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Mesalamine Enemas Distance Question

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/29/2020 5:34 AM (GMT -7)
Hi, Thanks for the information that you all provide on this forum. I'm sure it helps a lot of lurkers like myself.

My question is do you think positioning after taking a mesalamine enema affects its success? Normally, I'm able to take one after a BM and walk around/stay upright. But my last colonoscopy had inflammation "between 30 and 50cm" and i'm afraid the medicine isn't going up high enough in my colon. I also take oral Mesalmine tablets that unfortunately don't seem to go DOWN far enough (2400mg 2x/day)

I'm wondering (seriously), if any of you think that lying upside down, with your legs up against a wall and your head and shoulders on the ground might help the medicine go further up the colon? Or simply lying down with a pillow underneath so that you're at least slightly elevated.

Thank you!
Posted 10/29/2020 5:46 AM (GMT -7)
yes - legs up the wall - drunk spiderman style -

TT
Posted 10/29/2020 6:57 AM (GMT -7)
They say to say to stay on your left side for around 20 mins after doing the enema to help with that
Posted 10/29/2020 9:38 AM (GMT -7)
How long on the enemas?

Lay on your left side for a half hour...simple.

Welcome to the forum.

q
Posted 10/29/2020 10:29 AM (GMT -7)
Agreed, left side, preferably with right leg bent over the left (left side decubitus position) - provides most complete coverage of the area you're trying reach. Can use a smallish pillow in between legs. Good luck!
Posted 10/29/2020 5:02 PM (GMT -7)
Definitely lie on your left side for half an hour post-insertion. That's supposed to disperse enema contents to the sigmoid colon. If you have inflammation at 50 cm., though, it sounds like your descending colon is involved, too. So you need the oral mesalamine to treat that area. It takes a while for mesalamine to reduce inflammation, but it's a relatively safe med in terms of possible side effects. Depending on the degree of inflammation you have, it could take a couple months or more to bring your symptoms under control so try to be patient with your body. / Old Hat (40 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking Colazal)
Posted 10/30/2020 6:32 AM (GMT -7)
X-rays of enemas with contrasting dye show that the entire left side is covered (the descending colon). That's your rectum, sigmoid, and beyond until the splenic flexure is reached (where intestine bends from left side, and runs horizontally across your abdomen). The transverse colon isn't typically reached (past the splenic flexure).

No gymnast feet in the air, cartwheels needed lol.
Posted 10/30/2020 9:41 AM (GMT -7)
That's not true, ipoop. I have left-sided UC. The mesalamine enemas alone do NOT treat the descending colon/splenic flexure areas, certainly NOT to a lasting remission. / Old Hat (40 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking Colazal)
Posted 10/30/2020 10:16 AM (GMT -7)
For some, an inversion table may be just the ticket. Don't know about it's effectiveness, however.
Posted 10/30/2020 10:38 AM (GMT -7)
I don't understand the point...considering that UC starts at the rectum and climbs upward, the most difficult areas to treat with oral meds are the rectum and sigmoid. Hence the push for people to use the enemas. It doesn't matter how high it goes past the sigmoid...but I assume the 100ml Pentasa compared to the 60ml others would go farther if there is no stool to hinder its travel.

Use a proper dosage of oral meds to treat the rest...both ends approach makes the most sense.

q
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