Safety | Enemas and Diverticulosis 2/2

Views: 2361 Created: 2012.08.24

First post

I have diverticulosis, confirmed by both a CT scan and more recently a colonoscopy. Had one attack of diverticulitis in October 2011. Been fine since but occassionally have very mild tenderness in the magic spot on the left side. Goes away after a few hours.

Had my colonoscopy late July 2012 - the surgeon who performed it said everything went well.

Yesterday I saw my family doctor for some follow up. Things look good. I asked him about enemas. He told me straight out that the medical profession is against them. From his perspective, enemas are to be avoided because of pressure and some irritating substances. Being full to the point of cramping and retaining through cycles of cramping is very hard on the colon and dangerous if one has diverticulosis. However, if someone is in the habit of having enemas already it may be possible to acceptably alter their habit by keeping the water pressure low, expelling the water before any cramps and avoiding any irritating substances, saops etc. If this advice is followed the rinsing of fecal material out of the diverticuli could be helpful for diverticulosis. Follow up by orally taking electrolytes and yogurt.

He asked me if I was "an enema enthusiast" and I was honest and spilled my guts with all the details. He said I had the bag way too high [ I used to hang my bag on the shower and lay in the tub]. He said keep the bag no higher than 2 feet off the floor assuming you are laying on the floor or in a tub. Use two clamps - one for on/off and the other to vary the flow. Avoid latex bags for anything more than occassional [once or twice a year use] as the latex exposure could over time make one allergic to latex. Avoid PVC tubing. Open top are easiest to clean, clear silicone is the best for avoiding mold / mildew issues. At the first sign of feeling full, expell, repeat. Avoid cramps. A session should consist of multiple little rinses so there is no pressure, no strain on the colon.

He told me that some level of "enema enthusiam" still exists among medical professionals even today. While they won't recommend it to others, they will use it themselves.

Bagfull

You certainly need to listen to your body on this one. I think the diverticuli, being weak spots can rupture which would be catastrophic. So I suggest not challenging yourself with volume.

EnemaAndIvory

Enemas with diverticulitis is VERY risky.

Bagfull

I've backed off because of diverticulosis. If I "hang a bag" I yield to a sense of pressure right away and go expel. Otherwise I am sticking to bulb enemas and some careful applications of a Higginson.

jimmyt44

It seems that almost all physicians today are opposed to any kind of irrigation, vaginal, or colonic. In the 20's through the 60's, their opinions were opposite. They claim that douching causes pelvic inflammatory disease and bad alterations in the vaginal flora. Now, they say that enemas are harmful to colonic mucosa and diverticula. All this ignores the extensive history of human irrigation that went on for over a 100 years and the rare problems that happened.

I think irrigation is now not "in vogue". The pendulum may swing back in several years. In the 70's, women with post menopausal symptoms got estrogen replacement therapy for life. Now, they are lucky to get HRT for a year. Some studies showed that reduction in the estrogen dosages eliminated the dangers of cancers of the reproductive organs and have a beneficial effect on the female heart. Irrigation is just not "in style" these days with modern medicine.

Curt2299

About 7 years ago, after a colonoscopy, I was informed that I have diverticulosis. I did a lot of research at that time. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a lot of good information about diverticulosis and diverticlitus.

I continued enemas the same as before. Most of mine are pretty close to 3H enemas. There were no ill effects. About 2 years ago I came down with divirticulitis during a period when I hadn't had an enema in about 3 weeks. It was bad. I ended up in the emergency room twice. The first time they gave me antibiotics that didn't work. The second time they got it right.

Of course, enemas were a no no while I was sick. A couple weeks afterward my wife resumed my enemas. Our bag is always high, so there is pressure. I haven't had any further episodes.

My doctor told me that most diverticuli are located in one place in the bowel. He suggested getting a section of my bowel removed if I start having too much trouble with it.

I don't remember where it is, but I watched a video that had a colonoscopy nurse talking about the same thing. It is her job to give enema prep for colonoscopies. She said it takes enemas till clear to clean out the diverticuli. She had a name for the little balls that come out of the diverticuli. She stated that she thought monthly enemas would be good for anyone, and especially those with divirticulosis. She was talking about enemas till clear.