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Rowasa enema questions

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Ulcerative Colitis
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enemapro25
New Member
Joined : Jun 2013
Posts : 10
Posted 6/6/2013 3:52 PM (GMT -7)
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.
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Little Buddy
Regular Member
Joined : Jun 2010
Posts : 52
Posted 6/6/2013 4:02 PM (GMT -7)
If you really have mild inflammation, you might not feel anything as it goes in, especially if you are lying on your left side. When I use them with high inflammation, it really hurts -- you can feel the liquid stretching out your colon as it moves down and sometimes causes cramping. When I have low inflammation, I really don't notice it at all.

One way to test if it's really in there is to sit up after you finish it -- as the liquid travels back down you'll probably feel some pressure and urgency; then lie back down on your left side and it'll pass. Finally, you'll know if you've missed - that goop stains everything brownish, so if you're doing this in bed, put an old towel underneath you to protect your sheets.
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enemapro25
New Member
Joined : Jun 2013
Posts : 10
Posted 6/6/2013 4:32 PM (GMT -7)
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.
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Terrapin
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2010
Posts : 34
Posted 6/6/2013 4:47 PM (GMT -7)
Personally I don't feel it either, especially if it is warm. When they are cold or room temp in the winter I tend to notice it more. Also its definitely good practice to squeeze the air out and don't forget to shake it well first to mix the mesalamine back into suspension. Good luck....fun times!
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ScienceGirl
Veteran Member
Joined : Oct 2012
Posts : 511
Posted 6/6/2013 4:53 PM (GMT -7)
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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hurtbyuc
Regular Member
Joined : May 2013
Posts : 74
Posted 6/6/2013 5:05 PM (GMT -7)
I use it every night. Hardly feel anything going in I never have any spills. It might take used to getting the position right to dispense it all. Starting off squeeze is not too easy but you can empty it fully by compressing it in different ways. Some time if the sqeeze is too hard i suspect I might be squeezing into stolls directly and retract and reposition just slightly and it seems to help. But in general first squeeze is a little tough.
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enemapro25
New Member
Joined : Jun 2013
Posts : 10
Posted 6/7/2013 5:17 PM (GMT -7)
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.
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ScienceGirl
Veteran Member
Joined : Oct 2012
Posts : 511
Posted 6/7/2013 6:54 PM (GMT -7)
It took me a few weeks of using them to really get a strong effect. It's a topical medicine, so unlike steroid enemas, the medicine doesn't get absorbed at all. It sounds like they're already a little effective for you, which is great.

I found some ways to decrease the discomfort I would experience immediately after taking the enemas, but in general, the feeling just passes after a few minutes. If it doesn't--if you really can't hold the enema in and fall asleep--my doctor said even 20-30 minutes with the meds in is better than not taking them!
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MossPiglet
Regular Member
Joined : May 2013
Posts : 183
Posted 6/7/2013 7:53 PM (GMT -7)
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.
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quincy
Elite Member
Joined : May 2003
Posts : 32483
Posted 6/7/2013 9:43 PM (GMT -7)
enemapro....well, you must learn to live up to the name you're now invested. Sounds as though you're getting the hang of it.

Since I'm fairly experienced at using the enemas I'll make this suggestion.....just use them.

Your butt will tell you when the enemas have done their thing, and it'll be when you're not having anymore symptoms. Of course, your symptoms can go up and down a bit...but there's many here who can offer guidance and suggestions.

Then you can consider to start the tapering process.

OK, another suggestion....consider to stay on a maintenance dosage of twice a week after you've tapered to that point.

It can take a while....patience.

q
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spex_girl
New Member
Joined : Jun 2013
Posts : 1
Posted 6/8/2013 3:48 AM (GMT -7)
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??
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quincy
Elite Member
Joined : May 2003
Posts : 32483
Posted 6/8/2013 12:34 PM (GMT -7)
Yes, it does, and I can relate to the gurgling during flaring. OR...if I'm using the maintenance enemas, depending on what I've eating during the day can cause the gurgles.

What are you eating during the day...change in food can sometimes make a difference.

Are you taking any probiotics?

Asking your doc for an antispasmodic to take before bedtime is helpful.

Stay with the enemas...it takes a while. Hang tough.
Welcome to the forum...please take the time to start a thread to introduce yourself and ask questions. It will get lost on another's thread questions.
q
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enemapro25
New Member
Joined : Jun 2013
Posts : 10
Posted 6/11/2013 3:57 PM (GMT -7)
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.
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fruitgirl
Veteran Member
Joined : Feb 2009
Posts : 7150
Posted 6/11/2013 4:07 PM (GMT -7)
That's great you're doing so much better!

My guess the problem last night was due to gas. I only have trouble retaining them if I'm gassy. I typically use enemas on Sunday and Thursday nights, but will put it off a night if I'm feeling gassy.
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enemapro25
New Member
Joined : Jun 2013
Posts : 10
Posted 6/12/2013 2:24 AM (GMT -7)
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?
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Andrina
Veteran Member
Joined : Aug 2011
Posts : 3690
Posted 6/12/2013 3:34 AM (GMT -7)
Try to hold it for 30 minutes. If you cannot hold it after this, you're ok. Try to breath to calm the urgency down.

Also make sure you empty before you do the enema.

I'm not sure if I would do another enema if I couldn't hold it for at least half an hour.
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quincy
Elite Member
Joined : May 2003
Posts : 32483
Posted 6/12/2013 9:50 AM (GMT -7)
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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