Re: The often maligned soapsuds enema

Hi Cat, addressing your PS first: Colace won't hurt and it may actually help in keeping your stools soft. It's gentle on the system and is often recommended for young children.

SSE's definitely assist in removing old "gunk" from the walls of the colon and is one of the reasons that they are, and have been for generations, the favorite of experienced R.N.'s in relieving constipation.

An SSE is also more irritating to the lining of a clean colon than is a Sea Salt solution which is soothing and less likely to cause cramping, but also less effective in removing old, hardened or impacted waste matter.

If I'm just stressed or up tight or otherwise just want to have an enema to relax, then I take a Sea Salt solution. I've found that Baliene, a French brand is the most consistent in ease of pouring from it's cylindrical container without clumping.

Typically if I become even slightly constipated (over 48 hrs) I'll take an SSE, and if I have the time, follow with a Sea Salt solution. I try to avoid plain water if possible because sometimes it gets absorbed by the body by osmosis and can cause bloating and a sense of fullness. Or worse, an hour or more later you may have to rush to the toilet to release what remained up there.

Hope this helps -

Valerie