Question about enema... - Bowel Disorders Message Board

RunnL8 · 01-19-2003, 02:05 PM

I have severe constipation with bouts of spastic diarrhea. In the past I used to do a little bit of a warm water enema. It usually helped, but I'd cramp pretty badly. The last one I did, I cramped very bad and figured I'd never do it again. But here I am, desperate again. Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated. I can't stand the cramps, but this constipation is driving me insane! Thanks...

Autumn Angel · 01-19-2003, 03:20 PM

Ever tried a gentle laxitive with no stimulants in it? Its those that give you the cramps Correctol is good with a stool softener. Or increase your fluid and fiber intake I wouldnt mess with enemas without a docs supervision they can damage you internally. There are suppository laxitives too.

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Cheers...Autumn
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Sarah68 · 01-19-2003, 03:32 PM

You need to increase your fiber intake and I would suggest that you start taking Metamucil twice daily. You also need to increase your water intake, but don't take laxatives, in the end they can produce more problems than they solve.

Rather than using hot water, than can cause cramps, you need to use luke warm water or slightly cold water. Try this and it should cut out the cramps.

Autumn Angel - If you read the post properly you would see that he is not using enemas at all. What he is doing is washing his rectum out with warm water. Warm water is not an enema, but a mini colonic irrigation that just cleans the rectum rather than the whole colon. If you know what you are doing, it is perfectly possible to give yourself an enema of this nature without any harm.

RunnL8 · 01-19-2003, 05:02 PM

Hi and thanks to both of you for offering advice

Oh and let me say that I'm a woman, not a fella

I should have made that clear, sorry...

About fiber...I have a number of physical problems, food and medicine sensitivities being 2 of them. I cannot increase my fiber via most foods due to the fact that I'm extremely sensitive to most every food you can think of, especially vegetables or fruits. I can eat nothing with oat flour. I can eat no oatmeal, no cold cereals made with bran neither. I mean as far as fiber goes, it's not looking so good for me. I've tried Citrucel, more than once, and it only makes the constipation worse, don't ask me why. And it's not due to a lack of water, I drink tons of water, and in fact water is all I drink. My diet is basically white rice for breakfast and then baked chicken with baked potatoes later. I do eat steak, from time to time. I do eat white bread too. I have low blood sugar, so I do eat cheese from time to time and I know that's not good.

My system is beyond delicate. I drank or should I say tasted some Aloe Vera Juice yesterday and it made me nauseated and I got very gassy. I won't touch it again.

And too, I do use the warm water as an enema. I have an enema bag and will put just a tiny bit of warm water in the bag. I use to do this from time to time but the last time it made me cramp up badly. I feel desperate, but everything fails for me. Maybe I'll soon stumble upon something that will work. Thanks for both of your help

Megan

Sarah68 · 01-20-2003, 01:56 AM

Try using a cold water wash out instead, or let it cool to very luke warm rather than warm or hot. This may cut out the cramps that you are having from it.

Have you tried drinking Chamomile or Peppermint tea? Chamomile is an antiinflammatory and is very good for helping stomach cramps and settling an upset stomach. Peppermint is a good antispasmodic and can help cramps.

Also, the herb slippery elm is good for stopping diarrhea when you get it. Put a tablespoonful into a cup of Chamomile tea and this should help stop diarrhea and stomach pains too.

Have you tried Calcium supplements for your diarrhea or a mixture of Calcium and Magnesium to help with constipation too? This is worth a shot.

How about Acidophilus for the gas?