Enema experts

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Rebequita
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri Jul 10, 2015 6:54 pm

Enema experts

Postby Rebequita » Wed Oct 26, 2016 3:14 pm

Hi there,
I'm wondering if there are any daily enema experts out there who would be willing to suggest what supplies I should purchase and any tips as I get started. This is all new to me and I'm not sure what to buy.

I'm so grateful to be done with tx and NED, but I'm struggling with LARS and am hoping this will improve my quality of life. Things have been rough lately but reading how daily enemas have worked so well for so many gives me hope.

Thanks in advance.
6/15 Diagnosed RC Stage IIIb at age 38
7/15 Neoadjuvant Radiation and Xeloda
10/15 Lower Anterior Resection and temporary ileostomy; tumor shrunk to "in situ" and removed with clean margins; 0/19 nodes positive for cancer
11/15 Began 6 rounds of Oxaliplatin infusion/oral Xeloda
12/15 Negative for Lynch
3/16 NED
4/16 Ileostomy reversal
8/16 NED

User avatar
H is for Hawk
Posts: 103
Joined: Wed May 20, 2015 4:51 pm
Location: eastern Pennsylvania

Re: Enema experts

Postby H is for Hawk » Wed Oct 26, 2016 4:14 pm

The big red bag that can be purchased at most pharmacies works for most people. The non-chain family-run pharmacies that specialize in home care equipment like walkers have the best selection in this area. I have had chronic constipation due to opiate pain medication usage, so I have been using this method for a few months. The only other method that helped was drinking prescription lactulose, a sugar like liquid, 30 ml three times a day, but I didn't want to do this month after month. Our resident expert here at Colontalk for this subject matter is tammylayne. I spread newspapers on the bathroom floor to collect any accidental leakages. During the procedure, if you can, kneel on the knees and keep you head lower than your buttocks, this will allow the water to flow into the upper colon. Search "daily enema" in the search box for more information.
Last edited by H is for Hawk on Wed Oct 26, 2016 6:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
H is for Hawk (57)
10/14 L. hemi-colectomy 3 x 4 x 1 cm tumor, 13/14 lymph nodes pos. pT4a N2B M0 stage 3 MSS
11/14 - 4/15 12x FOLFOX
5/15 PET scan: 2.5 x 1.5 cm l. colon lesion, peri surface lesion SUV 2.4, adenocar., KRAS wd, BRAF V600E mut
6/15 HIPEC
9/15 Pleural lining & liver mets, CA 19-9: 6000
10/15 Vectibix Tafinlar Mekinist
11/15 1500
1/16 200
2/16 100, add Lentinan
3/16 122
6/16 4500
7/16 20,000, CT scan - three new liver mets
8/16 6700, FOLFIRI
9/16 4900, CT scan - two new liver mets
10/16 2255 vinorelbine

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CRguy
Posts: 10473
Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:00 pm

Re: Enema experts

Postby CRguy » Wed Oct 26, 2016 4:27 pm

H is for Hawk wrote: Our resident expert here at Colontalk for this subject matter is tammylayne.
..... Search "daily enema" in the search box for more information.

You will get excellent advice from both Hawk and tammylayne !
Best wishes
CRguy
Caregiver x 4
Stage IV A rectal cancer/lung met
17 Year survivor
my life is an ongoing totally randomized UNcontrolled experiment with N=1 !
Review of my Journey so far

tammylayne
Posts: 2177
Joined: Fri Jul 16, 2010 9:24 am

Re: Enema experts

Postby tammylayne » Thu Oct 27, 2016 7:57 pm

PM'd you all the glamorous details... :shock:
51 F
'06 Stage 1 CC,
'10 Stage 3 Rectal

"You never know how strong you are until you have to become your own hero."

Rebequita
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri Jul 10, 2015 6:54 pm

Re: Enema experts

Postby Rebequita » Mon Oct 31, 2016 4:10 am

I just want to say thanks. I'm going on Day 4 of this new routine, and I feel like I have my life back. Total game changer. I can't thank you enough.
6/15 Diagnosed RC Stage IIIb at age 38
7/15 Neoadjuvant Radiation and Xeloda
10/15 Lower Anterior Resection and temporary ileostomy; tumor shrunk to "in situ" and removed with clean margins; 0/19 nodes positive for cancer
11/15 Began 6 rounds of Oxaliplatin infusion/oral Xeloda
12/15 Negative for Lynch
3/16 NED
4/16 Ileostomy reversal
8/16 NED

Badass
Posts: 1171
Joined: Sun Jan 15, 2012 11:42 am

Re: Enema experts

Postby Badass » Tue Nov 08, 2016 7:36 am

That is wonderful that you are a convert-- changed my life (thanks, Tammylane!) and I wish I had started sooner. One recommendation I have is to get a transparent silicon bag (available on Amazon) as you can easily see if the bag is clean and whether there is any mold developing. They cost more than the rubber red bags but I like the security of knowing the bag is clean. You can also boil them if you want to sanitize, although I've been doing fine with a hot water rinse after each use and hanging it upside down to dry.
R.C. 12/23/11 at age 52 T3N0M0
3/1/12 completed Xeloda and radiation
5/4/12 LAR & Ileostomy
6/7/12-10/4/12 6 rounds Xelox
11/27/12 Reversal
7/13/13 1 liver met
8/13 Met resection /hai pump
4/14 Chemo completed (Irinotecan/5fu/fudr in pump)

sam i am
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Sep 05, 2016 2:12 pm

Re: Enema experts

Postby sam i am » Mon Feb 06, 2017 2:08 pm

Hi. I have tried doing some enemas, but am having difficulties. Although I don't need the bathroom afterward, I still feel gassy. Any solutions for this. I am unable to PM so if one of the resident experts can PM me it would be greatly appreciated.

Badass
Posts: 1171
Joined: Sun Jan 15, 2012 11:42 am

Re: Enema experts

Postby Badass » Thu Apr 06, 2017 8:32 pm

Hi Sam I Am-- Sorry, I just saw your question. Are you still having gas issues with the enema? I would be happy to help if I can.

Jane
R.C. 12/23/11 at age 52 T3N0M0
3/1/12 completed Xeloda and radiation
5/4/12 LAR & Ileostomy
6/7/12-10/4/12 6 rounds Xelox
11/27/12 Reversal
7/13/13 1 liver met
8/13 Met resection /hai pump
4/14 Chemo completed (Irinotecan/5fu/fudr in pump)

ams5796
Posts: 2298
Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2009 10:07 am

Re: Enema experts

Postby ams5796 » Thu Apr 06, 2017 10:13 pm

I also have gas issues from the enema. Do you have any hints or tips?

Thanks
Ann
Stage 3C (or 4?) Rectal Cancer 01/07
2/10 lung mets
3/11 VATS
6/11 VATS
7/13 lung met
2/14 SBRT
NED 8/14
5/17 scan and MRI found treated spine met

Badass
Posts: 1171
Joined: Sun Jan 15, 2012 11:42 am

Re: Enema experts

Postby Badass » Fri Apr 07, 2017 1:17 pm

For reducing/ eliminating gas, my suggestions are:
1. Once you have filled up the bag with water, open the valve and let the water run a bit. Usually there is a hiccup or two before it runs smoothly because you are releasing some air from the tube which would otherwise go into your colon.
2. Let the water flow slowly into you.
3. I have noticed that I have more gas recently that coincided with "doing my thing" in a different bathroom where the bag is much farther away from me. I have no idea if this is just a coincidence or cause and effect.
Jane
R.C. 12/23/11 at age 52 T3N0M0
3/1/12 completed Xeloda and radiation
5/4/12 LAR & Ileostomy
6/7/12-10/4/12 6 rounds Xelox
11/27/12 Reversal
7/13/13 1 liver met
8/13 Met resection /hai pump
4/14 Chemo completed (Irinotecan/5fu/fudr in pump)

ams5796
Posts: 2298
Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2009 10:07 am

Re: Enema experts

Postby ams5796 » Fri Apr 07, 2017 4:56 pm

Thank you, Jane. Those are all helpful tips. Number 3 has me particularly interested. I'll have to try some different locations and see if it changes things. I'm so happy for you that you're having such great results.


Ann
Stage 3C (or 4?) Rectal Cancer 01/07
2/10 lung mets
3/11 VATS
6/11 VATS
7/13 lung met
2/14 SBRT
NED 8/14
5/17 scan and MRI found treated spine met


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