Enemas - HELP

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scohow66
Posts: 33
Joined: Fri Apr 07, 2017 9:54 am

Enemas - HELP

Postby scohow66 » Tue Aug 07, 2018 11:54 am

Hi - I have been doing for about 3 weeks or so and have mixed results. i use a clear silicone bag with about 2 qts warm water. I do it while on a mat/towel on bathroom floor and most times the fluid goes in fairly quickly and then comes out the same way...overall about 45 mins or so for the full process. However, I am still having days where my system kicks into gear early afternoon and have had some rough days/nights as a result. I have added in another enema early evening on a few occasions so that I can try to sleep and not be subject to clustering. I am looking for predictability and consistency and was hoping this would provide that. I do get good days where I can go the full 24 hours without going, but its not reliable. I do the same process each day and have not varied my diet, etc. Just looking for any advice folks may have or if this is normal? Dr. suggested enema as well.

Appreciate any insights!

Scott
52 Year old male
Dx with RC 10/2016 (T2N0M0)
Port implanted 11/2016
Rad with 5FU December 2016-January 2016
LAR robotic with temp loop ileo 4/2016
ypT0N0M0 - cPR to chemo/rad
Ileostomy reversal 10/2017
LARS

Lee
Posts: 6207
Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2006 4:09 pm

Re: Enemas - HELP

Postby Lee » Wed Aug 08, 2018 1:47 pm

Hi Scott,

Sorry no one has responded to you yet, I hope by bumping this back to the top, someone with experience with enemas can answer you directly. I don't have any experience with enemas, as I have a permanent colostomy.

Have you checked the search button? Top left side "Search this Forum" Input daily enemas. There are a few knowledgeable people on this forum who have found great success with daily enemas.

Good luck,

Lee
rectal cancer - April 2004
46 yrs old at diagnoses
stage III C - 6/13 lymph positive
radiation - 6 weeks
surgery - August 2004/hernia repair 2014
permanent colostomy
chemo - FOLFOX
NED - 16 years and counting!

scohow66
Posts: 33
Joined: Fri Apr 07, 2017 9:54 am

Re: Enemas - HELP

Postby scohow66 » Wed Aug 08, 2018 2:37 pm

thanks! Yes, I have researched this extensively, but now that I am doing it just looking for some input as I find results are not consistent and still have some challenges as a result.

Tx
52 Year old male
Dx with RC 10/2016 (T2N0M0)
Port implanted 11/2016
Rad with 5FU December 2016-January 2016
LAR robotic with temp loop ileo 4/2016
ypT0N0M0 - cPR to chemo/rad
Ileostomy reversal 10/2017
LARS

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susie0915
Posts: 945
Joined: Wed Aug 02, 2017 8:17 am
Facebook Username: Susan DeGrazia Hostetter
Location: Michigan

Re: Enemas - HELP

Postby susie0915 » Wed Aug 08, 2018 3:18 pm

I am not really sure why you are having break through bowel movements during the day. I have been doing enemas for about a year and a half and probably have only had a bowel movement later in the day or night 3-4 times. There are days where I may not feel like I am totally cleaned out, but generally do better until the next day. I use about 6 cups of water. I was using 8 cups but found 6 cups worked just as well most of the time. I do in the morning and have been toying with switching to the night time, but not sure if I will. I don't work so it really is not that inconvenient for me. Do you feel like alot of stool is coming out during your enema? I do take a couple lomotil everyday for peace of mind. I am not sure if this would help you. I don't think I need it but it is a psychological thing. I hope someone here can help. I have said, even my bad enema days are better than going to the bathroom 20x a day.
58 yrs old Dx @ 55
5/15 DX T3N0MO
6/15 5 wks chemo/rad
7/15 sigmoidoscopy/only scar tissue left
8/15 PET scan NED
9/15 LAR
0/24 nodes
10/15 blockage. surgery,early ileo rev, c-diff inf :(
12/15 6 rds of xelox
5/16 CT lung scarring/inflammation
9/16 clear colonoscopy
4/17 C 4mm lung nod
10/17 pel/abd CT NED
11/17 CEA<.5
1/18 CT/Lung no change in 4mm nodule
5/18 CEA<.5, CT pel/abd/lung NED
11/18 CEA .6
5/19 CT NED, CEA <.5
10/19 Clear colonscopy
11/19 CEA <.5

MaryannW
Posts: 76
Joined: Thu Jun 04, 2015 7:32 am

Re: Enemas - HELP

Postby MaryannW » Tue Aug 21, 2018 4:17 am

Not sure why his is happening. How much water do you use? Sometimes I get a breakthrough in less than 24 hours but this is because of diet variation. How far out from reversal are you?
Dx Feb 2015 RC Stage 2a
5.5 weeks Xelolda + Radiation
ULAR 25.6.2015
6 Rounds mop up Xeloda
Reversal 7 April 2016
NED & living with LARS

NHMike
Posts: 2555
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2017 3:43 am

Re: Enemas - HELP

Postby NHMike » Tue Aug 21, 2018 6:26 am

I'm in 20 times a day mode right now and it's brutal but it's early days.

I do have an enema bulb that I've used in the past. I think that it holds about 14 ounces. Anyone use these for daily enemas?
6/17: ER rectal bleeding; Colonoscopy
7/17: 3B rectal. T3N1bM0. 5.2 4.5 4.3 cm. Lymphs: 6 x 4 mm, 8 x 6, 5 x 5
7/17-9/17: Xeloda radiation
7/5: CEA 2.7; 8/16: 1.9; 11/30: 0.6; 12/20 1.4; 1/10 1.8; 1/31 2.2; 2/28 2.6; 4/10 2.8; 5/1 2.8; 5/29 3.2; 7/13 4.5; 8/9 2.8, 2/12 1.2
MSS, KRAS G12D
10/17: 2.7 2.2 1.6 cm (-90%). Lymphs: 3 x 3 mm (-62.5%), 4 x 3 (-75%), 5 x 3 (-40%). 5.1 CM from AV
10/17: LAR, Temp Ileostomy, Path Complete Response
CapeOx (8) 12/17-6/18
7/18: Reversal, Port Removal
2/19: Clean CT

User avatar
susie0915
Posts: 945
Joined: Wed Aug 02, 2017 8:17 am
Facebook Username: Susan DeGrazia Hostetter
Location: Michigan

Re: Enemas - HELP

Postby susie0915 » Tue Aug 21, 2018 8:25 am

NHMike wrote:I'm in 20 times a day mode right now and it's brutal but it's early days.

I do have an enema bulb that I've used in the past. I think that it holds about 14 ounces. Anyone use these for daily enemas?

I know there are some that use an enema bulb. I use about 6 cups of water to get a good clean out of the lower bowel. I do every morning. I haven't tested to see how long I could go, I know there are some that will get anywhere for 1-3 days after each enema. I do everyday as it makes it easier to administer as stool doesn't build up. The enema bulb probably works like the fleet bottle where it cleans out what is closer to the rectum. It may not last as long, but maybe since you have one when the time comes you can test it and see. Everyone seems to use different amounts of water. I used to do 2 qts but found 6 cups works just as well. I may even try reducing more to see what happens. Many only use 3-4 cups of water.
58 yrs old Dx @ 55
5/15 DX T3N0MO
6/15 5 wks chemo/rad
7/15 sigmoidoscopy/only scar tissue left
8/15 PET scan NED
9/15 LAR
0/24 nodes
10/15 blockage. surgery,early ileo rev, c-diff inf :(
12/15 6 rds of xelox
5/16 CT lung scarring/inflammation
9/16 clear colonoscopy
4/17 C 4mm lung nod
10/17 pel/abd CT NED
11/17 CEA<.5
1/18 CT/Lung no change in 4mm nodule
5/18 CEA<.5, CT pel/abd/lung NED
11/18 CEA .6
5/19 CT NED, CEA <.5
10/19 Clear colonscopy
11/19 CEA <.5

NHMike
Posts: 2555
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2017 3:43 am

Re: Enemas - HELP

Postby NHMike » Tue Aug 21, 2018 9:00 pm

susie0915 wrote:
NHMike wrote:I'm in 20 times a day mode right now and it's brutal but it's early days.

I do have an enema bulb that I've used in the past. I think that it holds about 14 ounces. Anyone use these for daily enemas?

I know there are some that use an enema bulb. I use about 6 cups of water to get a good clean out of the lower bowel. I do every morning. I haven't tested to see how long I could go, I know there are some that will get anywhere for 1-3 days after each enema. I do everyday as it makes it easier to administer as stool doesn't build up. The enema bulb probably works like the fleet bottle where it cleans out what is closer to the rectum. It may not last as long, but maybe since you have one when the time comes you can test it and see. Everyone seems to use different amounts of water. I used to do 2 qts but found 6 cups works just as well. I may even try reducing more to see what happens. Many only use 3-4 cups of water.


Thanks for your comments. I could do two bulbs (holding one in) but I'd just like to see what happens with it.
6/17: ER rectal bleeding; Colonoscopy
7/17: 3B rectal. T3N1bM0. 5.2 4.5 4.3 cm. Lymphs: 6 x 4 mm, 8 x 6, 5 x 5
7/17-9/17: Xeloda radiation
7/5: CEA 2.7; 8/16: 1.9; 11/30: 0.6; 12/20 1.4; 1/10 1.8; 1/31 2.2; 2/28 2.6; 4/10 2.8; 5/1 2.8; 5/29 3.2; 7/13 4.5; 8/9 2.8, 2/12 1.2
MSS, KRAS G12D
10/17: 2.7 2.2 1.6 cm (-90%). Lymphs: 3 x 3 mm (-62.5%), 4 x 3 (-75%), 5 x 3 (-40%). 5.1 CM from AV
10/17: LAR, Temp Ileostomy, Path Complete Response
CapeOx (8) 12/17-6/18
7/18: Reversal, Port Removal
2/19: Clean CT

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

Re: Enemas - HELP

Postby tammylayne » Thu Aug 23, 2018 10:34 pm

I do believe that less water is better. If you can get a good clean out with 4 cups, why use 6 cups? To me the more water the greater the risk of water sticking around and causing issues hours later. That is how my surgeon explained it. Less is more :wink:
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."

User avatar
susie0915
Posts: 945
Joined: Wed Aug 02, 2017 8:17 am
Facebook Username: Susan DeGrazia Hostetter
Location: Michigan

Re: Enemas - HELP

Postby susie0915 » Fri Aug 24, 2018 12:40 pm

tammylayne wrote:I do believe that less water is better. If you can get a good clean out with 4 cups, why use 6 cups? To me the more water the greater the risk of water sticking around and causing issues hours later. That is how my surgeon explained it. Less is more :wink:


I know it is an individual thing. But I agree with you Tammy. It probably depends on how much colon is left and how fast your peristalsis is. Some have more colon removed than others. I was using 8 cups or 2 quarts, and have gone down to 6 cups. I am now working to see if I can reduce more and still get a good clean out. But I agree that the more water you use, the greater the chance of residual leaking later.
58 yrs old Dx @ 55
5/15 DX T3N0MO
6/15 5 wks chemo/rad
7/15 sigmoidoscopy/only scar tissue left
8/15 PET scan NED
9/15 LAR
0/24 nodes
10/15 blockage. surgery,early ileo rev, c-diff inf :(
12/15 6 rds of xelox
5/16 CT lung scarring/inflammation
9/16 clear colonoscopy
4/17 C 4mm lung nod
10/17 pel/abd CT NED
11/17 CEA<.5
1/18 CT/Lung no change in 4mm nodule
5/18 CEA<.5, CT pel/abd/lung NED
11/18 CEA .6
5/19 CT NED, CEA <.5
10/19 Clear colonscopy
11/19 CEA <.5

scohow66
Posts: 33
Joined: Fri Apr 07, 2017 9:54 am

Re: Enemas - HELP

Postby scohow66 » Tue Aug 28, 2018 9:56 am

Thanks everyone...I am going to try to cut back on water. On most days I have need to use bathroom midday and usually at night with some minor clustering of stool. Not having many days of full relief so must be something driving this. I have basically no rectum, not sure how much colon, but it was an LAR with rectum removed. Was thinking the more water the better to get everything flushed out. Some days I have actually had to do 2 per day to keep things at bay...
52 Year old male
Dx with RC 10/2016 (T2N0M0)
Port implanted 11/2016
Rad with 5FU December 2016-January 2016
LAR robotic with temp loop ileo 4/2016
ypT0N0M0 - cPR to chemo/rad
Ileostomy reversal 10/2017
LARS


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