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Does anyone have trouble "holding in" retention enemas?!

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 8/18/2007 4:11 AM (GMT -6)
I was prescribed Hydrocortisone retention enemas for a stricture in the sigmoid colon. I'm supposed to do one in the morning, and one overnight. The morning is virtually impossible, sice I go to the bathroom until I leave for work. The one at night is so hard! I can hold it for about an hour, but then have to get out of bed to expel it because of gas/cramping. Does anyone else have this problem? My bowels are emptied at night, but I just can't retain it. It's so uncomfortable. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Mabe an hour is long enough.... Thanks! Julie
Posted 8/18/2007 11:52 AM (GMT -6)
I only ever use mine in the night because I too have most activity in the AM so it's a waste of meds using it in the AM.

:)
Posted 8/18/2007 4:28 PM (GMT -6)
The only time I ever had to take enemas was when I was first diagnosed, and let me tell you, I couldn't hold them in for the life of me....10 minutes, that was that, they weren't staying no matter how hard I tried.
Posted 8/19/2007 3:45 AM (GMT -6)
Thank you both for the replies! I am going to start skipping the morning enema. Not because I want to, but I just can't hold it in, and I'm "literally" flushing money down the toilet. Last night I was able to retain for 1 1/2 hours. I guess that's better than nothing.... Thanks again! Julie
Posted 8/19/2007 4:40 PM (GMT -6)
sorry if this sounds at all gross..but my doctor said to lay on your stomach and sqeeze your sphincter muscle, hold it for about 10 seconds and then let go, and repeat for a couple of minutes. then the urge to go should disappear. it has worked well for me. hope that helps.
Posted 8/19/2007 8:50 PM (GMT -6)
It gets easier after time. I can hold them better now without the urge to expel, but once the gas comes I have to run and release.

I have actually cut my usage way back because I am getting "slowed" up too much. Like it's there but won't all come all out.

So I feel like I'm not getting my treatment, but I am miserable taking it. Dr says to keep trying to adjust and stick with it.
Posted 8/20/2007 3:28 AM (GMT -6)
Thanks to all of you for the suggestions/comments. PB4.... I'm in the same boat as you. Just can't do them in the morning. Acrobat.... thanks for the suggestion. I'll give it a try! Katydid.... I can certainly empathize! When the gas comes, so does the enema! Julie
Posted 8/20/2007 3:40 PM (GMT -6)
You know, I had this problem with the Rowasa enemas intitally as well. The first problem was I was so constipated and full of you know what I couldn't even get the liquid IN let alone hold it in. I did a one time large volume tap water enema(with that big bag you hang over a doorknob. I was able to empty out a lot of backed up stuff. Then, I used the enema but only half the volume in the bottle. Held it for as long as possible. Then did the other half later when things calmed.
The first few days, I also did them every other days, 1/2 at a time. Then the constipation went away, the bleeding almost stopped completely, and the BM's became actually normal!
So, look at it like you are in training. you don't run a 5K all at once after one run, same for these.
This method really works. Get on your trainers and good luck
Posted 8/22/2007 12:36 PM (GMT -6)

My Doctor gave me the same thing (i think) little hard enema capsules.   She gave the to me for those times when I cant stop my urge to push, but unfortunately I cant not push it out.    Sometimes when it is really bad, I'll smoosh it up really good and apply with a q-tip.

 

acrobat said...
sorry if this sounds at all gross..but my doctor said to lay on your stomach and sqeeze your sphincter muscle, hold it for about 10 seconds and then let go, and repeat for a couple of minutes. then the urge to go should disappear. it has worked well for me. hope that helps.

Acrobat,

Does that also work on those days where you have the urge to push all the time?    Please say yes. confused

 

Posted 8/22/2007 8:49 PM (GMT -6)
Acrobat,
Does that also work on those days where you have the urge to push all the time? Please say yes.

My doctor says it's supposed to work by telling your brain you're already busy down there, lol, so the colon muscles stop contracting. He told me even people without Crohn's should practice it like Kegels so when I'm his age (he's 80, lol) I'm not constantly soiling myself, haha. It has helped me on some days when I have felt the constant urge to go. Not 100% of the time, but often enough to recommend trying it smile
Posted 8/22/2007 11:05 PM (GMT -6)
Just want to suggest you do kegal exercises, they've helped me tons, I do hundreds of them every night I have noticed a huge difference while exercising, I no longer feel like I'm gonna pee myself.

:)
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