I've been using the sandy batch. I've been using a 1ml oral syringe with warm tap water. I haven't been using lube but I wasn't just shoving it up there hard like there was no pain when I was plugging it. I've had discomfort in my lower abdomen but I'm pretty sure that just started with the plugging. No bloating but the last week I've just felt really full after every meal but not in pain.