For years, with medical approval or by presciption, I have used daily morning enemas to manage my bowel incontinence. This has been very successful.
I am not referring to the chemical Fleets enemas, but rather to old-fashioned soapsuds or tapwater saline enemas often administered from a hanging red rubber bag. You may be surprised to learn that this is gentler on my system than laxatives. I like the fact that once done I almost can forget about fecal incontinence until the next morning.
While my enemas are very “retro,” a recent innovation has been the use of catheters (nozzles) with inflatable balloons to “plug” the anus to help hold the enema solution in place. Currently I am using a double balloon catheter (DBC) that works well for me. It was approved by my SCI rehab docs and completely relieves me of the need to overstrain my weakened sphincter muscles to retain the nozzle. With the DBC I don’t leak a drop so no more unpleasant cleanups.
I also have used the Peristeen Irrigation System, but the DBC system is more effective for me.
Who else is using enemas to manage their bowel incontinence, at least sometimes? What are you using and how has it workd for you?
—John
(double incontinent)