Embarrassing... Enema Questions

Ok. So I've never tried a enema up until this year. These past couple of months to be exact. My first 2 were the fleet saline kind. They went horrible. My first nothing came out except the enema and then the next day I had cramping and emergency toilet run. I tried it again about a month or so later and I just couldn't hold it in and had severe cramping. So I googled about enemas and read they can be harsh and that they should be warm. I also read that water enemas with a bag are better. So I got me a bag. I tried it yesterday, it took about 20 minutes fighting to get it in. It's a big bag. I think it may have emptied too fast because after I found the right position the bag got small fast and I think the water cooled too because I could feel it a few times. Well anyway shortly after I went to the toilet and just water came out and about 5-10 more minutes I finally had BM. But I was severely bloated and 2 hours later I got a bad headache. Today I've been down again. I was really bloated and felt full. Then I got hit with a severe headache. It went away then came back. I went to sleep for a couple of hours and woke up cold. No fever it was a little lower than normal. Now I feel like I'm gonna get another one.

Did I do something wrong with the enema? Is it normal to react to one like that?

Bakomom, you do have to be somewhat careful with enemas. Too much water can over-hydrate you and saline can dehydrate you; either of these can lead to disruptions in your body's chemical balance. That said, they can safely be used as long as reasonable care is taken. I found this set of directions for tap water enemas that are quite good:

http://www.wikihow.com/Give-an-Enema

Hope this will help you.

 

You do need to be very careful with enemas. One little bottle can really deplete your body of nutrients. I've always noticed that if I eat very well and hydrate fully the day before doing one, I handle it better. If I am dehyrated I can get a massive headache, shakes, chills and generally just do not feel well at all.

Someone pointed out to me on another forum you can buy electroylte powder to add to your water. I went up to my local health food store and they sold these in small packs, $.59 each, for one 4 - 6 ounce glass of water. Flavored, you could try and find these to add to your water right now. The packet I took recommends 2 per day per adult. Also, I noticed in the baby section at the grocery next to Pedialyte bottles, they sell Pediatlyte powder for the same reason - to add to juice or water for children who had been recently sick with D. That's in a sense what you're trying to do here, you've been "sick" (even if induced) and you now need to drink a lot of water but also restore your electrolytes.

I hope you feel better.

If senna works for you, then this is ~your~ medication. We're all different inside and I find it's best to pay close attention to what your body is trying to tell you. I tried generic Colace with senna and it made me feel worse, I had so much gut rumbling and heaving/rolling. Turns out it was the senna that was irritating my colon but see here, in your case, it works wonderful for you. So I suggest you keep extra hand, you never want to run out of it. I was going to suggest brand named Colace since I find it mild but now that you've mentioned senna helps, I believe Peri-Colace has senna in it. If you're ever trying new meds, you could consider Peri-Colace.

So sorry this enema messed you up. I had one last 12 hours, I was in bad shape! Not enough to go to the ER but I was very shaky, clammy, had dry heaves, chills, aches and repeated bm's which were watery at the end. The last thing you want at a time like this is a tall glass of water but that is what I did need, I needed to replace lost fluids ASAP. Nausea was preventing that. And all because I decided to do a mini clean out for a vacation. How foolish of me! My hands actually tingled and partially went numb for a bit, scared me.

Hang in there, hopefully tomorrow you'll be feeling better.

You may notice narrowed stool because the walls of your colon could be irritated and slightly swollen. Obviously your colon did not like what you did to it and it's trying to correct itself right now. If I were you, I would make sure I consumed 2 quarts of water per day (I recently bought a Rubbermaid 1 qt size pitcher, I fill it with ice and cold water and try to empty it between 2 and 3 times per day). If you have that pitcher of water filled and a cup you're drinking from that day right next to it, it's so easy to refill your glass, just do it and stand right there while you're downing the water. For me, that's the only way, I don't enjoy sipping from water all day long, I need to force myself to do this. Next, make sure you have very healthy meals today and the next several days, whatever seems to agree with you, but I'd suggest hot oatmeal and banana for breakfast, salad and fresh fruit, half a sandwich for lunch and broiled fish/chicken, steamed vegetables for dinner. You need to be kind to your body to get thru this. Now if what I suggested gives you nausea, try dry toast, chicken noodle soup, saltines, etc.

In other words, I wouldn't eat candy, cookies, junk food, chips, spicy foods right now.

But the good news is you are having stool output so I do think you're on the path to feeling better. I imagine by Wednesday you will be.

The only reason I tried to do an enema for a traveling trip was so I could be cleaned out and not having my family stop at rest stops every hour or two. I did feel okay for the trip (because I've learned if I do an enema, I need to do one 48 hours before I want to feel 100%).

*edit* I forgot to add, there are no embarrassing questions on this forum! So never feel hesitant to ask them.

Post Edited (Marsky) : 8/6/2013 7:16:31 AM (GMT-6)