozzle, i think it is much better feeling than the big silicone nozzles, don't know long it will last, but i will be careful about lubes, only water based. it sealed just fine with 4 pumps.

I'm sure we all wish our favorite balloon nozzles, be they silicon or latex, would last forever but this ain't reality. Even given the benefit of all of your best love and care the amount of stretching and relaxing the material has to endure with each use the pressure will eventually cause a failure. I'm sure that I am also not the only one who overindulges a bit from time to time when using these nozzles. "Just one more pum..." (BANG) 😮 :'(

That said, I do prefer the silicon balloon nozzles and have had better results & lifespan with them than others.

If there is going to be a balloon failure on the silicon nozzle, for me it has been the external (250CC) balloon with the weakness not the internal (750CC).

The good news is that once you have collected two nozzles with external balloon failures, with a little of your own time & ingenuity, you have all the makings of a 750/750 CC balloon nozzle. 😁 😁 😁

Definitely pass on the plug nozzles they are uncomfortable (read painful) and, from my experience, not very effective.

Cheers,

SirInge

There are of course the pumpable disposable balloon nozzles, which are meant for single use only. They can be stretched to last for several sessions, but they're also really cheap - I think 20 dollars or so each, or ten pounds for the UK set. And you can just get them at any medical supply house. Or if you happen to be dating a nurse (!) in the right part of the hospital she should be able to get enough free from the hospital to keep you thoroughly occupied.

You should also be able to find them online

I have had my silicone double balloon for 2 years with no problems yet. The silicone does not stretch like latex. You should only inflate a silicone nozzle just enough to get a seal. I never use more than 8 to 10 pumps for a 750cc balloon and 3 for a 250cc balloon. I usually underinflate the inner balloon a little then add a pump or 2 if there is any leakage.

I would think having a double balloon rectal catheter fail inside you would be uncomfortable as the air in the balloon went bubbling into your bowels. Has anyone had this happen to them?

I have had them fail inside me and the air does not go far inside you. You just quickly fart it out. The balloon air is only in the rectum, and it blows right out the anus. No big deal.

Hey Susie, it's nice to see you again, it's been a while... 😉

I have had my SILICON double balloon nozzle for about 6 months now, so far so good. It get's used probably around 2 times a week.

Sounds like the vibrating butt plug I once had.

A balloon failure inside is no big deal, except for the loss of rectal seal (potential loss of a bunch of fluid!!), the air volume is small no damage to colon tissues, just $150.00 DOWN THE DRAIN.

Where can I still get latex double balloon nozzles? Is it possible to get a 500/250?

Beth tyler sells them, also you can google "uch barium catheter" and find several suppliers, i still think the latex double balloon catheter is superior to the silicone product.

I have a question for those of you who have used both the latex and silicone double balloon nozzles:

How many of you feel that the latex nozzle is more comfortable? Is it considerably better as far as comfort? I have the 500/250 silicone nozzle and I notice that it is very uncomfortable (even before inflating it) because I can feel all of the 'fluted folds' creating pressure points inside. Hurts at first when inflating also, but then after a few minutes the discomfort is pretty much completely gone.