Can enemas cleanse the colon completely for colonoscopy?

It's been my experience that while enemas seldom clean you out effectively enough of a satisfactory colon scan, they will reduce the amout of material to be evacuated, and thereby, the amount of oral laxatives you'll have to take.

For my last colonoscopy, I took a milk-and-molasses enema (supposed to be very effective) and followed it with a bagful of soapsuds two hours later. But I was still passing solids during a couple of baking soda rinses.

So I resigned myself to the recommended two quarts of HalfLytely, which I'd at least been able to chill to mediate the awful taste of the stuff. Suprise! Returns were completely clear after only 3 of the 8-oz. glasses.

I was able to decline sedation and see the results of my litte experiment as well.

Reading a gastroenterology book, I learned why they never ordered soap suds enemas in the days before PEG solutions;the soap irritates the bowel and could lead the gastro. to feel there is early ulcerative colitis present, mistakenly.

The authors said that soap suds can leave inflammed tissue present for up to two weeks. They use to use saline enemas only. They said soap suds was OK prior to barium enema X-ray, but not before scoping.

There have been multiple suggested preps for colon exams over the years. When the colonmoscopy scopes were first introduced, any form of laxative was used to clean out the colon followed in the morning by at least a liter of saline enema; then as time marched on, we came up with laxatives that did not deplete the electrolytes to they did the trick and the enemas went by the way side. I use the mag citrate and dulcolax prep and it works great. Most of us know what really cleans us out and if you are not afraid to say "yes I did the prep" you should be ok with anything that gets the colon clean. Remember it must be clean all the way through for a colonoscopy.

Does anyone know if the body ever stops producing chyme? Like during complete fasting for multiple days?

Does swallowing saliva produce chyme?

If you have an infection and your white blood cells/immune system eats up the intruders, does it produce a waste product that gets output as chyme?

If you have fatty liver and start dry fasting, does the body turn the fat cells into chyme to be removed from the body?

Thanks in advance.

If people would only do the preps the physicians recommend. . . . .

Chyme is what flows down the small intestinal on its way to the large intestine. It contains food products, digestive enzymes and other products.

Only food waste comes out your intestinal tract at the bottom end. Once food is absorbed by the body (out of the digestive tract and into the body) waste is dissolved in the blood and urinated out. Technically, the digestive tract is not considered the "internal milieu" i.e. inside the body.

All other waste products, dead blood cells, phagocytized bacteria, fats from any stored body source, etc is all ultimately urinated out.

Do you have any links on phagocytized bacteria being urinated out of the body?

I believe you I'm just researching something and want to know more.

Thanks.

No, but all waste products taken out of the blood are filtered out by kidneys, spleen, liver and those waste products are ultimately passed by urination because the waste products are dissolved into solution.

Ok thanks, do you have any idea if water/saliva produces chyme when swallowed?

It's a component of the fluids.

What are you going to do to prevent it? Spit for 24 hours??

Don't worry about it. Just relax and do what your physician says.

It will make everything a lot easier on everybody.

YOU MUST DO A TOP TO BOTTOM CLEANSE, WHICH MEANS DRINKING THE STUFF YOU ARE GIVEN.

I don't have to do a colonoscopy I'm just researching something and Google directed me to this website.

Dogman, I hope you realize this is a fetish website.

Be careful what you accept as valid, truthful medical informatiion.

If you want GOOD scientific information, DON'T use google. Anybody can post anything they want on the internet and google doesn't tell you if it is valid information or not. Use GOOGLE SCHOLAR. That has only refereed scientific information.

"Can enemas cleanse the colon completely for colonoscopy?"

I had a flex-sig once wich is putting a scope just up the lower colon. Anyway, they gave me suppositories and that didn't clean me out to my satisfaction (if you know what I mean). So I took a quick enema before going in. The doctor, seeing that I was 'clean' decided to go further and did find some polyps and removed them. The furthest part of my colon was still a little 'dirty, but if I had taken a second enema, I would have been pretty darn clean. I figure that enema saved me from getting cancer because I was clean enough for the doctor to spot and remove the polyps.

Anyway, "Can enemas cleanse the colon completely for colonoscopy?" I think so, as long as you haven't eaten recently.

. . . . "Can enemas cleanse the colon completely for colonoscopy?" I think so, as long as you haven't eaten recently.

Saying you think so isn't a good reason when you consider that you are wrong, and if you ask the gastroenterologists, they will tell you people who don't do the preps they prescribe, are dirty, and their procedure has to be rescheduled after they get started.

When people do this, it is a waste of their time, MY insurance premium monies, and makes it harder for other patients to be seen in a timely manner.

Amen sista! Just do the darned prep as it's prescribed. It's really not that big a deal and if a wussy girl like me can handle it, then anyone can.

My gastroenterologist asked me before the procedure how I thought the prep went. I was honest and said I didn't think it had gotten me completely cleaned out, but that as far as I was concerned he better go ahead and do the procedure because this was his only chance. He went ahead and scoped me with no problems.

Just do the prep, then there is very little need for debate on the matter.

Susie and Lady, I did the prep as prescribed for the flex-sig, which is a mini-colonoscopy. what I did was go beyond and that cleaned me out even better. The doctor turned the table I was on around so I could watch the progress on the monitor. It was pretty fascinating.

. . . . I did the prep as prescribed for the flex-sig, which is a mini-colonoscopy. . . .

A flex sig is to a colonoscopy as a thong is to an evening gown.

I'm sure it was interesting for you to see your insides.

Not too many people get to do that.

I'm sure your doc was happy you were well prepped for your flex sig, but the prep for a colonoscopy needs to be a much more rigorous top to bottom cleanse.

A flex sig is NOT done to see if you need a colonoscopy. It is done to save money because it is a simpler procedure.

What if there are polyps farther inside your colon?? The flex sig tells you nothing about that.

If you had a flex sig in 1997, you are definitely due for a colonoscopy now.

I get a colonoscopy every five years or so. I mentioned the year because things have changed. I was in Houston then and Omaha now. Might have been the difference in insurance companies too.

For what it's worth, my first colon scan, (a simple flrx-sig), was also done in Omaha, at a facility along West Dodge (US 6), not far from Boys Town. I was told 2 Fleets would produce a sufficient prep, and the policy was to keep a clean scope out in plain view to calm any jtters for first-timers.

When another 'scopy was recommended here in Allentown some 8+ years later, I did the HalfLytely "trip", and backed it up with a few rinses of my own. That one involved the full 30" "scope, but I felt only momentary discomfort, when the scope was eased around the curves with some digital pressure from outside. I was allowed to decline sedation and "warch the show", and was advised that while it involves more time and cost, a ten-year-period between scans is now considered safe if no family history exists and no polyops are found; but the flex-sig has reportedly been discouraged in favor of the "heavier artillery".

Flex-sigs, I was told, are now Passe" just about eveywhere

I've got a flex-sig coming next week and the prep is supposed to be just two little Fleets which I am supposed to receive a few minutes before the exam. That being said, I'm under 50 and they just wanted to check because of past reports of rectal bleeding.

They CAN cleanse the LOWER bowel completely. But only briefly. The small bowel can dump content into the lower bowel as often as every 20 minutes. The small bowel should be cleared with laxatives.

Hello LisaK,

You are completely correct. A bottle of citrate of magnesia on an empty stomach will flush out the small intestine fairly well.

It can be combined with Dulcolax tablets to push out the heavy material in the large intestine.

A stimulant to the small intestine will clear that out and begin clearing the large intestine. Castor oil is excellent for this procedure.

Had a colonoscopy a few years ago and was told the prep the night before was to repeatedly drink that whatever it was awful stuff over a period of time, until it was all gone. At least a half gallon or so, I think. Couldn't quite stomach the entire container full, but the Doctor didn't seem to notice or care during the procedure. Anyway, a large enema option, or the disposable Fleet's were never mentioned by anyone involved. Sure wish it was! Far more enjoyable. I'll definetly ask about a far more pleasant enema option before my next colonoscopy.

Just a note from my experience, if at all possible, don't go halfway - get the full colonoscopy. I had a flexible sig and a year later Colon cancer surgery. Golitely and whatever other dreadful stuff that must be swallowed is nothing. Enemas are of course another matter entirely. BTW it's been ten years and no problem.

I've done colonics as a preparation for colonoscopy exams. But here is the catch. I did the colonics in addition to drinking the liquid prep, not in place of the liquid prep. Having the colonic first seemed to cut down on the negative side effects of the liquid prep. (Golightly in earlier years and Half litely in later years.)

I have also had a colonic along with the prep liquid for all three of my colonoscopies, and the combination worked well. Enemas certainly are wonderful for what they are intended to do but inadequate for a total colon cleansing.

I find lots of liquids (yes beer counts) for a day or two before leaves a pretty clean colon.

In reading through the posts, I think the one sure thing that can be said is that everyone is different. I have been a semi regular enema user for over 35 years. I had my first colonoscopy about 18 months ago. I have a very sensitive stomach and would not be able to drink the usual fluid prep (I'd throw it up). A friend who has colon issues and has had several colonoscopies recommended Mirilax. From what he told me, you can mix it into any drink and it will not change the taste or texture of the drink. I asked my doctor and my pharmacist about Mirilax and the doctor said no, I had to use the $60 copay drink (that I would throw up). I should also note he used the company's pre-printed prescription notes for the stuff. The pharmacist said she had used Mirilax, but had to go with what the doctor said. My colonoscopy was scheduled for Monday morning. My last solid meal was Friday night. I also tried a dose of the Mirilax in a Diet Coke that night (I couldn't tell it was in there). I fasted on Saturday and took some more Mirilax in coffee. Again, I couldn't tell it was in there. I also took a SS enema and a rinse enema. On Sunday, more Mirilax and four enemas, including a 4 qt rinse. The morning of the procedure, another rinse enema that was clear. I'd never had an IV or had been sedated before, so I was a little stressed by that. The IV was a piece of cake, but when they gave me the Demerol, I was out like a light. I was trying to get into position and the next thing I knew, I was being asked to take a sip of Diet Coke in recovery. They said everything was fine and I was cleaned out fine as well. But the Demerol made me sick and I threw up in the recovery area and again on the way home. I did not have any desire to eat anything again until later that evening.

Absolutely. But you DO have to do the clear liquid diet. I also take one bottle of magnesium citrate, mid day, the day before. You do have to use large volume enemas, though. That means 2.5 - 3 liters, in order to reach the cecum (the end of the colon). It also helps to take one or two enemas as close to the exam as possible. Good luck.

I'm having the big "C" in two days. Had one about 8 years ago by drinking a gallon of that awful stuff. This time my doc prescribed "Suprep", which is a kit containing two 8 oz. bottles of a liquid and a special mixing cup. You combine one 8 oz. bottle of the stuff with another 8 oz. of water, mix, and drink followed by at least two 16 oz. cups of water in an hour. The next dose is taken about 4 hours before the procedure. I was told that this stuff works better than anything else. I also have to drink a bottle of magnesium citrate tonight (two days before the procedure). Asked my doc (who has been doing this for a very long time) if taking enemas would be a good substitute, and said "absolutely not". But that is only one opinion. The big C is no longer a big deal. Good luck.