Many people are terrified of doing enemas. As a result, they will choose to remain constipated -to the point of great discomfort or even pain- or experience more die-off symptoms than necessary. To encourage people, I’ve decided to create a post to which I will regularly add people’s experiences. Note: The GAPS Guide book presents a step-by-step guide to doing enemas, with links to supplies including a comfortable tip for children.
I was soooo freaked out when I did my first enema! It was years before GAPS, I was doing an intestinal cleansing program. I took off all my clothes, locked the bathroom door (wished it had extra locks), and actually did it *in* the shower stall. In addition to being super squeamish and grossed out, I was thinking “it’s a one-way street”. But pretty soon, like most people, I thought it was the greatest thing ever, and had to stop myself from talking about it at the dinner table, lol.
To take an enema, I relax luxuriously in a warm bath. No problem! – I do have a question, though. Why does Dr. Campbell-MacBride say to lie on your right side? Last time I checked, my sigmoid (the entrance to my colon) was on my LEFT. I would dearly love a reply to this. Thank you very much – Runa
Hi Runa,
I don’t know the ‘why’of this, no. You might want to ask on one of the email lists, which at least in the past included at least one colonic therapist, who might have thoughts on this. (Alternatively, you could consult directly with Dr Natasha.)
All my best,
Baden (p.s. I edited your comment out of concern for one part possibly being misconstrued.)
When is it recommended to do an enema? And is there any point in the program where it is best to introduce them?
I’ve done a lot of enemas in years past during juice fasts, as a daily technique for clearing out the colon during a time when the intestines are not working to digest solid food. I felt great. My only bad experience was after a ten day raw food retreat (with daily enemas), when my bowels didn’t start working until a couple weeks after reintroducing solid food — I got very sick.
That’s when I learned that raw food is BAD BAD BAD for me, although juicing is still great. But that’s the background to my fear of doing a bowel cleanse while still eating — might it actually interfere with bowel function?
Hi Jeanne,
In the GAPS program, an enema is recommended if one has gone 24-36 hours without a bowel movement.
Some people like to use them also when experiencing acute die-off.
Detailed instructions on the GAPS approach to enemas are offered in the GAPS Guide book.
All my best,
Baden
I’ve just done two enemas for my son and I wish I had done it earlier!! He regularly goes for about 3 days without defecating (bowel impaction history etc etc eeeek). This time I thought that I would try and nip it in the bud, and what was I even worried about!! I put a movie on for him to watch after explaining the whole process to him (he’s 6 yo) and talked him through the whole thing. It was all a bit uneventful for him I fear! The fun thing was seeing what came out – he called it ‘poos wees’. He was begging for another one the next day (think that may be due to the getting to watch a movie hmm)….All in all a great way to reduce his regular toxic symptoms from faecal buildup and autointoxication. Yuss!!
Janieke
Right on, Janieke! Thanks so much for sharing this with us all!
All my best,
Baden