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Dificulty retaining Mesalamine enama

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Posted 8/26/2009 5:51 PM (GMT 0)

Hi, first post. I'm having  dificulty holding in the mesalamine enema all night. Even holding it in at all.  The first enama is a total blow out, then if I do a second I can keep it in for 3-5 hr. Do I need to "prep" with some kind of enama first, or start with smaller amounts then increase untill I can retain the full 4gr/60ml dose? I do take a Nu-Lev tablet before with no succsess. I will note that I have no problem with the canasa suppositories that I take in the day time. I'm determined and would appreciate any advice or recommendations. Thanx

Posted 8/26/2009 6:44 PM (GMT 0)
When you say the first enema is a total blowout, do you mean you can't hold it in? If so, use an empty bottle, fill it with warm distilled water, and use it first to see what happens. That should provoke you to get rid of anything that's inside you at the time
Posted 8/26/2009 6:55 PM (GMT 0)
I suggest looking through this thread: https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=1574145

I don't want to retype everything again, but there are some good tips in there.
Posted 8/26/2009 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I can't hold in the contents of the enema. Not even for more than a 45-60 seconds. But, the second attempt is succsessful. I'll try this tonight with the warm distiled water. And I'll look up that link. I thought the Nu-Lev tablets were supposed to calm everything down... Thanx again.

Posted 8/26/2009 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
Sometimes when I first started (if you make it the inital half hour on your side) I would lay on my back with a pillow under my butt so gravity would help out a bit. Also, Nulev has absolutely no effect on me either.
Posted 8/27/2009 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
I spoke to my doctor and he sugested just going with the suppositories at night only and continuing my Lialda for daytime. After a week or so, start back with the enema at night and return to the suppositories and lialda for daytime. Reason being spasams in the rectum area need to be controled first? I think the distiled water first method is a better idea. I'll list more of my info when I get things figured out.
Posted 8/27/2009 7:02 AM (GMT 0)
omg...please don't do an enema to purge before you do the retention medication enemas. your colon will just get used to that process.

The suppositories are an alternative and shouldnt give you the urge to go because it won't give the added weight in the sigmoid...which can trigger the bm.


You should, however, use the suppositories night and in the morning to give a higher amount of med to the rectum.

You should then try the retention enemas again eventually.....


quincy
Posted 8/27/2009 11:45 AM (GMT 0)
Are you pushing out all the sir before you insert the enema. If I don't do that, I can not retain it either. 

Posted 8/27/2009 12:47 PM (GMT 0)
     I have this problem also.  My GI doctor said to use the Cort enema and hold as long as possible.  If it comes out, then insert the Canasa suppository.
Posted 8/27/2009 12:56 PM (GMT 0)

quincy said...
omg...please don't do an enema to purge before you do the retention medication enemas. your colon will just get used to that process.

The suppositories are an alternative and shouldnt give you the urge to go because it won't give the added weight in the sigmoid...which can trigger the bm.


You should, however, use the suppositories night and in the morning to give a higher amount of med to the rectum.

You should then try the retention enemas again eventually.....


quincy

What is the difference in purging 60 ml of medicine rather than 60 ml of water? It has helped me many times to be able to retain meds down there when I was so inflammed nothing would stay in. It gives people an option that would otherwise just stop trying altogether due to the problem.
Posted 8/27/2009 1:54 PM (GMT 0)
Quincy, the first enema is not acting as a purge for a bm. Iagree with using the suppositories at night and day, that makes sense to me. The distiledwater enema makes sense; I won't waste medicine on a spasam, then I can retain the medicine as Dr-A stated.
Posted 8/27/2009 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
You can also just try using half of the enema to see if you can hold that.
Posted 8/27/2009 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
Whatever....I'd still never have my arse believe that it needs to purge nightly before the med through a mechanical means. If I had to go..I'd rather wait for the process to happen naturally or because of inflammation BEFORE the enema and wait for the urge to go after the enema while groaning, biting the sheets, pinching my husband and squeezing my butt cheeks, do deep breathing or huffing or whatever it takes to get through it...it passes after a minute or so. 


But, I've been doing them for 20+ years and have only had to let go of 3.

If anyone chooses the method of an enema before.....more power to you. But I disagree with it because of the "habit" of it.....ESPECIALLY if one is only purging the med or water and no stool.

I think it would be better to stick your butt in the air waiting for the urge to pass than run for the toilet...use suppositories.....take antispasmodics.....fibre supplements.....relaxation exercises...anti anxiety meds....calming teas.....or half the enema as fruitgirl suggested.

Best to learn the process of retaining....


quincy

Posted 8/27/2009 8:08 PM (GMT 0)
"Best learn the process of retaining..." Just spoke to my GI and that was his advice, exact words. And "using half of the enema". This regiment is new to me so I'm trying to learn as much as I can. Thanx all.
Posted 8/27/2009 9:41 PM (GMT 0)
Verified....sometimes it's sweet.
Posted 8/28/2009 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
LOL, trust me I know how to retain an enema. When it's not gonna stay its not gonna stay, no matter how tight you clinch your butt. My GI in ATL actually gave me this idea around 7 years ago and I use it when needed. It really has nothing to do with any "habit". For me, sometimes it's either run out of medicine and hope you can go a week without it because you wasted 7 down the toilet, or do what I need to make sure it's staying in. I was grateful when I got this advice so I will gladly pass it on for the right situations.
Posted 8/28/2009 6:18 AM (GMT 0)
share, share, share....always options. I just disagree strongly with that one for what I believe is illogical and unnecessary process.

We all do what we want anyway.

q
Posted 8/28/2009 12:55 PM (GMT 0)
Overall, I appreciate all the experienced advice given. Thanx!

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