Would you have the nerve to tell your doctor about your use of enemas?

A couple of times I almost did it while have a physical exam.Then something in my brain said ,"Don't do it".My doctor always ask a ton of questions about my health habits, then he always praises me about my weight and energy level. I supposed if there was a situation where my enema use was related to a certain medical condition then I would tell him about my enemas. What say you?

Yes, I have told my doctor. I had a medical condition that I thought was due to my enemas. He asked me "why do I give myself enemas"? My reply was that I've been giving myself enemas over a period of over 60 years for my comfort and pleasure. He assured me that my conditions were NOT related to my enemas and said "that as I wasn't hurting anyone else and I wasn't hurtung myself, if they give me pleasure and comfort, to go for it". Thanks Doc. Regards, John

I did have an intestinal issue once that was causing a serious cramp in my lifestyle (pardon the pun). I did mention to my GP that I had resorted to enemas to try and deal with the problem. I half expected him to stand on his head and go ballistic but he kind of acted like the word had never crept into the conversation. I didn't tell him for the shock value, but more on a need to know basis, as in "you NEED to know this because I NEED this problem fixed". Nothing. That's okay, I've dealt with it.

Play On!

LadyDoc

I have told both primary and colon therapist. Nurse at primary is a klismo of sorts. Colon therapist highly encouraged their use. No surprises here.

If I felt it was important to the diagnosis I would let the doctor know. But fortunately that hasn't happened yet.

I have ntold my doc and he has no problem with me and my enema use and he has given me more than most people a very good bill of health

My wife has never been enthused about my use of enemas however she has asked me to give her one on occasion.

When I told her that I was taking them regularly she insisted that I tell our doctor when I got my annual physical. When my physical was over I asked the doctor, a female, if she had any problem with enemas. She said: "Not at all as long as you don't take them too often". We change doctors, also a female, and she had no problem with "Colon cleansing". Now I tell my wife that I am going to take some enemas she looks up and says "Fine". 😄

I just had a routine colonoscopy and I told the doctor, after the procedure, that I was "a fan of using enemas", and if he thought, based on my procedure he'd just completed, that frequent enemas were having a negative effect on my colon. He seemed assuring, and said that he saw nothing from my procedure that would indicate I had any problem. He did ask me what liquids I used for my enemas, (I felt I should reply with "only water"). His comment was positive, with that. So, I figure, since he and his camera had just been up there... he should know! But I really didn't expect him to be so congenial about it!

My primary care doctor had been a bit more cautious, when I asked him. He expressed concern with frequency of enemas potentially interupting the chemical balance in my bowel. I could tell he was probably not an "e-fan"!

I left myself get what the PA called constipation. Imagine that? Always thought it you went once a day you couldn't be constipated. Anyway, she recommended some laxitives. I asked if enemas would also work. She replied that they would certainly be faster. I said then that would be what I would be doing. She had no reply to that.

Because of severe constipation caused by meds my Dr. advised enemas. Laxatives washes out the meds I take before they take full effect. The only time I take a laxative is when I am so constipated that my Dr and mother have me take a dose of castor oil before a series of enemas

Janet S

Hmm, doubt it unless I was having intestinal problems and thought it was a contributing factor.

I have had frank discussions with doctors about enemas. Their reactions are usually that there are easier ways to acomplish a bowel movement or evacuation. For GI procedures, I make no secret that I rely on cleansing enemas and will not take any PEG type product, they make me nauseated.

30+ years ago, my PCP was a female doctor. I did talk with her at length about enema usage, and she advised me to use them when ever I felt the need, but not to go overboard with using enemas. She did say that she took one at least once a week herself.

Since that time, I have changed doctors, but never discussed my enema usage with him. But from what I get from him, enemas are only necessary for certain medical tests, and for those, you use the Fleets (ughhh).

No, I dont want my doctor trying to get me a phych consult.

I've discussed them with four female doctors, all four of whom gave me no encouragement at all. The female GI doctor who has given me two colonoscopies said not to use them as prep, because "they don't work."

Early in my relationship with my Primary he sent me down to the ER for an enema. Since that time we have discussed my childhood birth defect and the need for frequent enemas....some at the Minor Operating Room by a nurse. Since that time and after five gut surgeries, I have the choice of frequent enemas or a colostomy.

Easy decision, even if I didn't enjoy them. --thank Gawd I do enjoy them!

the boxcar

I told my Medical Doctor of my use of enemas. His response was it is a good idea given the pain drugs I am taking.

I told my former PCP about my occasional use of enemas. He didn't really say anything about it, one way or the other. I haven't told my new doctor yet.

A couple of years ago I mentioned enemas in passing while being examined by my 70-plus doctor. He made no comment, but I took it as as sign he was OK with them.

Occasional use of enemas just isn't an issue for Doctors.

Now, if you HAD to do an enema on a regular basis - that is something that should be discussed.

I didn't want a Dr to know ever!!!! but now I am 67 and really don't give a shit anymore. I have told my Dr. and he just smiled and kept on going with my physical.

Just switched to a new woman doctor, and never having an invasive procedure before,She told me she was going to check me for occult blood in my stool,and to lower my pants and bend over the exam table.my face went white!!! didnt see this comming!!her finger was up my ass in a heartbeat, and I liked it!! now mind you, I was there just to renew my blood pressure med, and she next asked me if I was ever screened for colon cancer, and I said no. she then writes an order for a Double Contrast Barium Enema!! I thought I was dreaming!! (was very disappointed how UNeventfull it was!! not even ONE cramp!!)when I went back to discuss the results, I told her I have been taking enemas all my life to releave constipation, and asked her to write an order for them for me to give my nurse-friend, and she told me I didnt need one, and to go ahead and take them, she didnt care....

I've discussed the use of enemas with a few of my doctors in the past. I had a GP once that I consulted regarding some digestive issues. He asked if I had tried an enema. I told him that I had not and played dumb. His nurse was most helpful in explaining how to take a tap water enema. The doctor called later and asked if my enema had been successful. During subsequent visits, I told him how much it helped and thanked his nurse for her help.

In another instance, I was scheduled for an IVP which required a bowel prep. I didn't want to take the night off work to stay near the terlet and told his nurse that I wasn't crazy about taking laxatives that could kick in at an inopportune time. I asked about just taking a couple of enemas. She was quite surprised and told me that I'd have to discuss that with the doctor. I sat there for several minutes and explained my predicament and rationale. He was in agreement and said he didn't think any of his patients would ever prefer enemas. He suggested some anti-gas meds to make sure that gas was kept to a minimum. I've now had several procedures and enemas are always my method of bowel prep. I even told him that I had read about hot enemas and hot jacuzzi baths as a way to deal with my all too common kidney stones. He just cautioned that I not burn my sensitive tissues and stay well hydrated.

As an aside, my prostate has remained very healthy with no concerns whatsoever. The urologist just might believe that those nice warm enemas might just contribute to better prostate health.

A couple of years ago I shared with my OB/GYN that I would use an occasional enema for dealing with period-related constipation. She had no problems with that, but said not to overdo it. Whatever you tell a nurse or a doctor in this world of information technology now is part of a permanent record. About a month ago I had an annual checkup and the doctor had a new RN who read my file. She was going thru the usual questions with one of them whether I douched or not. I do and said so, but she warned me of the hazards of douching and that the vagina is a self cleaning organ. Then she asked about my enemas and I said I do maybe one a month and I was shocked when she said my digestive tract is also a self-regulating system and that enemas should not be needed. So, in essence I have been told to stop douching and stop doing enemas. In all honesty I have been doing both for over 35 years and will continue to do them, but I guess that will be a topic that I will no longer share with that nurse.

ONLY SHARE critical information relating to your chief complaint.

If you have a lot to hide, use a "kink friendly" physician.

I had thought about sharing my enema use with my Dr. But when I found out it went on my permanent file, I decided not to. Will only bring it up if I think it concerns a new medical issue.

I did tell my regular doctor. I recently had my annual physical and I we touched on the subject of constipation. I had been a few weeks earlier for a check because I had some minor rectal bleeding due to an over use of suppositories which I told here about. She said the suppositories were ok but just don't overuse them. I then went on to tell her I do enemas but not so often that I have become dependent on them to have regular BMs. But I liked doing them because it enabled my system to reset and I had a very calming feeling in my bowels afterward. She said as long as I don't get dependent on them then it is not a problem. I did not get into my erotic attraction to enemas which is why I really like to do them- the health benefits are just a spin-off of the erotic benefits.

Perhaps with some physicians there is a more liberal minded attitude regarding a persons propensity toward Enema's...whereas others may dismiss it outright by going into a diatribe about not being conducive to ones intestinal wellbeing...Then of course with some countries medical practices & practitioners view to Enema's their stance while being guarded are not necessarily anti Enema either...usually with an off the cuff remark like "if it's not causing a problem'' then adding "try not to be too reliant"...subtle,yet not entirely dismissive.

Many years ago I had broached the subject without going into detail so as to gauge her qualified opinion & thankfully the resulting discussion put me at sufficient ease to explain my own view /attitude....based on a prescribed medication taken over the previous month that had known "binding" attributes (also mentioned within the prescription literature)....Any nervousness or reluctance on my part quickly dissipated as the informative conversation progressed....Her professional opinion & attitude was such than an Enema if it accorded relief then by all means do so,if I found an Enema both more effective & satisfactory...but to bear in mind other alternatives currently available....in no way discouraging either.....Nor were there any part of that conversation entered into clinical notes.

During that particular consultation in part,5 mg Microlax enema sachet's had been suggested as one of the "alternative" means...enquiring further about familiarization with them ??..I replied in the affirmative but stated I felt they were not that thorough in overall effectiveness !!... Her concerns were mainly about patient comfort & not about resorting to an Enema for relief as discussed...It's what is not said that can be even more telling....ie: squeezing sachet's into a nice 2 quart SSE.....don't think that would be wise to disclose or the other "relief" benefit factors.

As a consequence I no longer consider raising the subject of Enema's with a physician to be all that detrimental...though in saying that there will always be reluctance in part because of current day changes in both medical doctrine & pharmaceutical influence.

I told my neurologist about giving myself enemas, I think because it related to my Parkinsonian medicines, but I do not remember for sure. He did not even understand what I was talking about. A while later, I mentioned them to my regular practitioner and he could not get interested in talking about them, so that was the end of that.So much for seeking professional advice.

hankb

Hankb--Pity really,because professionals should take note & be prepared to enter into some sort of exchange dialogue...In doing so thereby achieve a better understanding, irrespective of their own personal attitudes.