Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) & The Enema

Ever since I had a colon resection due to the removal of a malignant tumor, I've experienced all the symptoms of IBS-A. My doctor recommended more fiber, but that irritated my colon and brought no relief. Even though taking probiotics (or even just plain yogurt) calms my colon somewhat, I nevertheless suffer from chronic discomfort and IBS-A symptoms unless I take an enema every 2 or 3 days -- 2 quarts of tap water. With that regimen, I can lead a normal life.

My question is this: Does the chlorine in a tap water enema kill off the 'good' intestinal flora, thus requiring a regular source of probiotics to replace it?

My question is this: Does the chlorine in a tap water enema kill off the 'good' intestinal flora, thus requiring a regular source of probiotics to replace it?

That's a good question.

Also, I can't imagine chlorine does any good for an over sensitive bowel. I'm just guessing here, but if I had IBS, I wouldn't use chlorinated tap water for enemas. The whole point is to calm down and soothe the bowel, isn't it? Chlorine is bad stuff.

I too had colon resection surgery following a bout with diverticulitis. It has taken awhile to find the right mix of foods and supplements. I also take a probiotic supplement and eat a lot of yogurt. But I find that if I also eat foods with digestive enzymes (mango, papaya, pineapple) With every meal it helps maintain a healthy gut. This is one thing I read on Facebook that actually worked!

I would not use chlorinated water for enemas or for drinking for that matter. I think it really messes with the good bacteria in your system. It's much better to use purified or filtered water

Even though taking probiotics (or even just plain yogurt) calms my colon somewhat, I nevertheless suffer from chronic discomfort and IBS-A symptoms unless I take an enema every 2 or 3 days -- 2 quarts of tap water. With that regimen, I can lead a normal life.

My question is this: Does the chlorine in a tap water enema kill off the 'good' intestinal flora, thus requiring a regular source of probiotics to replace it?

No cancer or resection here, but I also have functional issues that seem to be significantly improved by regular enemas (to the point where I get BMs every 1-2 days between enemas if I take them every 3-4 days, but if I don't do the enemas then things stop working).

The chlorine in treated water is at a maximum of 4 PPM in the US, this is the federal upper limit so water systems will likely have a much lower concentration, as the WHO recommended concentration is at least 0.5 PPM and they will prefer to not risk having the EPA on their back. At that concentration the bactericidal activity of the chlorine will likely be insignificant next to the mechanical removal performed by the water.

I get BMs every 1-2 days between enemas if I take them every 3-4 days, but if I don't do the enemas then things stop working.

I'm in that same boat, Moliere.

Thank you for your input Radio, Rt40 and Moliere. Very helpful advice.

Anyone have recommendations for good more IBS-specific forums? I don't know if this is the ideal place for the more IBS-specific questions, but I don't want a forum that's too pro-drugs or automatic "enemas=bad," but I do want one that is accurate.

I have ibsd. Yes, enemas help. I start feeling pain and they help instantly. There are days I get backed up and they help then also.

If you are worried about water messing with the bacteria, DON'T. Chlorinated tap water isn't exactly swimming pool water. This is not a problem.

ANY water washes out practically all the bacteria anyway.

Normal feces, that means people who do NOT take regular enemas is 25-50% bacteria by weight depending on the diet. If you have a clear return or do a colonoscopy prep, you have washed out practically everything.

My personal take is that I would strongly encourage people who are doing enemas for IBS maintenance or rescue to not go for a clear return. Nobody's going to be looking up there, and you probably don't get any benefit from a clear return as far as easing symptoms vs just getting most of the crap out.

I figure that my protocol gets most of the chunks out and about 2/3 of the total material, and that works fine. Poking at my bowels more doesn't seem to improve things, and generally if you poke too much things can start going downhill again for a while. If I'm feeling really shitty I might try one or two more enemas, but results can be variable - sometimes I feel better, sometimes not. Sometimes things aren't working and I know I'm only getting less than half out, but often it's better to walk away, put up with it for a while, and try again later than going for a marathon session.

My mother (who was a Nurse professionally) was diagnosed with IBS in her late 40's. Her remedy of choice was E's for relief (not by large quantity) & as far as is known never resorted to a "till clear" result as it's unnecessary. She always took care of her health matters & remained physically fit right up to the latter part of the last decade of her life

As far as recipes, I was scolded when I had a prior zity account for using anything besides baking soda and salt. Baking soda and salt is all you should use besides plain water.

. . . Baking soda and salt is all you should use besides plain water.

If that's all you are using, you are missing out on a lot of good times and recipes!

Wife has bad IBS, alternating. I give her 2 16 oz. tap water enemas every morning, so she can work without problems. It's so common there is no erotic feeling for either of us.

@SwitchableSusie anything else just irritates. Do you have ibs?

anything else just irritates.

If you know what works in your body and for your needs then stick with it. IBS is variable enough to where you can't expect that something that works for someone else will work for you - but it might be worth trying once or twice. I've picked up tips from people on here that work well for me, generally after a few tweaks.

Here's an example - my IBS generally doesn't like too easy of an enema. The nice, soothing salt and soda ones will stay inside far too often. I need one with a bit of a kick, you don't. That said I need to be careful with too much of a kick - but again there are times when an atomic enema is just what I need.

It's so common there is no erotic feeling for either of us.

You're right there. I've managed to get it eroticized a few times, but it definitely requires an effort if you're used to taking them often because you have to.

@moliere you sound like a seasoned enema taker. @jimmyt44 I think I will always get pleasure from enemas. I am too erotic not to.

@moliere you sound like a seasoned enema taker.

Unfortunately yes. Four and a half years of IBS-C, and for most of that time I've been using enemas for rescue and later maintenance (along with fiber and Mirilax). Other laxatives are either unpredictable or very uncomfortable (or both).

@jimmyt44 I think I will always get pleasure from enemas. I am too erotic not to.

I think I'd like to, or at least easily have the option to (I'm sure there will still be many days when it's "get 'em in, get 'em out, get it done I have things to do). I've enjoyed them a few times, and it definitely adds to the experience. Any tips to cultivating that, especially on days when you're not feeling fantastic and/or you're thinking "yeah, I should take an enema or I'll regret it, but..."?

@moliere I feel your pain. Although being pregnant, my ibsd isn't bad. I only had a couple of flare ups recently. As far as tips to enjoying enemas, I am that anal erotic in general. I say that my anal hole is my second pussy.

If one suffers from irritable bowel syndrome, are enemas helpful or hurtful?

There is some recent discussion about probiotic enemas for IBS. Not a Doctor here advocating or not advocating them, just pointing to a discussion thread.

https://en.zity.biz/index.php?mx=forum;ox=display;topic=118001

I‘ve been going to a female naturopathic doctor for the past couple of years, after having limited success with G.I. specialists for an occasional mild inflammation with constipation. The naturopath prescribed warm water enemas with aloe, followed by a probiotics retention enema. At first I was doing them weekly, then every other week and now monthly. Other parts of the plan include diet, exercise, hydration, and stress reduction. Long story short, enemas help, at least they do for me.

I see there are some benefits. I've been told that enemas can also make it worse so I guess try it and see if it helps or hurts.

My internist told me that one of the best pallitive treatments for IBS is a wheatgrass juice enema. It seems to soothe the intestinal mucosa, which helps to calm the muscular contactions and enables the lower intestine to absorb more water.