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Posted 3/17/2008 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
I've been told that I'll need to have one soon, as I need to have some tests done. Oh, the joy.

I've never had one before. What happens? Do you get d for hours and hours, as with Golytely? Or does it all come out at once? Will I be on the toilet long enough to justify taking a few rolls of super soft tp to hospital with me?

Does it hurt? They did try to give me a fleet enema once and it hurt like billy-o, so they had to stop and give me Golytely instead. Needless to say, I'm a bit nervous about this one, even if the doc is sure it will be easier to cope with this time.

The things we Crohnies put up with...

eyes

Ivy tongue
Posted 3/17/2008 10:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hate the things, but at least they don't have the same effect as the prep stuff (for me anyway). I have administered them to myself which I prefer over the nurse. I just lay on the bathroom floor, right next to the toilet, squeeze in as much as I can tolerate and wait as long as I possibly can. It generates a "typical" bowel movement (as if us Crohnies have a "typical" bm!). The effects are not long-lasting. They typically have the patient repeat the process using a second enema.

For me they are very, very uncomfortable. Not sure I'd say painful, but hurts, yes. With all those ulcers and inflammation in the rectal region (for me), it's no wonder it's so bad.

Good luck!
Posted 3/17/2008 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
Ivy, personally I find the Fleets better than Golytely. Less fluid and even though you will be attached to the tiolet for a while, It didn't give me painful cramps like Golytely. Whomever named that stuff Golytely should be forced to drink 64 ounces of it and see how 'lightly' he 'goes.'
Posted 3/17/2008 10:55 PM (GMT 0)
sr says it'll generate one typical bm, and Mellie says I'll be attached to the toilet for a while.

Are the effects different for everyone?

Thanks for replying,

I.
Posted 3/17/2008 11:33 PM (GMT 0)
Yuck, I hate Fleet enemas. I would rather drink two gallons of GoLytely. The Fleet enemas cause me severe burning when they come out, but I am the only person I know that this happens to. Maybe I'm allergic? Anyway, good luck with the tests!
Posted 3/17/2008 11:44 PM (GMT 0)
Fleet enemas are horrible for me, it's as though I just cannot hold them in long enough, I usually get 2 bottles because of this...you're suppose to hold them for a few minutes and for me it barely feels like a few seconds...although having the perianal crohns skin tags might have something to do with the troubles I have with them, they especially hurt because of those tags too.

Good luck, they're usually the only prep needed when getting a sigmoidoscopy done.

:)
Posted 3/17/2008 11:50 PM (GMT 0)
pb, what happens for you when they come out again? D for hours, or one big bm?

I.
Posted 3/17/2008 11:57 PM (GMT 0)
I tried a Fleet enema recently before abcess surgery and couldn't use it. I had it in OK but when I squeezed the bottle, the liquid came out of my fistula which exits in the perinium. It burned!! Don't use it if you have a perirectal fistula. Sorry to be so gross...
Posted 3/18/2008 12:00 AM (GMT 0)
Oh dear. This doesn't sound promising at all. The reason they had to stop it last time was because of the burning - it was so bad I was screaming with it, and I'm really not a wussy person (at least, I don't think so).

:-(

Ivy.
Posted 3/18/2008 12:01 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Ivy,

Well if you have C you will be lucky if you have any luck.  There is exactly 133 ml in a Fleets enema which is saline solution.  How do I know?  I use them whenever my IBS is bad.  Somestimes I have to use up to 3 to get any real relief.

I guess from what I have read here  it depends on each person.  I have never found them to be worse than Golytely.  You don't have to drink them......lol.

Good luck sweetie.

Kitt

Posted 3/18/2008 12:03 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah, and not having to drink it is a HUGE plus.

I suppose what must be done must be done... or at least tried....

Thanks, Kitt.

I.
Posted 3/18/2008 1:42 AM (GMT 0)
It could be a mixture of both D and solid, the fleet likely loosens it up but it just depends on what your regular stools are like...even without using a fleet enema I've had times where at the same time I've had D with solids comming out, I refer to it as a rock slide.

:)
Posted 3/18/2008 4:49 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, pb. And is it over quickly, or is it a stay-up-all-night-on-the-toilet-and-feel-completely-drained-afterwards type of drug?

I.
Posted 3/18/2008 4:58 AM (GMT 0)
No, it's quick it only reaches so far...hold it as long as you can though.

Good luck and don't stress too much over it.

:)
Posted 3/18/2008 5:01 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks pb, and thanks everyone. That's really helpful.

Ivy, not too stressed :-)
Posted 3/18/2008 4:09 PM (GMT 0)
Ivy - The very first flex sig that I had they did the enema in the office immediately before the procedure. I am guessing that means they didn't expect me to stay on the toilet for hours after. But, I am sure it's all individual. I have so much rectal involvement, tags, the fistula... I can't hold them even a minute now. That's why I lay near the toilet. I hope you do alright! At least it's over quickly!
Posted 3/18/2008 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
Put a bunch of lube on the tip to make insertion easier. Lie on your side as you gently squeeze the bottle to make it flow into you, stopping occasionally to allow the water to percolate upwards into the sigmoid colon. Once you have it all in, remain on your side or even lift your legs and prop a pillow under you to elevate your lower bowel to allow it to flow upward. Once you feel a strong need to go, do so and expect a couple of expulsions, but nothing like the oral preps. Then you should be done -- probably 20 minutes tops.

Posted 3/18/2008 10:02 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, folks. That's really helpful.

I.
Posted 3/19/2008 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
thanks for asking this Ivy... I was going to start a post asking the same thing but found yours :)
Posted 3/16/2012 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
The Fleet is only the last resort to use BUT no horror stories as just r e l a x and it's a snap. Remember the mimeral oil fleet if you are really impacted as the the oil softens the stool. I agree that you must go easy but it may require more than one dose.
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