HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Can I take mesalamine enema every day for a long time?

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 9/19/2009 3:54 PM (GMT 0)
Both Canasa and mesalamine enema work for me.

A month and a half ago, I saw a new GI and he wanted me to switch from 1g canasa nightly to 4g/60mL enema nightly.

Enema worked well,

after one month, I began to do enema every two days as the GI told me.

It has been around half a month, I began to find trace of blood on paper towel. (Not on stool)

Today, I found more pink stuff on stool.

It seems blood come back. When I used enema, next day stool is good, and without enema, next day seems trace of blood.

This happened twice and seems blood is increasing......

Maybe I have to take enema every night? Is 4g everyday too much dose for us?

Anyone takes enema everyday? I assume we should use enema twice a week.

Thanks.

Posted 9/19/2009 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
Long term use of a mesalamine enema is safe. In fact, that is usually the treatment for UP. My GI said that he has had patients that have been on the enemas for years with no problem.
Posted 9/19/2009 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, you can take them every night indefinitely. My new GI told me there's some evidence they might have an anti-cancer effect for us, so it's ideal to be on them indefinitely - not every night forever, but some.
Posted 9/19/2009 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
You just tapered down too quickly. Go back to nightly for at least a month or two...then taper.

It's an up and down process sometimes....

A month on them isn't a long time....I was once on them nightly for 4 months before tapering.

It can be frustrating, but eventually, you'll get it figured out.

If you have success using them....it'll serve you well for a very looooong time. For me, it's been 20+ years. I do use them nightly for flares, the length of time nightly varies, depending on what's going on in my life unfortunately....

Basically....your butt rules. If you have to increase, you have to increase.

When you insert the nozzle fully, squeeze the med but slowly withdraw to almost the anus and then back in again. That way, you'll get more med at the most stubborn area of the rectum.

Lay on your back rather than on your left side after a few minutes if you have no grumbling, etc.

Discuss with your doc if he's OK with you monitoring the use of the enemas as per your symptoms. My doc suggested that and at least you're not at the mercy of the doc's schedule.

As well...make sure he's OK with the pharmacy calling for refills, etc...that way you'll not be without the meds. Make sure the prescription is always for nightly meds....not once every so many nights. because you'll be guaranteed to always have enough for flares (which happen on their own schedule) and tapering to maintenance.

Keep us posted.
quincy
Posted 9/20/2009 11:52 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you very much.

I'll take the enema every two days a little bit longer (try 2 or 3 days more).
If I still see blood on paper towel, I'll call my GI and possiblly go back to 1 enema per day.
I'll keep you posted.

quincy, you are really knowledgeable.
Posted 9/21/2009 2:21 AM (GMT 0)
Hi..you're welcome. Just experienced and extremely supportive of 5ASA oral/rectal meds.

It's patience....as per my GI....that one needs when using them.

Try not to look at it as all or nothing, on or off. It's a process using them...especially the enemas, and if you can deal with flares and maintain remissions by tapering to a maintenance dosage, they will serve you for a very long time.

Ignorance was bliss for me, I guess, but I trusted my doc to my benefit.

oh, going back to nightly isn't a failure, it's common sense in doing what your butt is needing. The decision making process is something learned, however...takes time. It took me about 2 years to understand it and by the third year, it worked well.

Yes I flare....but they're minimal, and I treat them all with the enemas...increase and taper.

quincy
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply