Enemas and Constipation

I have IBS-C (chronic constipation) and without taking enemas, I would be up a creek without a paddle. Enemas are how I manage my bowels. I am enema dependant to have a bowel movement but because of taking them, my IBS is not front and center in my life. They make me feel good physically and give me immense sexual pleasure.

I have IBS-C (chronic constipation) and without taking enemas, I would be up a creek without a paddle. Enemas are how I manage my bowels. I am enema dependent to have a bowel movement but because of taking them, my IBS is not front and center in my life.

Could that be called "being up shitless creek?"

For me the bowel problems came before the enemas, so I don't consider myself "enema dependent" in the commonly accepted sense that taking too many enemas caused the problem. Also, and more important, sometimes things just start working for a bit, and this can even be the day after I take an enema. I can (and sometimes do) use other ways to manage IBS, but for me I find that the enemas are an effective, predictable, generally more comfortable component (used with other stuff, not alone!) of my bowel management "program" than some other ways, so I choose to do them. I also ahve been feeling better and have fewer weight swings since I started bringing them in. Enemas can also be fun, which many of the other options are not (but not all the time - sometimes I'm just not feeling well enough to enjoy them for more than the relief, and there are plenty of times when I either do not have the time or want to "save things" for activities with my wife).

I imagine it's "a sign of the times" when enemas are no longer recommended by most doctors, even for constipation caused by strong pain meds. However, a warm water enema mixed with mild soap is proven over generations to be a quick, safe and reliable remedy when a patient is so plugged up. Enemas can be uncomfortable in these cases, but given by an experienced nurse, they work wonders! If a woman needs to take opiates for pain, she should have an enema bag and learn how to use it. It'll likely save her trips to the ER.

There are reasons beyond some vast "big pharma" conspiracy. While you're right that enemas aren't recommended much, Vicki, it's mostly because they're a hard sell, at least until someone is desperate or has tried them and knows they aren't as awful as they sound. In addition doctors do generally go by "do no harm," and they've seen plenty of idiots who can do significant damage with an enema.

Now that I am an adult, it can happen once every two months. When I was a girl, the only remedy for my grandmother or mom was the enema. We say he has always persecuted me, but now I'm used to it and I like it.

Yes enemas do help with constipation especially if I take suppos first

Ten years ago I had a bike accident. I was given painkillers and could not move much after surgery. I got constipated (5 days without going to the loo, if I recall correctly). Laxatives (including repeated suppositories) did nothing. In the end my wife gave me a couple enemas that solved the issue.

So yes for opiate induced constipation, at least in the short term, a traditional enema with lots of water seems to be the solution.

I have never been one to wait for anything to happen! That includes constipation which makes the "victim" feeling sluggish and miserable. To me, the alternative is to take a nice warm, relaxing prophylactic enema before the constipation has a chance to start. I deplore laxatives which are poisonous, unpredictable and add more misery to a bad situation while making the chemical companies wealthy. For centuries and to date, an enema a day keeps the doctor away.

Who agrees with me?

I much prefer to keep things moving, but ideally a good diet and adequate water will keep them moving most of the time. I am either IBS-C or something else functional that makes it often not work that way, so I am a frequent user of the bag. I take one after two or three days of no go.

I do enemas twice a week when I am able. This week I will have to go seven days because my wife has not been gone during the time and day that I usually do it. I will be able to make it without the one I would have had today, but it may be uncomfortable.

hankb

I also have my enema free periods from time to time. In case I don't have a bowel movement the third day, I will take an enema or suppository. This will get things started and the bowel empties out.

I'm never constipated and go every day with a small douche type syringe. I always clean out after waking up and sometimes before going to bed. My ass is soft clean and well taken care of. Even at eighty eight an enema is wonderful.

I also have IBS-C and take a soapsuds enema every day or two to have a bowel movement. Constipation is part of my life. I can go through the motions of trying to prevent constipation but with no degree of success sans a fairly large volume enema.

My usual routine is a relaxing, warm and soapy enema in the morning after coffee and breakfast. Every day, or every-other-day for over 40 years. No constipation issue here. But I do start to feel lousy if I go three days without a good enema.

I also have IBS-C and take a soapsuds enema every day or two to have a bowel movement. Constipation is part of my life. I can go through the motions of trying to prevent constipation but with no degree of success sans a fairly large volume enema.

My success is rare, though I do try to stretch things out to see if it will start working. It's a balancing act - gotta ask myself "if I wait another day it could start working or it could just get worse, what do I do?"

Like you mine have to be large enough to get up higher. Just went 4 days no BM, and there was traces in the rectum but not packed. Small enema wouldn't do much, large enema and the toilet was clogged.

I too suffer from a type of IBS. I've found if I don't take a couple of medium sized enemas every week at least, I will begin to get blocked and that's all bad from there.

If you are talking about doing regular enemas purely to prevent constipation, yes that is true but for certain circumstances. If you have issues in your digestive system that cause frequent or reoccurring constipation then using enemas regularly can keep the constipation from getting worse and worse.

I am not constipated and do enemas regularly because I find them soothing and erotic. So for me enemas don't prevent a problem I don't have. And I don't want to do enemas too often making my system dependent on them to have BMs (I usually do a single 2 quart Epson Salts enema about twice a week).

But this raises the question- does a regular regime of enemas make a healthy functioning digestive system even more healthy? Well possibly, but I am not convinced that they do. At least that's been my experience based on doing enemas for about 50 years.

I wouldn't count on them making a healthy digestive system run better.

If you have issues in your digestive system that cause frequent or reoccurring constipation then using enemas regularly can keep the constipation from getting worse and worse.

Might be wise to see a doctor - enemas are relieving the symptom not the cause of the constipation.

Might be wise to see a doctor - enemas are relieving the symptom not the cause of the constipation.

In the case that you will know from a detailed X-ray examination of your belly that you have an extremely long colon and so tend to get constipated you will be obliged either to take high enemas or to take laxatives, this on a regular basis.

I had heard it should be more frequent than every 3 days for adults, but that might be old.

5 in 7? Then I was constipated pretty much all the time as a kid.

It really depends a lot on what you eat.

So back to the definition of "hard, dry, difficult to pass stool"

I recall a Jr. High science teacher telling us (1970's) that with humans, "normal" can vary from some people going one to three times a day, to some people who only need to go about once every three days. Seems opinions do, and probably always have, varied though.

Only five bms (without help) in seven days would have got me two enemas that week. BUT, I was seriously a need to do it at least once a day person and I still am. The once a day rule was figured out long ago.. If I miss or just plain can't go one day, I usually will need an enema by the next day.

Perhaps this will depend of the personal feelings in the tummy too. In the case that you will have got stomach ache due to a full stomach, emptying the bowels will be the best to cure this trouble.

If you are not going as frequently as you would like to, then I would definitely start experimenting with altering your diet. Either cutting back on foods that cause constipation and add foods that help stimulate BMs.

I eat a fairly high fiber diet and go at least once or twice a day. I have noticed when I don't eat my regular diet it does affect my system and often makes it harder to have BMs.

I would much rather have a faster moving digestive system than a slower one. I definitely feel much better when I have regular more frequent BMs.

I work with mentally challenged clients. the doctors that i work with tell us they should have a BM every 3 days. if they don't we need to give them a medication to help them go.

An enema a day keeps the doctors away.

I used to be an enema a day kind of person. Then if I skipped a day, or two, or sometimes three I found that constipation was actually encouraged by the practice. Not everyone gets "lazy bowel" like this but I sure do. So I'm down to maybe one or two enemas a week. And if I truly am constipated (my standard: no movement by day 3) then the easiest thing is 5-10cc of liquid glycerin shot up there with a lube syringe and I'm dropping ordnance the old fashioned way within five minutes.

I most certainly do. When a drug is prescribed for opiate induced constipation (duh) I think that enemas are a great alternative. Plus they're a lot of sexy naughty fun❤🚀😜

I do! I love the feeling of those big poops exploding out of my ass.

and I'm dropping ordnance the old fashioned way within five minutes.

Funny - made me laugh.

I take care of business daily, first thing in the morning. Occasionally some food disagree with my GI tract and I’ll need to visit the throne during the day. To prevent irregularitie, I’ll take fiber supplements when traveling.