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NudistRichard Asked July 2020

Do caregivers mind giving Enemas rather than depending on laxatives?

Geaton777 Jul 2020
When my 20-yr old son recently had a surgery and was taking (first) some opioids, but then lots of OTC pain meds he became very plugged. We tried everything and eventually he opted for a Fleet enema. He said it was easy and worked almost immediately. If the person/agency who hired you gives you approval to do it, and the care recipient seems like it won't traumatize them, this type of enema might be an acceptable option but they have to lie down to get the enema then sit on the toilet. My son just put beach towels down on the bathroom floor and then was right there for the "after affects". He said it worked great, but then again-- he's 20.

CaregiverL Jul 2020
Had a big mess tonight with my mother first time in 3 years...mom did not poop for almost a week ... gave senekot + 0ne additional stool soft .. in the a.m. prune juice... well, she went & I got her to commode ...I’ll spare details, but I thought, ok so I put her back in wheelchair & started smelling something..later on....needless to say I had to throw outer pants out. It was everywhere! & she kept saying she don’t know how it got there...that I must’ve put it there..she cursing me while I’m cleaning her....& then I changed her sheet too since it got dirty too... while she was in bed...wow it was some mess . I had to have a beer 🍺 after. Exhausted 😩

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Midkid58 Jul 2020
As a professional CG I was not allowed to perform an enema on my clients. And Yes, I would have minded a LOT, b/c I would have been the one to clean up afterwards.

For their safety and mine.

I also would hate to have to deal with the aftereffects of an enema--they tend to be pretty harsh and if they are not properly used, can cause bowel perforation and a lot worse stuff.

I'd try the warm prune juice & Miralax method. Always worked for me. Also, keeping hydrated esp if the person is on opioids. Look up external bowel massage for constipation. Sometimes this gentle massage can encourage a BM when the person is really in pain.

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