anyone routinely use enemas?

just wondering if regular use of enemas would be a good strategy for staying off pred...? and, better to use steroid enemas or the 5ASA enemas when teetering on a flare? thanks.

---

29/Female/NC
Pancolitis dx 3/07
*12 Asacol/day
*100mg Imuran/day (steroid dependent)
Various vitamins, probiotics, fish oil.
Engaged: June 1, 2007

I take 4 Colazal a day and 1/2 bottle of Rowasa every other day. This regimen keeps me feeling normal and able to do everything I want to do and eat whatever I want to eat.

I tried going totally off Colazal and ended up in there E.R. If I change the Rowasa to every 3 days, my symptoms begin to return.

If you find a maintenance dose and stick with it, I would think that you could stay off Pred. I've never taken anything other than 5 ASA drugs.

---

I would say YES! If you can get by without pred by using enemas - do it! Pred - although a must in certain situations - can have disaterous results and isn't a drug to be used lightly. The side effects - bone density loss, hair loss, emotional mood swings, thin skin, tooth sensitivity, insomnia, moon face, edema, and many more - are not worth it if you can avoid it!

You can use both enemas - just a different times of the day. Or some people have used Rowasa one night and the hydrocort the next - alternating like that.

---

Pan-colitis and GERD diagnosed May 2003

 

Asacol 12 per day,  Azathioprine 75mg, Rowasa and Canasa as needed

Aciphex, Effexor XR, BCP, Rhinocort nasal spray

Culturelle, Biotin, Folic Acid, Forvia, Calcium, and B12

 

Osteopenia (hip and spine) from prednisone use.  Started Azathioprine because I was steroid dependent.

 

Co-Mod for the UC forum

Keep HealingWell running smoothly:  www.healingwell.com/donate