I've been suffering from pouchitis for about 2 years now. I've been on and off various antibiotics since. My doctor said that some of his patients swear by using a daily water enima. This has enabled them to get off the antibiotics. Apparently it washes out the pouch. I've been faithfully doing this every morning for about 6 weeks now. It hasn't done a thing. Has anyone actually had any success trying this? Do you have to hold it in? or evacuate immediately? Morning or night? I can't see how plain tap water is going to help rid any bacteria.
Has anyone tried or heard of this?

that makes no sense. I could believe saline but not tap water.

Well, it depends. I can see how it may work in cases where a contributing factor to the development of pouchitis is incomplete evacuation of the pouch. In other words, tap water enemas might possibly benefit people who have difficulty emptying for various reasons, and where that retained stool is allowing for a build up of bad bacteria.

However, since you've given it a good go and it doesn't work for you, then obviously this isn't your issue, and it's time to move on to something else. As I'm sure you're aware by now, pouchitis can be a tricky beast. Some are able to keep their pouchitis in check with pepto bismol, some with VSL or another probiotic, and yes, perhaps some with warm water enemas. Basically, what works for one person may not work for somebody else. In that case, I wouldn't doubt what your doctor is saying, in that it may be working for some of his patients. As with anything else pouch-related, it's all trial and error.

There was a period where I gave myself regular TAP water enemas for constipation.
Whenever I did it would rinse out the pouch well and stop bacteria overgrowth and my output was a LOT less hot and stinky.
I really dont like doing enemas, but they are most effective.

Tap water enemas can be safe and/or useful for a nightly rinse to help reduce the fecal stasis in the pouch. It either helps or it doesn't. I would think a week or two would be enough to tell if it was useful for you.

Jan

Hi Albertagirl,

I haven't posted in a while but I've been doing a lot of reading. I am SO glad this support group is here. I've been having trouble with pouchitis again lately and I think part of it is due to not being able to empty my pouch. So I've been using warm water enemas at least twice a day and get a lot of relief from it. I'm seeing my Gastro doctor Tuesday. I must have a stricture developing.

Thanks to everyone who posts; you don't know how informative and comforting you can be.

Dave

I'm at 11 months since take down and currently on flagyl so this topic is great. I'm apprehensive as I don't know what a safe amount of water for the enema would be. Could I do harm with too much water? Would the amount in a fleet's enema be about the right amount?

Thanks - great question

Yes, 2-6 ounces should be sufficient and you can repeat as needed. More wouldn't hurt you, as it would just flow upstream. Might be uncomfortable. I wouldn't mess with bigenema buckets....overkill.

Also, no need to add enema soap or salt. Plain tap water is fine.

Jan

I feel its helped me the past month or so.

Thank you Jan and all, this topic and discussion is helping me.

What kind of container/bottle do you use to administer a water enema?

Been there-done it-feels great to clean out the pouch, I still do it cause I have a bidet and it is easy-BUT, it did nothing for my pouchitis.

I don't know if this will work for me, but I am thankful to find this post. I have trouble w/ constipation and then end up w/ pouchitis. I am going to try it. I hope you find relief.

With my BCIR or someone with a kpouch we irrigate nightly with tap water to prevent pouchitis and to just clean the junk that has been in there all day so I don't see how this wouldn't benefit a Jpoucher. My pouchitis clears up usually in a few days. I am
Still very new so for us first 6 months we tend to battle it on and off.

I have not tried this but I know somebody tht does it several times a day. when at home he uses bidget but when away uses and enema bag. He said it changed his life. I don't think he has ever had pouchitis but says he does it because if he does not he hurts and says b/c of the acid in his body. I think the stool staying in for a long time cana cause pouchitis.