Do you prefer enemas or laxatives?

I have chronic constipation, so, daily oral laxatives, and my PCP encourages enemas if I can when needed, if not a good "result", she tells me to email her, and she will set up for a "infusion" in the hospital "treatment room"

Definitely enemas for me.

Got to be enemas, or saddle soap, i prefer to clean out via my bum so i get it over and done with very little issues, anything taken orally can happen at any time, often when it isnt convenient !

Enemas hands down, immediate results! It's helps to completely 'reset ' my system.

Other than doctor ordered oral laxatives prior to a colonoscopy, I have not taken an oral laxative in about forty years. I hate them. A couple of squirts with the bulb if I am in a hurry or one or more bag enemas when I have time has served me well.

Never a laxative unless prior to a medical procedure. If I need something quick I use a bulb enema. Only a few minutes and all is good.

I have never felt the need to choose! my biggest thrill is to get an "indigestion treatment" beginning with a brisk oral laxative, after i has kicked in and i have voided a couple times, it's a nice soapsuds 2 qt enema.

Not hard to figure out what most people here are going to choose. I recommend a good enema to anyone I can give one to because hell, I'm anal and nothing is sexier than the browneye to me. I personally hate them and have a magnesium supplement that I take on the rare occasions I am backed up. I've found that a few beers usually works just as good and that doesn't mean shooting them up my ass. Nothing like a good brewdog on Friday after work. In fact only 101.5 hours until BEER!

Enemas only for me; no need to introduce more chemicals into my body. Water is pretty much a body's natural friend. Sometimes a little J&J shampoo for added cleansing, but I see no need for chemicals to get my digestive tract in shape-I use fruits and vegetables for that purpose.

Enemas don't burn unlike laxatives and they give faster relief. Enemas all day everyday (more like once or twice a week), but you get the picture. Enemas leave some cramping, but the relief after it all is the best.

Enemas are predictable. May take an hour or so to expel everything, but that is better tan waking with diarrhea in the middle of the night - or during a business meeting!!

Each has it's place, and a slow acting laxative like bisacodyl can reduce the number of rounds it takes to finish the job

Aside from a Fleet Enema one to two hours before starting your prep, any colonoscopy prep should stick to the laxative the doctor gives you.

I would prefer an enema any day to a laxative. Besides being more fun it is much better to get it done and over with than to have the process go on and on.

Aside from a Fleet Enema one to two hours before starting your prep, any colonoscopy prep should stick to the laxative the doctor gives you.

I sure wouldn't take a Fleet or soapsuds or glycerin enema before anyone was going to be looking at my guts unless it was specifically requested. A study on the effects of various enema preparations had endoscopic pictures of the intestines. The Fleet and glycerin enemas had inflammation that even I could readily notice, the soapsuds was not as much but still present. Seems like a recipe for a potentially embarrassing explanation ("why didn't you do what we told you?" type) or the doctors pushing for further investigations or repeat visits.

You will not only have to differentiate between enemas and laxatives but further between laxatives working directly by irritating the bowels and laxatives working indirectly by activating or synthesizing certain substances in the human body.

Why? Sounds like you're talking about stimulant laxatives in both cases. Yes there is a difference, but it is not as big as the difference between stimulant and osmotic laxatives. Also the second of your categories seems to be pretty much only castor oil.

OMG that is a easy choice to make, enemas all the way! Nothing better than a good old fashion SSE and I mean with ivory soap.

I suppose that this will not only depend of the mood, but of the sort of an embarassement you will be exposed.

I remember an incident when I was maybe 9 or 10 where mom thought I needed an enema, and I am sure I did, but I did not want to take the time. It was not that I disliked enemas but maybe Bonanza was on, or something like that, where I did not want to take the time for an enema. So she said if I don't want the enema I would get a dose of Fletcher's Castoria at bedtime. I will remember that name forever because the next morning I had to shit. Again and again all morning. Good thing it was not a school day. I vowed then and there to never use a laxative like that if there was any alternative.

Much prefer an enema. You know when it's going to "hit" you and you know it's going to be done with you fairly promptly. And it's an enema.

Just answering the title line, What answer HERE would you expect? Certainly, enemas are better!

Works right away, no belly gurgling for hours and results when least desired, as with a laxative.

Jon

Got to be enemas every time if you need to get on with your day, i do however use soap sticks when i want to fill a diaper for fun, they usually work in an hour or so.

On 2 occasions though enemas caused issues as i was sure i was empty, but half an hour later there was more enema to come out NOW !

On a slightly different line, id like to try castor oil and wear a diaper, just to experience it.

I have very seldom used oral laxatives other than paraffin oil (some kind of indigestible grease that lubricates the bowel — mom gave it to me when I was constipated) and prunes. I would hesitate before using a product that could lead to a strong urge to have a bowel movement at unpredictable times. An enema is predictable: you poop and that's it (though, if large, may fail to come out in one shot... and it seems that soapy enemas have a lasting effect).

WOW! Finally, an easy one on zity! No grey matter required on this one and still on my first cup of coffee!

ENEMA! No thought needed. No time wasted, no uncertainty, no "after shocks", nothing unpredictable. Fill the bag, insert the retention cath/tube and take it in 3 positions, and hold for 7 to 10 minutes and done!

Next?

Play safe!

Without a second thought enemas. Quick, easy no waiting. An enema for me anytime.

No laxatives for this girl!!! I am really not comfortable in putting known or unknown chemicals including all other medications into my body. I have had only a couple laxatives in my life and it was not a pleasant nor predictable experience.

Enemas are my choice when I get the urge for pleasure to have one but almost always with plain water. I will say that I believe a regular clean out with an enema or enema series seems to be a good thing at least for me even though not needed for regularity due to healthy eating for the most part!! That being said, I suddenly have an unfulfilled urge to go and have an enema, but am disappointed in that it is not a good time right at this moment. Perhaps later!! Denise

I would hesitate before using a product that could lead to a strong urge to have a bowel movement at unpredictable times.

Exactly this will be the challenge in the case that you will love adventure.

Good grief. Who wants a laxative when an enema is quicker--and a lot more fun!

Can I just say without laxatives, but especially without enemas those with severe constipation without pooping would die. So thank goodness for enemas. We have to poop and urinate to get rid of the wastes.

Well folk, the saga continues. The lovely antibiotics given for the diverticulosis attack that a cat-scan determined was also leaking thru a "microscopically small" hole, brought about "mush fecal matter" that also had a tendency to 'leak' giving me a "chapped ass". --ain't nothing like a chapped ass to get your attention. Interestingly enough...I still needed to do an enema to get rid of it since my lack of any and all peristalsis condition. A real WTFO! My ER-Dr limited me to 1 qt every other day. --no high and a lot (and no fun) Oh well. Getting old is sure fun.

Hey, I'm happy to still be able to play jazz and to chase my Vet-Nurse wife about the house...and still able to do something about it!

Life does go on.

the boxcar

@LisaK Every enema lover needs a bulb. It is the best thing for a quick enema other than a fleet. You just fill with warm water and you're good-little cramping and such a help when constipated. Best thing I bought as a busy girl myself. Trust me it's worth it.

Meg

I definitely prefer enemas and suppositories over laxatives. I've been given Ex-lax as a child with, unfortunately, accidents in the pants because when a laxative works, it works...and you can't predict when!

Suppositories generally work in 15-30 min tops (depending on brand, type). Enemas work in 15-30 min tops, no brand, type necessary. ;>😉