Colonic Irrigation. Should I have it done?

[Lizzylou]

Colleague wants me to go with her to have colonic irrigation.
Not in same room, obviously, that would be weird.

She had it done a few years ago and has raved about how good she felt. Said it was just a strange sensation.

I cannot get my head around the fact that someone would be shoving a tube up my arse and pumping warm water around my guts though.

Is it worth the weirdness?

We would be going to a reputable and regulated place btw.

"I cannot get my head around the fact that someone would be shoving a tube up my arse and pumping warm water around my guts though"
I think you've answered your own question there!

But I want the benefits! Just not the ickiness.

I quite fancy it .

My friend had it a few years ago, said it was weird but she felt great afterwards.

That's it, Shrimp.
My friend has been going on about how fab she felt afterwards. Slept better, felt less bloated, better skin etc.

But. Ugh.

Surely there has to be a better way to spend both your leisure time and however much it costs than having litres of water pumped up your arse to no proven medical benefit, at medically proven risk of bowel perforation, and to accomplish a task which your body will perform for free, risk free and very efficiently as long as your diet and health are good.

What Blu said.

No way.

I would never consider having that done,can't think of any good reason to do it.
The thought of anybody sticking a tube up my bum makes me feel quite ill.
Each to their own though:)

What blu said!

Isn't the colon supposed to be self cleaning?

I've heard tales of unusual things to drop out when it's been done, like a marble that the person had swallowed twenty seven years previously as a toddler. (thus negating my first sentence I suppose)

I reckon if you really wanted to do it, it couldn't be that hard to to yourself hence saving yourself some moula and dignity.

Years ago , as a nurse , we used to have to do bowel washouts (colonic irrigation)as prep for bowel ops and investigations , it was a vile practice and I fail to see why anyone would pay for the privilege . We were pleased when the practice was stopped .

Don't bother, it's dangerous nonsense. From quackwatch.org:

Colonic irrigation, which also can be expensive, has considerable potential for harm. The process can be very uncomfortable, since the presence of the tube can induce severe cramps and pain. If the equipment is not adequately sterilized between treatments, disease germs from one person's large intestine can be transmitted to others. Several outbreaks of serious infections have been reported, including one in which contaminated equipment caused amebiasis in 36 people, 6 of whom died following bowel perforation [7-9]. Cases of heart failure (from excessive fluid absorption into the bloodstream) and electrolyte imbalance have also been reported [10]. Direct rectal perforation has also been reported [11]. Yet no license or training is required to operate a colonic-irrigation device. In 1985, a California judge ruled that colonic irrigation is an invasive medical procedure that may not be performed by chiropractors and the California Health Department's Infectious Disease Branch stated: "The practice of colonic irrigation by chiropractors, physical therapists, or physicians should cease. Colonic irrigation can do no good, only harm." The National Council Against Health Fraud agrees [12].

In 2009, Dr. Edzard Ernst tabulated the therapeutic claims he found on the Web sites of six "professional organizations of colonic irrigations." The themes he found included detoxification, normailzation of intestinal function, treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, and weight loss. He also found claims elated to asthma, menstrual irregularities, circulatory disorders, skin problems, and improvements in energy levels. Searching Medline and Embase, he was unable to find a single controlled clinical trial that substantited any of these claims [13].

www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/gastro.html

Is there any difference between colonic irrigation and an enema? Can't think of anything I'd less like to do!

LillianGish - According to a quick google, an enema uses about a quart of water, while a colonic uses gallons and gallons. I don't see the appeal either, plus it's based on woo nonsense.

i want to get it done

A colleague I once worked with had it done.

Apparently meat and eggs are very slow to be completely digested and got rid of.

That is all! if we had a vomit icon I would have it here

It's woo.

Poo woo.

at poo woo Blu.

My colleague was just so evangelical about it. It made me think it could be worth the pain and embarrassment.

Hmm.

Think I'll just take 2 senna tablets then.

If quackwatch had its way you wouldn't be allowed by any form of vitamin either!

If you are nervous don't go. It will take about 3/4 sessions to see any benefit, depending on how healthy/regular you are currently.

I went to a spa in Thailand for a week of self administered enemas twice daily and a fast. I didn't perforate my bowel etc. It's a weird sensation, not terribly unpleasant. To be honest I preferred doing it myself. Its having the clinician insert the tube in my rectum that would mortify me.

After the week, I had lost weight, my skin was great and my eyes were v v sparkly. Well worth it, would love to go again one day.

If quackwatch had its way you wouldn't be allowed by any form of vitamin either!

If you are nervous don't go. It will take about 3/4 sessions to see any benefit, depending on how healthy/regular you are currently.

I went to a spa in Thailand for a week of self administered enemas twice daily and a fast. I didn't perforate my bowel etc. It's a weird sensation, not terribly unpleasant. To be honest I preferred doing it myself. Its having the clinician insert the tube in my rectum that would mortify me.

After the week, I had lost weight, my skin was great and my eyes were v v sparkly. Well worth it, would love to go again one day.

I had a few some years back to try and help my IBS. In all honesty, they didn't make any difference though I did find the sensation somewhat soothing .

I was also sold a multitude of tablets that were meant to help but did bugger all.

If you've got the spare cash then go for it but don't expect to come out of it 2 stone lighter with a washboard stomache!!!

There are no benefits. It's bollocks. There's nothing in your bowel that's been there more than about 72 hours, if that. All this guff about sluicing out years of fetid poo is just a pile of fetid poo really.

Have a mani-ped if you feel like bring pampered.

Certainly something that divides opinion

I was not expecting to lose weight from it, just feel cleansed.

Will do more research and see whats what. If I can achieve the same results with some senna tablets and Aloe Vera juice then so be it.

So what you really want is diarrhoea, but you're not sure whether to diy it, or to have someone else induce it then suck it out with a tube?

No. Not diarrhoea.
Just to unblock.

I was very swayed by the people who said how wonderful they felt afterwards, cleansed and clean. I'd like to feel clean inside. I'd like sparkly eyes and a sense of wellbeing.
That is why I have started a thread, to find out others thoughts/experiences.
Not expecting a quick fix or miracle cure.

I've had a colonic irrigation. I did not find it embarrassing at all. It was all done very professionally and gently by a nice lady.
However, I was not prepared for how much my colon would cramp and spasm. It was uncontrollable and felt a bit like labour contractions! Not too painful though...just weird.
Afterwards I did feel much better for a couple of days but it soon wore off. And it cost me 60 quid!!