Enema - How strong are they?

My appointment was 8 am and I left at 7.30am.

I did the Enema at about 6am. It worked out ok as I didn't want to use hospital toilet

Hi Steve I have recently finished a course of radiotherapy, because I lived a 50 minute + drive to the hospital I took the enama with me and went early enough to use them, and still have time to drink the water. The enemas are not very strong, they are meant to work on the last few inches of the gut and are nothing like those used for a colonoscopy. But you could always take some incontinence pants just in case.

All the best Ulls

Grundo, Ulls,

Thanks for the replies.  I think it's just another case of fear of the unknown.  Will this happen? Will that happen?

Once I have had my first, I should get a better picture of how long they take to work.

I'm only about a 15 minute drive from the hospital (30+ in the rush hour).

I was saying the other day that I was looking forward to the Radiation sessions.  But once I got the letter with the date and time, it made it all real and threw me back in the state I was when I was diagnosed..

I'm getting my head around it now 

Hi Steve

The RT sessions are really nothing to worry about. In fact, once you get to know your fellow 'inmates', it's likely to be real laugh - if my experience is anything to go by! COVID may make things a little different though, depending on how the waiting room is managed.

I, too, was bothered about the enema but  it's really no big deal.  I did  suss out where any public toilets were on my drive to the hospital (45 mins) but never had to stop and use them. The only problem I had was being stuck in the hospital loo for 15 mins.

Once the enema effect has finished it doesn't keep going for a great period of time. None of the others having the RT had any problems either as far as I could tell.

Hope my experience eases your mind somewhat.

Regards

Stuart

Stuart,

Thanks for that.  I know it's just my mind being overactive.  It's the only thing that's overactive these days, thanks to PC and the Hormones.

Hope you are doing well.

Hi Steve as I said previously I have recently finished a course of radiotherapy. For 18 months I had had problems peeing, since the radiotherapy my flow has steadily got better now back to normal. The machine is quite open, and the room cool and airy, the treatment takes less time, than removing your pants and putting them on again, quite relaxing really.

All the best Ulls

Ulls,

Thanks for that.

It's great to hear other people's points about this subject.

I'm sure I'm not the only one thinking this.

If it's any help, the stuff in the enema is pretty much like a stick of dynamite: One big bang (if you hold it as long as you can!), then it's pretty much over (no guarantees, though!). The stuff you have before a colonoscopy is more like a nuclear missile. The explosion goes on and on, and the after effects feel like they go on for ever.

Perfect analogy!

Heinous,

Loved the reply.

You've got a way with words.

It should be on the literature from the hospital.  Puts it into context.