Home Enema, anyone done this?

Lucca

Sorry but no you don’t need to be driven to the hospital unless you have chosen sedation which in my view is completely unnecessary for a flexible sigmoidoscopy

I've had two flexible sigmoidoscopies. One was virtually painless the other was very painful - to the extent I was offered sedation. And I am quite good at not complaining about discomfort or pain.

One size does not fit all.

Back in the 1980's when I had Ulcerative Colitus, I had to give myself a steroid enema two or three times a day for several weeks. I used to do this by putting a large towel on my bed and lying there to carry this out, Had to hold it in for as long as possible,( which, at that time was never more than a few minutes). Although I was also on steroid tablets, the idea was to get steroids right onto the ulcers. I got quite good at doing this with little problems.

In the long run, still ended up having it sorted out by complete removal and a permanent ilieostomy.

If it's a small Dulcolax type enema it comes in a tiny wee tube with a nozzle at on end, so it's quite easy.

No. Especially not 37 days! He had to have an empty bowel and a full bladder each time. Not easy.

Thanks, That is clearer. Whichever way it is administered, it isn't exactly fun!

Sorry yes it was a liquid into the 'back door'.

Most enemas are liquid which is squeezed into the "back door", while there are also liquids that are taken by mouth. If it was administered by the back door, but wasn't liquid, it must have been a solid pessary, then?

I don’t have a sigmoid colon anymore.

My husband had to do a home enema every day for 37 days when he was undergoing radiotherapy for prostate cancer. It wasn't a liquid. He had to erm 'insert' it. I've just asked him. He said it wasn't easy or pleasant but he had to do it. He said just be near the toilet.

It is a liquid AND an enema!!

I was unable to do the home enema and cancelled my appointment for sigmoidoscopy. I told the hospital and they did it for me.
It seems that some hospitals use the liquid and some traditional enemas.
I had the liquid pre surgery. The problem with the liquid is that it took several hours to work so I ended being up half the night and got little sleep with having to get up at 6am to get to the hospital.

I had a home enema before a flexi sig. To me, it was nothing like the enema I was given when I had my children, I didn’t think it had worked properly as I didn’t feel it made me dash to the loo!

They told me how lovely and clear my bowel was, however, so it obviously had worked.

It wouldn’t worry me at all if I had to do it (the enema) again.

To be induced for a home birth in the sixties, I was to get an OBE - caster oil in the evening, then a hot bath and enema in the morning. However, the caster oil (mixed with orange juice but still revolting to drink) was working so well (!!!) that the enema was omitted.

I had visions of my home births in 1966 and 1968. I was shocked when the midwife announced she was going to shave me and give me an enema which involved her pumping liquid in to my rear end, very undignified but not the worst thing in the world.

It's a 'drink' to clear you out so stay near a loo. then not eat for hours and drink just water.

I had this prior to a sigmoidoscopy.... No problems with it and none detected either thankfully

I have to say I was so impressed pressed with the kind attitude of all the staff.

We even shared a joke or two which is kind of an odd thing to do with a camera up your nether regions….

We had home enemas here for my OH - they were not a problem and very simple to use. I am sure you will be fine.

The lady from the hospital rang me back. Taking Moviprep is not an option, so I have elected to do the enema at home. Luca, thanks for your words of comfort. I have taken Moviprep twice before and agree, it’s vile.

Sorry but no you don’t need to be driven to the hospital unless you have chosen sedation which in my view is completely unnecessary for a flexible sigmoidoscopy

VANECAM

Not sure why you would want to do it at the hospital.

It’s a drink - but not just any old drink - this is powerful stuff.

All I would say is that you know when it’s working - and it works pretty dam quick. But just when you think it’s all over, you have to go again! Several visits to the loo are required until all that you are passing is liquid.

No pain involved at all.

You will need to have somebody drive you to and from the hospital.

Or this procedure it is not just a drink ! It is a drink and then an enema,

Not sure why you would want to do it at the hospital.

It’s a drink - but not just any old drink - this is powerful stuff.

All I would say is that you know when it’s working - and it works pretty dam quick. But just when you think it’s all over, you have to go again! Several visits to the loo are required until all that you are passing is liquid.

No pain involved at all.

You will need to have somebody drive you to and from the hospital.

One local hospital sent me a home enema which proved not to have worked (!) very well and the examination did not proceed further. They offered to do it for me but by that time I'd had enough and went home. Another local hospital sent the 'drink' alternative which did work and the examination went forward under sedation. I know which I would choose if given the choice.

Oh and given the choice I would pick the enema rather than moviprep which is vile.

I had a colonoscopy with moviprep (?). But also then had a sigmoidoscopy and that was a home enema. No problem at all to be honest either with that or with the sigmoidoscopy.

Just a word of caution if they let you have Moviprep - stay VERY close to your loo! It’s incredibly effective stuff! ??