Like twice a week. I understand that most doctors advice not to use
stimulant laxative (Dulcolax ...) very often because it causes bowel
dependency. But what about Fleet Enema? Is there a safer alternative to
help with constipation problem?
Thanks in advance.
>Like twice a week. I understand that most doctors advice not to use
>stimulant laxative (Dulcolax ...) very often because it causes bowel
>dependency. But what about Fleet Enema? Is there a safer alternative to
>help with constipation problem?
Fleet enemas have phosphates in them and it is possible for small
people (i.e. children) who get way too much to get hyperphosphatemia,
which can be deadly, especially if they have kidney failure.
PF
Jeff - 11 Feb 2005 02:42 GMT
>>Like twice a week. I understand that most doctors advice not to use
>>stimulant laxative (Dulcolax ...) very often because it causes bowel
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> people (i.e. children) who get way too much to get hyperphosphatemia,
> which can be deadly, especially if they have kidney failure.
Although it is rare, it is possible that you can also rupture your colon.
And you can develop depency on enemas as well.
It is much better to work with a doctor to resolve this problem.
Jeff
> PF
Sbharris[atsign]ix.netcom.com - 12 Feb 2005 02:51 GMT
>>Fleet enemas have phosphates in them and it is possible for small
people (i.e. children) who get way too much to get hyperphosphatemia,
which can be deadly, especially if they have kidney failure. <<
Fleets enemas are one of the dumbest things on the market-- an example
of grandfathered-in stupidity.
The idea is that if you put a little amount of really concentrated salt
in the lower colon, it will be so irritative as to give you rectal
contractions. Even if this were true, I can't imagine why anybody would
want to do it. Evacuation of the rectum is caused by pressure from the
abdomen, and no irritation is needed, or helpful. It's just---
irritating. Might as well put hot pepper up there if you like pain.
As noted, the high concentrations of phosphate in Fleets have caused a
number of complications, especially in children. Without adding
anything but expense. There are NO studies to show the things work any
better than an equivalent amount of tapwater. If they had to be
approved by the FDA today, they wouldn't be.
In fact, if you can pry the top off a Fleets, maybe the best use of it
is to empty it out into the sink and THEN use it as a syringe for a
tapwater enema.
The volume of a Fleet's is small (4.5 oz). Not enough to cause danger
of rupturing anybody's colon (at least not an adult).
Stimulant or irritative laxatives taken by mouth are well known to
cause some habituation as the colon adapts, but I have heavy skepticism
that this happens for the small rectal filling volumes you would find
in a Fleet's bottle, even if that phosphate does cause some local
irritation.
I've heard many warnings that tapwater enemas can cause "dependency".
Again, I'm skeptical. I don't want to say "who says", because this is
something everybody says. But like all that guff about the need to
drink 6-8 glasses of water a day for optimal health, I think it's an
urban medical myth. Baloney, I say. Show me the studies.
SBH
How about going the natural way? Increase your fiber intake and ensure
adequate hydration. I just drink more water and my constipation is
gone.
Anybody willing to comment on lactulose also...
jkclub2000@yahoo.com - 11 Feb 2005 14:55 GMT
Yes, I am seeing a doctor about this and follow his advice on fiber,
water and exercise. However, it seems like it could take a while to be
effective, so I need a temporary solution
tech27 - 11 Feb 2005 23:10 GMT
Frequently taking tuff like Fleet and.or Ducolux can't be good. It's a very
strong laxative used primarily for total cleansing of the lower GI in
preparation for colonoscopy, etc. I wouln't think it's a good idea to use it
often.
> Yes, I am seeing a doctor about this and follow his advice on fiber,
> water and exercise. However, it seems like it could take a while to be
> effective, so I need a temporary solution
del - 14 Feb 2005 04:40 GMT
=) It seems to me that you have answer your own question.
The fiber and water should work within one day cos, it would take about
8 hours to digest the contents of your GIT. The excercise is for
increasing the peristalsis of your intestines. Apart from taking
vegetable and fruits as fiber source, you could also take "Fybogel".
P.S. Taking 2 or 3 dosage shouldn't be a problem. If it still make you
worry, just using it at an interval of two to three days.