Cone Enema Program

People with spina bifida or neurogenic bowel may need to use a cone enema program to avoid constipation and stay continent. This video shows how to set up your bathroom for a cone enema program and goes step by step through the process. Learn more about spina bifida at www.lifestyleaccelerator.com

Category:

Education

Tags:

• spina
• bifida
• cone
• enema
• neurogenic
• bowel
• program
• spinal
• cord
• injury
• chord
• myelomeningocele

[MamaPlaysMozart]

Fantastic video Annie -this is SOOO helpful for us -thank you so much for sharing. Can I ask what the name of the the special chair you use is? We have a 3 year old daughter as well.

[anniebethdonahue]

@MamaPlaysMozart We use a Rifton.  It is called the Rifton Blue Wave Toileting System. It has optional straps depending on how much support you need. We had our equiptment rep recommend the chair, then our physical therapist wrote a letter of medical need to our insurance company so they would cover the purchase.

[wawieland]

We are considering this program for our 5 year old son w/ SB. He starts kindergarten in the fall and would love him to not have to worry about a poopy pull up at school. My concern is will he completely lose the urge to have a bowel movement whend we start this? Also, is it possible to do it less than every night or to take a break on the weekends? It sure is time consuming for both kids and parents alike.

[anniebethdonahue]

@wawieland I'm not sure about the "urge" part because it would vary depending on the amount of sensation your child has. If he does feel when he needs to go poop, then he shouldn't lose that sensation, just like we wouldn't lose it if we had an enema for some reason. It is possible to do the cone enema program every other night but only after it has been well established. How long that takes varies from person to person depending on how their body responds. Every night is necessary at first.

[BrooklynsPlayground]

I am new to the cone enema (I plan to use it for my daughter who is 5 and has SB) and was wondering if it was necessary to use soap or another saline solution in with the water? what is the reason for this? Your video was so helpful and took much of the stress and fear off of me. Thank you!

[anniebethdonahue]

@BrooklynsPlayground

Most people do use some sort of solutions- soap, glycerine, etc. We used Johnson baby soap- one squirt- and that worked fine for us. I've heard a couple of reasons. One is to "irritate" the bowel and stimulate it to empty...some people say it helps soften the stool or make things slippery.. Currently, with our MACE program, we just use tap water with nothing added, but we don't have the new program down pat yet and are still experimenting. I'm glad I was able to help!

[anniebethdonahue]

You do not hold the cone there for 30 minutes. You hold it until all the water goes in, then maybe for a few more seconds if possible. Then you take it out.

[anniebethdonahue]

You do not hold the cone there for 30 minutes.  You hold it until all the water goes in, then maybe for a few more seconds if possible. Then

[TheVlclark1]

do you have to hold the cone there 30 minutes? Is there an alternative for holding the cone there will the irrigation is going?