Constipated? What works best for you?

For occasional constipation, I have tried laxatives, which I view as poisonous, enemas in various volumes and methods of administration , and once or twice suppositories. For me, a plain water four quart enemas or series of them gets rid of the plug. Then after things seem to be loose and flowing, a high enema with a colon tube finishes the job.

How about you? What works for you?

Enemas definitely work best for me. I find glycerine suppositories largely ineffective, and the dulcolax suppositories seem to do a better job of creating a strong burning sensation than they do of cleaning me out. I do, on occasion, take laxatives, and they will clean me out, but taking laxatives at bedtime basically forces me to keep the next morning and early afternoon free. When I go the laxative route, I generally end up finishing with a couple rinse enemas.

As far as enemas go, two quarts of soap suds or water with some lemon juice mixed in will do wonders for cleaning me out. I'm expelling two quarts of soap suds right now, and after a good rinse or two, I'll be good to go.

For real Constipation, an Epsom Salt and soapsuds enema, followed by a soapsuds enema, followed by a dose of Milk Of Magnesia.

In the case of an occasional constipation the best is to swallow 2 oz Castor Oil, this early in the morning, not having breakfasted.

I usually get constipated only when away from home. I just take a two quart tap water enema for constipation. Occasionally I add a little liquid castile soap for more cleaning action, but I don't think that is really necessary most of the time. Also, I try to take the enema early in the morning, as that is when I usually have a normal bowel movement, so that way it doesn't mess with my normal schedule. Then I usually have a normal movement the following morning.

Enemas work best for me, no question. I find it hard to imagine being constipated, feeling lousy, and then taking a laxative that might or might not work overnight. If I give myself an enema, I have relief in a half hour.

Nothing is as fast or effective as a warm soapy enema. I doubt anybody ever had an orgasm from a laxative.

I guess a lot of us from the golden age were imprinted early with the enema as the best, most reliable treatment for constipation, stomach ache and other intestinal problems and have stayed with them in later life. A gentle herbal laxative is an alternative if an enema is not possible for some reason, and maybe a colonic occasionally.

When I was growing up I think mom tried just about every constipation remedy at least once. I remember having Milk of Magnesia, Exlax, castor oil, suppositories and enemas at least a few times. As an adult I have always preferred an enema-not just because of the erotic side of an enema but because they work right away. I remember many times using a laxative and having the effects kick-in at the most inopportune times. Nothing like getting that urge in the middle of the grocery store or while at work.

Without a doubt, an enema is the most predictable and thorough remedy for being constipated. I recall the many lectures I got when I was a kid. When my mother knew or sensed that I hadn't gone in two days, she told me that I was going to get an enema that evening before bedtime. Even while draped over her lap and having bulb after bulb squeezed up my rear, I would ask her why I couldn't have tried a laxative. She reminded me that the last few times she gave me some Feen-a-mint it didn't work and she had to give me an enema anyhow. She added that the enema worked much quicker and also clean me out well. She also said that the laxative had to work its way all the way down to the bottom of my digaestive system but the enema worked at the root of my problem and that it was a healthy thing to get cleaned out with an enema from time to time anyway. I have to admit that I always felt clean and better after one of her enemas and still continue her remedy when the need arises.

Oral laxatives are awful. They take too long to work and you're never sure when or where they'll finally work! So for occasional mild constipation glycerin suppositories work very well for me. If it's not so mild, the best thing is a nice warm soapy enema. I hold it for 15 to 20 minutes and I'm usually able to go without any problem. I always follow that enema with a clear water rinse or two.

A nice warm 2 quart enema always gets things moving for me. I feel much better afterwards.

A warm, but not hot Epsom Salt and Soapsuds 3-qt enema. Followed by soapsuds only 3-qt enemas till clear.

When I am constipated, which happens frequently due to medication I take, I usually take some Milk of Magnesia in the afternoon and a soap suds enema before going to bed.

Sometimes I will take another enema the next morning. I do not like to overdo any form of medication or enemas and laxatives.

Fortunately, I'm rarely constipated. When it does happen, one or two SSE followed by salt/soda/water always does the trick. Patience and comfort makes the process very pleasant.

Nothing works better for me than a hit ivory soap enema! Almost instant reaults and I alwyas feel much better after it!!

I rarely get constipated, only time I ever did was if taking pain meds after a surgery. I don't know why anyone would want to use anything other than than a warm soapy enema and rinse, instant relief and don't have to wait hours for laxatives to work.

If I have a morning "spa day" planned I will drink a big glass of aloe vera juice the night before.

Some of the medicines I take cause constipation; also, my Parkinson's causes it. As most of us agree, laxatives take a long time and are unpredictable when they will work. I have found that the glycerin suppositories may work in a few minutes or a few hours, and they tend to get just the last few inches of my colon clear, which really does not solve the problem. I have ended up taking four heaping teaspoons full of Meta-Musil every morning, and that seems to take care of the problem. Then I can do my four quart enema series when I want to and am able to and enjoy the experience, and not because of some uncomfortable or painful demand of my body. Enjoy doing your enemas, do not do them from necessity.

hankb

I don't like laxatives because you don't know when or if they'll decide to work. Suppositories never give me the feeling of being totally cleaned out and I find Fleet enemas to be a complete waste of time. The only real cure is a two quart enema of Ivory soapsuds. Never failed me yet!

I cound not agree more with Buddy's post.

I didn't like being given enema's, and finally around my 13th birthday, I was offered a choice. 2 squares (adult dose) of Ex-Lax, or an enema. I took the Ex-Lax. When nothing happened for a few hours, I figured I was 'off the hook'. I guess mom knew much better, because at about 5 hours, I suddenly had to go, and go, and go. One of the really unpleasant features of the Phenolphthalein based Ex-Lax was that once it was in your system, it 'circulated', making you go again and again over the next several days. It was infinitely worse than an enema because you never knew when the Ex-Lax was going to kick-in again. So after the Ex-Lax experience it was back to enemas, except for the occaisonal dose of Castor Oil when I want a really thorough cleaning out.

I can see the hospital giving me something soon! On multiple types of morphine and strong pain killers. The words laxative and suppository have been mentioned!

Having just had rotator cuff surgery on my right shoulder (typing this left handed...lol) , I've been taking pain meds--first oxycontin and now oxycodone --so needless to say , I have been having problems with constipation. The pre operative instructions said to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and other high fiber foods, drink lots of water and to take colace(stool softener). Well , I did all that and was still badly constipated, especially the first week when on the oxycontin and not getting much exercise. An enema (even a fleet) would have been my first choice for dealing with the problem, but I am unable to get into a normal position for an enema. So I resorted to suppositories. Luckily they worked!!!!!!!

Enema. NOTHING can change my day like the full ride of digesting enough fluid to feel that edge"past" my comfortable limit. The most cherished part being a Hands Free Orgasm.

Tied only perhaps- by that sense of total cleanliness only given me by a gut stretching enema

I can only repeat what I said on 8/11. You never know when a laxitive or suppository will kick in, so you are tied up for some indefinite amount of time with them, whereas an enema or enema series gets you results right away. I take three or four heaping teaspoons (=6-8 level teaspoons) of meta-musil each day, and that pretty well takes care of the constipation. However, I still like a four quart series using my 60" colon tube from time to time even though I do not really need it.

hankb

Janet28,

Early in the morning, not having breakfasted, take with a big spoon about 1/2 oz Castor Oil in your mouth and mix this there with your saliva for 10 minutes before swallowing the pre-digested Castor Oil without any problems. Repeat this three times and you will haven taken the normal dose of 2 oz Castor Oil for adults. About one hour after having swallowed the the first dose Castor Oil the bowel movement will begin.

Lemon juice with water for drinking is good for acute/ chronic constipation. Make it a daily drink, soon you will get more regular.

Coffee is a natural laxative too.

There are other types of fibers other than psyllium husk (metamucil). Alternate using them.

Visit a naturopath doctor (ND).

Enemas are best.

Nothing works better for me than a warm enema, two quarts will get me going