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Does anyone know are there any negative effects to doing a daily enema routine?

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"Why is the rum always gone?" - Captain Jack Sparrow

"There is no human problem which could not be solved if people would simply do as I advise." -
Gore Vidal

Hi msshendo, with the approval of my primary care physician and three gastroenterologists, I self-administer daily morning enemas to control my fecal incontinence. These are old-fashioned red bag 2-quart enemas, not the chemical Fleets.

I have found enemas to be the most effective, and reliable, means of preventing bowel accidents and permit me to go about a normal day's activities. The use of enemas does not give you 100 % protection against a fecal accident, but it significantly reduces the probability.

I have self-administered somewhere over 1,600 enemas without a problem.

The negative aspects are that you have to be willing to pay the piper up front each morning. It takes time, but that must be balanced against the time you will not spend changing one or more messy (poopy) diapers. It soon becomes a normal part of your morning bath and toilet routine.

I assume that everyone will check with their doctor before administering enemas for fecal incontinence to identify any medical problems which would make an enema ill-advised.

Enemas are safe when administered with the intended volumes, slowly, and with the bag hung low so as to avoid high and unsafe water pressure in the colon.

A common myth is that enemas will make you enema dependent. That absolutely is not correct. Despite my 1,600 enemas, I have a normal bowel movement almost every morning prior to my enema (my doctor wants me to exercise my normal rectal and sphincter muscles daily as naturally as possible). What can make one enema dependent is constant use of small micro-enemas which do not give the muscles of the rectum a chance to exercise.

The unpleasant aspects of the enema include cramps and the odor upon expelling. The degree of cramping can be affected in part by amount of mild soap used, enema solution volume, water temperature, the rate of fill, and body position (never, ever, take an enema while sitting on a toilet). Soap, which stimulates cramping, makes the enema much more effective - the cramps are a healthy exercise of the muscles in the colon.

With some experience in taking enemas it becomes much easier. Both the body and the mind accommodate the procedure.

I believe that I posted my detailed 29-page white paper "Preventive Enemas for Fecal Incontinence" in the archives here. If you do not find it, let me know and I will find a way to get it to you. Others have found it to be very helpful.

I do not want to bore the group with more information unless there is an interest in the subject. If there is, please say so or ask questions. I have conducted extensive research on the topic.

I hope this helps.

--John

JD,

As far as I am concerned, this is not boring at all. MY GI system is fixated on doing just about everything it can to make my life miserable. This might be the solution; I intend to ask about it when I get my six month appointment next week.

Thanks.

Patrick,

You may find that your doctor does not initiate a discussion on enemas to control bowel incontinence as the general population usually is averse to the idea, but that he receives a well thought out proposal very well. Most younger doctors are not well informed on the topic and have relatively limited experience.

You should find that my white paper on the use of enemas, which includes links to medical papers on the topic, will well equip you for a discussion with your physician. It helps to be able to reassure your doctor that you are well-informed on the subject and particularly know enough not to do anything unsafe. People on some other forums have found it to be very helpful and have provided me with some very positive feedback.

Can we attach a file to a personal message in this forum? If so, I can send you my white paper that way. If not, send me an email address by PM and I will email it to you in RTF and pdf formats. The same applies to anyone else who would like a copy of my paper.

--John