Posted 8/6/2018 1:00 PM (GMT 0)
I'd try not to worry too much, you'll do fine. I've been using the enemas since 2011 and here's what I have found:
1) I first sit on the toilet. I raise my bum up about 6-inches above of the seat with my feet still on floor, which is just enough room to reach my arm under and administer the enema. If any drips happen, they go right into the toilet. I then walk over to bed, and lay down on my left side for 20-or-so minutes. I'll read a book, watch tv, or play on my phone. I'll fall asleep in that orientation.
It's not necessary to lay down immediately after administering the enema, you can wait a few minutes (walk around, brush your teeth, etc.). You get the best absorption of the liquid and best distribution of the medication when you lay down on your left side (otherwise it just pools in the rectum).
2) Nothing is going to drip out when you walk. I find drops fall on the floor while squeezing the air out, and when talking the used enema bottle and putting it into the trashcan. I squeeze my bottle over the sink to get the air out, I put a cap back on it, rinse the bottle off, and then bring it to the toilet with me. I move the trashcan close to the toilet. I grab a little bit of toilet paper prior to administering, and keep it in my hand. I administer the enema, wrap it in tp and throw it in the trash, wipe my bottom, and wash my hands. I then walk to bed and lay on my left side.
You do not need pads or diapers.
The primary pro of using enemas in the bathroom is in regard to urgency of the fluid immediately coming up after administering (and having a sink and trash nearby). The primary pros of administering in bed is you can lay down in comfort.
Regardless of whether you administer in the bathroom or in bed, lay an old towel down is good practice.
If you're really worried about drips in the bathroom, then administer in the shower, and then you can turn the shower on after you're out, to wash any drips away.
3) Lay an old towel down underneath you in bed, that catches any drips. You can squeeze the air out where ever it makes the most sense. I prefer over the sink, cap it, rinse bottle, and then bring the bottle where needed.
4) If the enema is well absorbed (by laying on your left side long enough) then there's nothing that will leak out at night. It never absorbs 100% by design. So there's going to be some white/tan liquid you pass on occasion in the morning with your 1st poop. I've gotten the occasional enema stain on my sheets and mattress protector over the years. I think it is unabsorbed liquid and a wet fart while sleeping (lol sorry if TMI). I wash the sheets in the laundry. Mattress is fine, sheets and mattress protector have stains though. I'd recommend darker colored, patterned sheets to make it less noticeable. Not an every week thing, happens randomly to me every number of months. Enough to raise the ire of my dear wife, and wash the sheets earlier than our norm. Washing doesn't remove the stain fully, reduces it some though.
5) Enema can cause urgency in some, especially when there is a lot of inflammation. If the liquid isn't well absorbed then it can slosh and cause discomfort for those who toss and turn a lot in their sleep and/or sleep lightly. A healthy colon is very good at absorbing liquid, a badly inflamed colon a lot less so. Added emphasis on laying on your left side long enough, or longer. Fall asleep on your left side. If you flop around like a fish out of water all night long (like me) then prop yourself up against a body pillow, or several pillows to limit your flopping around while sleeping.
Wearing old underwear and sleeping clothes is a good idea. I've ruined some pjs and boxers over the many months and years, due to it. I have less trouble with sheet staining when I am wearing heavier sleep jammies, like in the winter, rather then the lighter sleepwear for summer. There's a reason I never sleep naked, always have at least boxers and a pair of shorts over them for protection! I think a pad or diaper is a bit overkill, and a lot to wear nightly for a problem that might only happen a couple times a year.
And yes, despite best precautions, I have gotten drips on the floor and walls in the bathroom before. Not daily drips, but with randomness over many months, over the years. The drips turn jet-black when hit with bleach spray and become a lot more noticeable. Had to scrape down the drywall 1/16 of an inch, skim coat with drywall putty, and repaint (as going over it with multiple layers of stain-blocking paint is no match) due to some drop stains on the wall. Moved since, and now our house has tile floors, and those drops are hard to get out of the grout between the tiles. I mentioned the sleepwear, sheets and mattress protector above.