Don't like Fleet Enemas

I just find the solution, however small, to be extremely irritating to my bowel. Never again.

Eric

Well, sure. I find it burns and is irritating (and often doesn't work very well), but for most people it does work OK even if it is irritating. I still reach for the bag almost every time (I still have 9 of a 12 pack of Fleet's after 4 years).

@Justme3 I got my first bag in 2016 from Wal-Mart after turning 18 I joined Zity. Now being 20 and after throwing out my enema bag a couple ago my freshman year of college to prevent it being discovered by family when I went home for summer vacation, I was disheartened to see the enema bag not at Wal-Mart. Recently, I went to CVS to buy KY and to my utmost surprise next to the fleets I saw an enema syringe bulb. I knew they had it online, but I was glad to see it there. The fleets also came in a 9 pack. Like wow.

Fleet enemas do work, i like the theory of them due to the small amount of liquid used as i used to often use them, then out on a diaper and plastic pants and await the inevitable, at the time it was brilliant, emptied right out..............however after a long time ive made the connection between taking a fleets and feeling bloody awfull for the the rest of the day, the chemicals must dissagree with me, so i no longer use, ive found pushing a lump of saddle soap up me had the same end result, but no feeling ill or having an achy guts or sore anus.

I don't LIKE them either, and don't know anybody who does.

They DO however have their place among enemas and laxatives and it would be a lot more difficult if they were not available.

I use them when appropriate, and don't know what I would do without them, but is anything about them enjoyable, .NO!, NO and NO!

So, in your opinion, when is ok to use Fleets? Thanks.

Two likely possibilities with Fleet enemas:

1 - The solution is very hypertonic and is known to cause inflammation of the rectal mucosa

2 - The solution is very hypertonic and can be dehydrating if you don't have enough water. I can't remember how much it's trying to grab from your body, but I think that balance requires somewhere around a liter of water to be added, and that's coming from your bloodstream.

When is it OK to use Fleets? When you need or want an enema and are healthy, well-hydrated, don't have any renal issues, and don't have any mucosal damage in your rectum and sigmoid. Whether you want to use a Fleet's or a different treatment is, as always, up to you. I use them (sometimes) when I want something easier to carry and fast.

...I use them (sometimes) when I want something easier to carry and fast.

Same here, I will use one sometimes for constipation when I don't have the time for a regular enema, and sometimes while traveling.

Lately while using them I have found that my re occuring hemmorhoid seems to heal and feel a little better AFTER the initial burn.. Never heard of any suggestions that the product could help heal a minor hemmorhoid. If the hemmorhoid is like a very small "wound," would the saline, etc in the Fleet help "sterilize" (or whatever the term would be) clean the wound, thus help promote its healing?

I always keep a few on hand. I usually buy them in the 4 or 6 packs, depending on store availability and what's on sale, and I usually stock up whenever they are on sale. I keep stocked mostly the saline ones and I try to keep at least a couple mineral oil ones around too.

Lately while using them I have found that my re occuring hemmorhoid seems to heal and feel a little better AFTER the initial burn.. Never heard of any suggestions that the product could help heal a minor hemmorhoid. If the hemmorhoid is like a very small "wound," would the saline, etc in the Fleet help "sterilize" (or whatever the term would be) clean the wound, thus help promote its healing?

Hemorrhoids aren't wounds, which is a good thing. The issue with phosphate enemas is that the solution can cause tissue necrosis (dead tissue) if there is damage/ a wound in it. Not good. The Fleet won't sterilize and as far as cleaning a stream of water would likely work equally well.

I noticed recently Fleet now making a smaller fleet like enema and selling it as a suppository for quick results.

Will be interested to see if these will be showing up at CVS and other drug stores soon?

Just empty the Fleet out and replace it with water or real normal saline salt water. Works fine, very comfortable, no burning.

Eric

I noticed recently Fleet now making a smaller fleet like enema and selling it as a suppository for quick results.

Will be interested to see if these will be showing up at CVS and other drug stores soon?

They've been at my Walgreens for quite a while, a couple years at least. They use glycerin as the "active" ingredient, not sure of any other chemicals in the composition. It's not a "saline" enema like most common Fleet or generic varieties. I've tried the liquid glycerin suppository a few times, not a big fan.

Just empty the Fleet out and replace it with water or real normal saline salt water. Works fine, very comfortable, no burning.

Eric

What would be a good safe saline (salt) additive substitute for disposable enemas? I don't trust sea salt, I'm concerned about microorganisms coming to life in my colon lol.

I've had only three Fleet-type enemas when a "real" enema was not available. I guess we Golden Agers were spoiled as ri the effectiveness of a traditional cleaning out.

While I should add myself to the list of members here who are not a fan of Fleet enemas, I have to say that I used to have a partner and with him the only enemas we exchanged were Fleet ones.

Naturally I would have preferred something else, like glycerine suppositories and bulb enemas, but given that the Fleet were the only rectal laxative fun we could enjoy, I "learned" to like them. Well, to be honest I loved receiving and even more administering those enemas.

I still think that such a thing creates an incredible bond, and also incredible memories.

Still now, about ten years after those enema experiences, I cannot forget the thrill coming from those sessions, and if I could, even though not my favorite laxative experience, I would have a session at any time with it!

Fleet Enemas (& drugstore brands) ARE GREAT!!!

Just pour out the solution thats supplied & put your own in. They collapse very small and make a super travel bulb.

Active Ingredients:

Monobasic Sodium Phosphate NaH2P04 - 19g (Saline laxative/bowel cleanser),

Dibasic Sodium Phosphate 7g (Saline laxative/bowel cleanser)

I'll get some flak from this post but I have been making my own fleets using empty fleet containers. Certainly not for everyday use but on occasion they have their place. I use a very accurate set of powder scales (used for reloading) that measure in grains or grams. 3 tsp's of Monobasic Sodium Phosphate and 1 tsp of Dibasic Sodium Phosphate make a "lite" version of what is sold in drugstores. Great results IMO. These ingredients can be purchased online from reputable companies and are 99.9% pure. I buy these ingredients in pound containers. Make your own at a savings of 90%.

I have had several fleet enemas in the hospital after surgeries and none worked i ended up getting a soap suds enema that i requested to start with .but who am i to say im just a dumb patient

I don't like fleet enemas. Even the very first one I remember form my mom was a bag and hose. Still remember my dad holding the bag while mom slipped the little nozzle in my bum. I do like the little rubber douche squeezies for a small amount to hold for a couple hours, but for a good cleanout, there's nothing better than a large bag of soapsuds.

I have never been a ' fan ' of the Fleet disposable enemas for many reasons . From my youth I have always been given an enema from a two quart fountain syringe and have been used to the ' large volume ' for a good enema induced bowel movement . The ' squeeze bottle ' does not have the volume of solution I require for a good evacuation . Many years ago , my primary physician ordered a proctoscopic examination . Upon arrival at the specialist's facility , I was advised that I would receive a ' Fleets enema ' prior to the examination . The matronly nurse administered same and I informed her that this ' poor excuse for an enema ' would not promote the desired results and after she and two more nurses administered two more ' Fleets enemas ' I still did have an urge to defecate . I explained to them that only a large volume enema from a bag syringe would induce my bowels to move . Hence my dislike for the ' squeeze bottle ' Fleets enema as to volume but also I do not like the saline contents of the solution . In a past decade to ' Fleets ' credit they did market a very durable enema syringe which they labeled ' Fleets Bag Enema ' which was as I recall a very sturdy pliable plastic complete with ' soap ' , additional lubricant and even a ' waterproof pad ' to be placed under the hips during the enema administration . This ' Fleet ' product I really liked and in the day the durable , as I recall a shade of green in color , syringe was then manufactured in Lynchburg , Virginia .... USA . Today the same ' Fleet ' product is manufactured in mexico and is a far , far inferior product than the original Lynchburg manufacture . Our local drugist sold many of the original ' Fleet Bag Enema ' and restocked often . It is hard to find a now ' vintage ' Fleets Bag Enema as per my above description and these ' bags ' were so durable in that with care they could be kept and used many times over . .... and mine was . I was given several enemas in a hospital setting many years ago with a ' Fleets Bag enema ' where I informed my nurse that I wanted to keep the ' bag ' as a ' souvenir ' of our ' date ' whereupon she laughed and said ........ ' why not .... you have paid for it ' !!! ......... So much for my discourse on the ' Fleet enema ' thread .

I grew up with the bulb, then the bag as a teenager. When I prepared to deliver my first child my mother warned me that I would probably be given a large soapy enema in the labor room. When the nurse told me to turn on my side for an enema, she squeezed in a Fleet. I don't remember much about it other than it worked. I had other things on my mind at the time. My second child came so quick there was no time for an enema but the nurse sent a Fleet home with me saying I had paid for it and some day I would need it.

I used that Fleet one day and bought a few store brand equivalents over the years and find them unpleasant for general use. They burn, and sometimes cause another delayed reaction. And, they don't have one of the most pleasant parts of a good enema - the feeling of the warm water filling me. I much prefer an old-fashioned enema whether with the bulb or bag, soapy, salty, or coffee. I occasionally use a half of a Fleet type to start things up if I have had a large conventional enema and I feel a lot of it is "stuck" up high in me. A half of bottle will usually start the expulsion.

When I DO use Fleet enema it's not because I LIKE them, it's because I think it is the best solution under the circumstances.

I take enemas for chronic constipation, but mostly for pleasure. Fleet enemas are NOT pleasurable! My personal assistant and I are both lovers of the red bag, and as Owner/CEO, I have a private bathroom at the office. People must enter thru her office to get to mine. (Altho I have a secret back door that exits directly to the service elevator area.) She occasionally gets very painful constipation at the start of her period, and if time is not available we keep a supply of Fleet enemas handy in my bath. It's quick and easy to just sit on the toilet, pull her over my lap, and squeeze in a bottle of relief. Usually, I refill the bottle with warm water and give her that one, too. She stays over my lap until she cannot wait. Sometimes, I plug her with my finger while she gets up and we trade out the toilet seat. There have been a few times when I was the one over her lap, but these enemas were not for fun.The fun enemas are with the bag, and after hours in her condo. There's nothing that loosens up the eveninjg like sharing soapy water before other activities!

I hate a Fleet enema.

Mashie

@Lisak said

When I DO use Fleet enema it's not because I LIKE them, it's because I think it is the best solution under the circumstances.

Can you give an example of when that might be?

Can you give an example of when that might be?

Sometime when the convenience of rapid administration, easy portability, and ready-to-use outweighs the disadvantages. Though I don't often use them because for some reason they just don't clean much out on me. They supposedly do the rectum, sigmoid and part of the descending, but for me it's often just the rectum.

I don’t like them either but when they are required for a medical procedure I’ll just follow the orders.

I don’t like them either but when they are required for a medical procedure I’ll just follow the orders.

Bagme53,

I don't use Fleets anymore because my colon and rectum and anus find the solution so irritating. And you and I don't need them. Empty out the Fleets contents and refill it with saline or plain warm water. Shoot the water up your butt and expel, or repeat, or squirt 3-4 Fleet bottles worth of warm water up into your butt and you'll get good cleaning without the irritation. It worked well for me.

Eric

Someone asked in what situations I do you use them in. One where I have used them lately was when I was on the road to a client's site.

I used one in the hotel room the night before so that I didn't have any problems when I was doing the site visit

Fleets can be crampy and as such can be used for punishment. I like to threaten that we are going to the pharmacy and you are going to ask for a Fleet enema while I stand there and watch.Pretty hot.

Read the label on a Fleet! You will never purchase another one! Those tings are nasty and poisonous. In addition to those more pleasant features, they are too small and only single use. Get yourself a red bag which only costs a few dollars and will last for several years. Better yet, make a Jugbag which can last an extended period of time and can be made for only a few pennies.

A word of caution, however. The more enemas you take, the more you will get to enjoy them. I take an enema daily and have done so for many years. I always feel great after one, because an enema a day keeps the doctor away!!

I like to threaten that we are going to the pharmacy and you are going to ask for a Fleet enema while I stand there and watch.Pretty hot.

That is deliciously mean!! 😃