Rowasa enema questions

Hi,

I just have a quick question about using the Rowasa enemas (I think I actually have the generic one; it says something like Perrigro mesalamine enema)

After oral medication (Asacol) seemed to be ineffective for treating my urgency and blood, I decided to bring up rectal medications to my GI doctor. He took a look with a sigmoidoscopy (Inflammation seems to be in rectum and sigmoid, he said it was mild) and decided to prescribe me the enemas.

Anyway, I tried the first one last night. I tried some of the tips that people on forums suggest (squeezing the air out first, warming up the bottle) and went ahead and did it.

Is it common to really feel nothing at all from the enema fluid going in? It was kind of hard to squeeze the bottle since it was kind of smashed from me squeezing out the air. It seems like most of the fluid was gone when I checked the bottle after, and there was nothing on my legs to indicate it spilled out or anything. I noticed a little on the rubber glove I was using, though.

I was just curious because I heard about people having gas, cramps, and urgency when using these enemas. I'm just wondering if I'm possibly doing something wrong. This morning I seemed to have slightly less urgency and no blood, but that happens sometimes anyway.

Yeah, I definitely noticed a stain in the sink. I turned the bottle upside down after I was done to see if any was left, and a little bit came out. This morning, the sink was stained reddish-brown. I didn't notice any stains on the towel I was using though.

My inflammation is pretty mild, according to my doctor. I was just curious because the Fleet enemas I used made me feel a ton of urgency. I know that's a laxative but I think I would feel *something* from this. And yeah, I was on my left side. I stood up after about 15 minutes to walk to my bed, and didn't feel anything then either.

Anyway, thanks for the input Little Buddy.

When I was using mesalamine enemas (and hydrocortisone enemas, way back when), I had a much harder time retaining them when my inflammation was really awful. As I improved, they were easier to retain. I could usually feel them going in, but I never did anything to prep them first, so they were always at room temp (so it felt cold).

I used the same generic one, and they were SO HARD to use sometimes! Sometimes, I felt like my hand might break just trying to squeeze the bottle.

I had (well, still have) a really difficult time emotionally with rectal meds, and so I was a little offended that I had to work so hard to use them. Insult to injury!

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26yo female
Diagnosed with moderate pancolitic UC 10/07, severe 2/13
Flares: 8/07-12/07, 7/10-1/11, 2/12-ongoing (but getting better, slowly!)
Currently taking: 6MP (75mg/day), Remicade (10mg/kg every 6 weeks)

Alright, thanks for the input guys.

I used another one last night; managed to get most of it in, but not all of it. This time I felt a little bit of gas/stomach rumblings but I managed to fall asleep. about four hours later I woke up and had to let it out because I was too uncomfortable to fall back asleep.

Also, I've noticed that BMs are a bit more formed and there's less blood (but still some), but the urgency is still there. Is this pretty typical of using these for a couple of days? I primarily want to get rid of my urgency. I know two days isn't much but just curious.

Did enemas a lot over 10 yrs ago, both steroid and rowasa. I think the rowasa helped, but found them very,very uncomfortable. Recently got some suppositories (Canasa) and they are a *tad* cheaper and I like them so much better and do not feel the discomfort, and they seem to work. Very unsexy though. Like the anti-date or something.

hi
ive been in glorious remission for about 3 years, but now fighting with UC symptoms again. mezavant x4 hs has worked wonders for me up until now. the past 2 nights i've used salofalk enemas, but my problem is the gurgling/tummy rumbling/gas going on all night long! i don't get any sleep! it's actually awful. yesterday, after i was up about 2 hours, had some D, passed a bunch of gas, then tummy behaved well the rest of the day. this morning im now "waiting" to hit the bathroom in hopes of ridding my insides of the circus that seems to be going on there. does anyone else experience this effect? will it go away the more i use the enemas??

Alright, just thought I'd post an update plus a quick question...

I've been using them for about five days now and have seen some real improvement. Little to no blood, urgency reduced, only two BMs a day, etc.

However, last night, I tried using my nightly enema and my colon just would not cooperate. I was only able to hold it in about ten minutes before I had to let it out. Does this ever happen to anyone? It was weird because I held it in for four days prior with no problems at all. I'm thinking maybe I had a little gas or something because I was burping a little earlier that night.

Alright, thanks.

One more question: If for some reason I can't hold it in again, should I try another one or just go to bed for the night?

It's rare one can have a bm before doing an enema (on command)...

If you can do and hold it for a half hour, that's good. If you dump it, then do another one.

Maybe at this point, do a half enema...hold it for the half hour and put in the rest afterward.

But...explain EXACTLY how long afterward you're having to dump it?
Explain EXACTLY the process you use for administering the enema.

q

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*Heather* I give suggestions, do with them what you will.
Status: ...Asacol 3 @ 2x daily; Salofalk enema @ 3rd night (nightly/ flares, tapered/maintenance)
~diagnosed January 1989 UC (proctosigmoiditis)
~Bentylol 20mg as needed; Zantac 150mg; Pulmicort/Airomir (asthma);Effexor XR 37.5 (depression)
~vitamins/minerals/supplements; Probiotics....(RenewLife Ultimate Flora Critical Care+Primadophilus Reuteri capsules @ bedtime)
~Metamucil capsules 6 twice daily with meals; Vitamin D 4500 IU
~URSO for PBC(or PSC?) 500mg X 2 daily (LFTs back to NORMAL!!)
My doc's logic.. "TREAT (FROM)BOTH ENDS" worth it !!!