Bloating from enema use?

Hey @mkts,

I don't thing enemas are a big problem if you don't overdo them. Your colon is lined with mucus in which the bacteria live. Enemas may weaken this mucus-layer but won't destroy it.

Taking antibiotics affects the bacteria in your colon big time and waaaay more than enemas. Maybe you even noticed bigger dumps in the toilet bowl? That extra mass was dead (symbiotic) bacteria that was killed of by the antibiotics...

So, my wild guess is that you took in some kind of "bad" bacteria that grew well in your intestines and threw your normal symbiotic bacteria-mix off balance. The antibiotics may have reseted that.

It is possible though, that these "bad" bacteria found the way inside your body through the enemas, but I can't tell how realistic that is. You may ask a doctor for advise which amount of enemas are uncritical.

Cheers, Unfug

My recommendation: slow down on the enemas. I think it is a compulsion to use them for a "thorough" cleaning. Your aneros session doesn't need that. And, you are messing with your digestive system.

I give my self a single rectal rinse before sessions. I fill a fleet's enema bottle (holds about 1/2 cup) with warm tap water. That cleans out the rectum, where the aneros actually resides, and is minimally invasive.

Darwin

Darwin and Unfug have this right. The "best use" of an enema involves a simple clean out of the rectum... not the colon. Using too much water can make the more thorough clean out inevitable however (6 to 8 fluid ounces is sufficient). A thorough flushing of the colon can get dicey. There have been times where I've done this to no ill effect while other times have produced uncomfortable distension. With respect to the latter this seemed to occur hours after the fact, presumably due to the disruption of the normal enteric flora. Limiting the enema to a small volume of water generally avoids this.

Of course all of the usual recommendations apply; healthy diet, with a good amount of fiber, good hydration and exercise. If you're going to be using enemas routinely, I'd add probiotics to that list as well. One last thing, if you're enema is the reusable type make certain that everything is cleaned (soap and warm water) and dried prior to use.

With respect to your beer consumption, normally it shouldn't be a problem, but know that all beer contains a small amount of live yeast. This is particularly the case with some craft beers. Introducing more yeast (we already get it in other foods we eat) into your system at a time when the bacterial flora is out of whack could present a problem under the right conditions.

For more information on enemas check the WIKI under Preparation/Cleaning your Rectum.

BF Mayfield

The non-enema 90+% of the group crowd can probably skip this as it will probably be too much info.

I'm no doc but get suggestions from a Naturopath / Accupuncture specialist who operates a Health Food store and has a Colon Threapist working in her office.

When I fall into my usual routines, I tend to sometimes forget enema basics. So this may be helpful.

Assuming you are on a reasonable therapy and pleasure schedule that's worked for you in the past and your gear is regularly cleaned (mold free) here are a few things you might check:

-- City tap water may vary seasonally and the anti-bacterial agents may be irritating you or upsetting your body chemistry. Try a change to steam distilled water from the grocery store. Look at your annual blood chemistry for such things as an Iodine deficiency or Thyroid variation.

-- Remember to balance the Osmolarity of the solution to make it resemble a classic yet mild Salt-Soda enema. If you are on a reduced sodium diet, consider a Potassium based Salt Substitute. If you suspect you may be absorbing a significant amount of fluid during enema keep a bottle of Sports drink at bedside and sip from it regularly during your enema session.

-- Remember that the rectum and colon are far more absorptive than is a Vagina. Do some research on the lube(s) you are using during your Aneros sessions and make sure the osmolarity of you main lube is suitable for the human body. If your lube is causing some minor rectal/colon lining issues, that small issue may be magnified by an enema that's also, "off the chart" osmalarity-wise. Here's a starting point for this mental exericse. The first two pages have the important information, skip the rest an do you own searches for further information. http://www.rectalmicrobicides.org/docs/Lube%20safety%20Q&A%20FINAL%20Oct%2013.pdf

-- Remember that some health store herbals can act as an antibiotic as can home-brew enema additives like Garlic. Long term effects may be destruction of valuable, vitamin-producing colon flora. Or, there may be a condition where one bacteria 'outgrows' another essential bacteria. TV advertising would have us swallowing weekly Probiotics to correct this condition. However, even the 'second generation' probiotics are killed off by stomach acid and never arrive in the colon. Consider a more direct approach and rectally adminster your probiotic well after you end your session of cleanses and rinses. I buy a dairy based probiotic in my grocery store. If you are allergic to dairy, do some research on the web and ask what your Health Food provider offers. Remember to check expiration dates. Check labels for refrigeration instructions.

Check the sites down below and pick a recipe that's compatible with your choice of Probiotic. Most of these are 'retention' enemas and must be held at least five minutes.

Plan on some gas build up as the bacteria start to multiply in your lower GI tract. Allow that to proceed until the 'growling' subsides. (tip: the ProJr. serves as a good retention plug, offers the bonus of some prostate care and may keep your mind off the probiotic action in your belly.)

Some recipes:

http://www.enema-web.com/acidophilus_enema.htm

http://catsfork.com/Health-Disease/Enemas-Recipes.html

For me, I just wipe thoroughly until the TP comes up clean, and during my shower, I soap up the opening and let the water wash it out. Then, I use one of those flushable wet-wipes and work it in and around inside, and when one comes out pretty much clean (almost always the first wipe), I figure I'm clean enough. There's never been anything on my syringe, nor seldom on my Aneros after a session.

Anyway, that's what works for me. Hope it's helpful.

For me, I just wipe thoroughly until the TP comes up clean, and during my shower, I soap up the opening and let the water wash it out. Then, I use one of those flushable wet-wipes and work it in and around inside, and when one comes out pretty much clean (almost always the first wipe), I figure I'm clean enough. There's never been anything on my syringe, nor seldom on my Aneros after a session.

Anyway, that's what works for me. Hope it's helpful.

Works for me too.

Thanks for all the comments and information. Since losing my semi-bloated abdomen and seeing how my girl reacts to a flat stomach, it has become somewhat of a priority keeping it in good form. I am taking probiotics and trying to maintain intestinal flora by not getting as carried away with enemas. Working well so far.

small bulb enema and maybe a 1/4 cup of water, or even a few ounces, just something to get sometimes a tiny little bit out of my rectum that might be there and I can't tell (happens most of the time). Then when I lube up its a wet rectum and so damn slippery I can't even explain how slippery wet it is!

(Sadly I used water based natural or bad-stuff free lube because the shea butter and coconut oil don't do squat, I had to literally rip the aneros out of me last time I tried coconut oil and it was so painful I had to take a prostate pleasure break for a few days!)