enema advice? TAH/BSO 10/8

Hi everyone! I am scheduled for a TAH/BSO on Thursday, October 8. I am SO nervous!!! Does anyone have advice for administering this Enema before hand? Looking at the directions on the box, and looks like a circus act to perform while doing it by yourself! Any advice????

I am laughing uncomfortable, sorry but I needed that laugh. When I had to do it, it was funny too. I just did the best I could, put a towel under you while you do it. It all does not empty inside of you, at least it didn't for me. I only could hold it for maybe a minute without going to the bathroom. The nurse told me that it was fine. Do not be nervous about it, just insert it the best you can and get as much as you can inside of you. You will be fine.

I also had TAH/BSO, also cervix removed. Good luck to you.

Hi,
I am scheduled for a TAH Oct 20, and I was told I had to give my self an enema the night before surgery. The nurse at my Pre op said it would be easier to lie in bed. Now, I'm not sure if I will be able to reach around and do this for my self but she did say it wasn't a big deal if only alittle bit went inside. The Doctor's just want to make sure we have no accidents on the table I guess. I am going to ask my DH to give me a hand when it's time. He may be imbarressed as I will be but what are DH for if they can't help you when your in need. Good luck with your surgery. Quick recovery. I am nervouse to but I will be so happy when this is all finished with. Best wishes.

Pauline

I almost canceled surgery when I heard I'd need to do an enema! I'm terrified about that part!!! But the assistant and the doctors office put a funny spin on it, so I'll have to suck it up and do it, LOL!

Anyway, you aren't alone in this one, my dear!

I drank a bottle of magnesium citrite (sp?)...did the job & wasn't messy like an enema! I was not even required to do a bowel prep, but I didnt want anything in there. Maybe ask if that is an option? Its so much easier & works the same. Good luck

Before you begin warm the solution under some water so it is not cold (be careful don't make it hot ). Use towel under and over to drape yourself. If your husband is going to help you can get all set up and cover yourself with a sheet so all he will need to do is hold and squeeze the bottle. You may want to apply a bit of vaseline to the tip. It isn't nearly as bad as our minds predict. Good luck

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Originally Posted by bluntcate I drank a bottle of magnesium citrite (sp?)...did the job & wasn't messy like an enema! I was not even required to do a bowel prep, but I didnt want anything in there. Maybe ask if that is an option? Its so much easier & works the same. Good luck

I was wondering if doing the "prep" even tho you didn't have to.... help with Gas pains? I have my pre-op on the 19th and I am not sure if I will be required to do one but thought I might try it if it would cut down on gas. Thanks!

I'm going to have to tell my DH about this part. He's going to love teasing me about it when I have to do it! lol

At least we can all bond over all this stuff.

I self-administered. Like Hope09 said, I put a waterproof pad on my bed and laid down to do it.

Note that I am not a health care professional and I am only sharing my personal understanding and knowledge.

Here's a tip: lay on your left side. That puts your rectum "up" and your sigmoid colon "down" and helps the liquid get where it needs to be. You also might want to deliver it in short, small amounts over a couple of minutes rather than one big squeeze... but do not go to the toilet in between parts.You need to receive the whole dose before letting it work, and you should try to hold it for a minimum of three to five minutes (or as directed).

Once you have received the whole dose, you might try turning to your back and even to your right side to get the fluid throughout your colon. Generally, though, all you're trying to do is to empty the distal (sigmoid) colon and rectum because those are the parts closest to your uterus. Since you'll probably have been on a clear liquid diet the day before, if you're not chronically constipated you might only have "residue" - as I put it - when you do have to go.



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Darcey - I wouldn't do a prep if your doctor hasn't told you to do one - but I would also call your doc to make sure it wasn't left out of the instructions by accident. The reason I wouldn't do it is because any bowel prep runs the risk of causing an electrolyte imbalance or dehydration. Even if you don't have diarrhea per se, the point of magnesium citrate or any other liquid prep/enema is to cause your bowel to lose fluid due to osmotic pressure, therefore causing the liquid to cleanse out any fecal matter. At the least, you'll probably end up with a morning headache; at the worst, you might end up in the hospital before your surgery call time, and if you're seriously ill from the prep it could delay your surgery!

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Darcey - I wouldn't do a prep if your doctor hasn't told you to do one - but I would also call your doc to make sure it wasn't left out of the instructions by accident. The reason I wouldn't do it is because any bowel prep runs the risk of causing an electrolyte imbalance or dehydration. Even if you don't have diarrhea per se, the point of magnesium citrate or any other liquid prep/enema is to cause your bowel to lose fluid due to osmotic pressure, therefore causing the liquid to cleanse out any fecal matter. At the least, you'll probably end up with a morning headache; at the worst, you might end up in the hospital before your surgery call time, and if you're seriously ill from the prep it could delay your surgery![/quote]



Thanks for the advise.....I dont have my pre-op until the 19th, but I was just wondering what would happen if I did one without being advised to. I just dont want to suffer from more horrible gas pains if I can get away with it!