Enemas

I can't answer your question about the enema...but I can share that I've had this same problem. I got SO miserable that I started to keep a sort of 'diary' so I could figure out exactly what made it worse and what---if anything---I could do or change to make it better---because there are times when I have no problem at all with it, even though I do have the rectocele and symptoms. (I hated knowing that only "part" of it would come out and I still felt like I had to go for the rest of the day, etc. And that always led to a cycle of 'never-ending-wiping' because the consistency was so mushy-like. (If someone would have told me that someday I would be talking about this on a public forum I would have said they were nuts!~smile~)

I found that a.) eating more fiber (I mean a LOT more) b.) eating about 6 small meals at regular times throughout the day and c.) cutting out most sugar and ALL of certain things like: donuts, 'white' bread type foods, white noodles, cereals without at least 6-8 grams of fiber per serving, etc. and d.) eating LOTS of fresh raw vegetables and fruits every day has really changed this problem for me. (I've always been kind of a picky eater and junk-food junkie and never, ever thought I could make a life of fruits and veggies, but it's made SUCH a difference that I don't even crave the foods I used to eat. I eat mostly fruits/vegetables, lo-fat milk and yogurt, lo-fat cheeses, raw nuts and only very high fiber whole grains and cereals.)

If I eat this way (think: bulk) it just 'comes out' pretty much by itself----completely and all in one piece---like it's supposed to. (See books by doctors Michael Roizen M.D. and Mehmet C. Oz M.D--- authors of the "YOU" books--"You--The Owner's Manual"; "You on a Diet--Guide to Waist Management" and "You Staying Young--Guide to Extending Your Warranty." Dr. Oz is a frequent guest on Oprah. He explains things in a way we can easily understand and with enough humor to make it fun.)

Also, if I sit straight up and back (and toward the back of the toilet--like I'm sitting on a straight backed chair) any pushing effort is minimal and isn't concentrated in the front of my belly. With the combination of the natural contractions of your intestines (parastalsis--it's what gives us the feeling that we have to go and moves it "out")and the bulkiness of "it"--it kind of has nowhere else to go but out. The bulk is what can make it push right through the kink. (I also think the bulkiness/heaviness keeps it from 'breaking off' before it's all out.) I cannot say that this works for everyone, but it's an easy, non-medical way for me to avoid a lot of misery.

Please know that I'm only sharing what has worked for me and not in any way trying to make light of your question or situation. For now, anything to get it "out of there" and feel better is what you have to do---that's for sure. I've been there. I still have days when I haven't been careful enough for the preceding few days---and I get plugged up and suffer. And I can almost ALWAYS think back and identify what it was I ate (or didn't eat) that tripped me up. Then I promise myself to be vigilant about eating and drinking enough water. I hope you can have a comfortable day without a lot of symptoms and can enjoy the weekend. (Enjoyment to me has become any time I can NOT think about going to the bathroom all day long! :-)

Sorry to go on and on (and about such a topic!!) but I'm so tired of being uncomfortable and pre-occupied with my body parts and functions that I'm willing to try just about anything to 'normalize' how things are supposed to work.

Peace and prayers,
S&G

I have a similar experience with food and the end product- except that I don't experience constipation- but I do sometimes have that too soft stuff- what a pain. For me what has been really healing is to have those bulky-all in one peice deals- it takes the "kink" right out and the bulge lifts out of my vagina- which is wonderful- I feel the pressure of the bm- but in a way I have less pressure when my colon is full of the good stuff- I can't help but to wonder if over time my rectocele will heal completely b/c of this process of exercising involuntary smooth muscle.
I can hope right?

My gut feeling about everyday enema is that it probably isn't a great long term solution- but super good for the short term. I hope you feel better soon ATS.

Hi ladies

While we are on this very special topic, I was driving along today, wondering what it is that actually makes the bowel give the brain the message to push out the poo. Is it the fibre we eat irritating the bowel lining? Is it something in the fibre we eat giving a chemical message to that involuntary muscle to start 'peristalting'. Is it the fullness of the rectum that tells the bowel to start peristalting and pushing it along? Is it the pressure of the bowel contents pressing tightly up against the rectum wall? If this is the case, and the rectum kinks out past the damaged section of fascia, it will not get squashed at all, so the 'please empty me' message is not generated. This would explain why splinting works. It is gentle pressure against the rectum with a thumb or finger which gives the pressure sensation to the rectum and gets the movement going again from further up.

How does this sound for a theory?

I think the effect of the enema might be to lubricate the rectum and possibly stimulate/irritates/ tickles it a little so that it wants to empty. What about this theory too?

Cheers

Louise

i have to agree with alemama--i think they are probably fine short term, but long term not a solution.
just out of curiosity Anita, what happens if you just go as much as your body goes, and then get on with your day (other than how yuck it feels!). i get that sometimes, and find that later on the rest just finds its way out. not nice in the mean time, and i a vulnerable to sag if lifting the babe (though i've discovered tampons to sort that out).

but i have to agree re the food--when i really watch what i eat, it's not a problem. i know you've been experimenting, but wondering where you are at with your diet. i know that for me, it has to consist at least 50% of fruit and veg, some protein--largely pulses, nuts and seeds, and whole grains ie oats in morning and brown rice with lunch. NO dairy, sugar, & almost no carbs other than my rice and oats. i have also embraced tinned prunes for when i don't eat perfectly, or stew plums (either on soya yogurt are rather yummy!).

i found a great cookbook called "vegetarian cooking without" that's given lots of ideas...because this can, i have to say, get a bit the same. but when i stray, that's when i have problems.

don't know if that's of any help--i'd say keep trying, you will find what your body needs to go in to be sure it all comes out!!! ;-)

kiki