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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 2/6/2010 11:36 PM (GMT 0)

After tiptoe-ing around the large box of Rowasa enemas that I brought home a month ago I finally gave in...and after only 3 nights of enemas I'm feeling so much better.  It was silly to avoid them for so long!  Thank you, fruit girl, for the encouragement and for the tip on holding the bottle under warm water before use - really helps. 

In any case, after flaring for 9+ months I feel great today.  Still not completely "normal," but in the last 3 days I haven't seen any blood and I've only had a few urgent restroom trips.  Really hope I'm on the road to remission.

Purpose for posting: if anyone is reading this and unsure of whether or not to try Rowasa enemas, it's worth a shot.  In my limited experience they don't leak, or hurt like saline enemas. 

One of the main problems I'm still having is that every morning I have to use the restroom immediately when I wake up.  Did anyone else who's had this issue find that it went away once you were in remission?

Posted 2/6/2010 11:56 PM (GMT 0)
Wonderful that they're helping you so much! Once you get past the idea, it's not so bad. And they are SO different from Fleets enemas - a completely different concept, just the same entry method.

I have found that the less inflamed I am, the less I need to run for the bathroom when I first get up. Right now I'm not going until after I up, shower, dress, and go downstairs to organize the family breakfast! This hasn't been the case for a long time for me. I am sure you'll get there too!
Posted 2/7/2010 12:16 AM (GMT 0)
I have been using the Mesalamine enemas for many years. Daily during flares and every other day for maint. I find that during bad flares, I usually have to use the bathroom first thing in the morning. When things are better, it may be anywhere from an hour after wake up to several hours. Hang in there, it will get better. I agree with others that believe treating from both ends is the best. . . . well, at least for me it seems to work best.
Posted 2/7/2010 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
I too have been using Mesalamine enemas for many years and they have been the most successful treatment I have found for managing my colitis. Unfortunately the disease is complicated and what works for one person won't work for everyone. That said, I have learned through painful experience it is good to try different things. I was like you: initially, I resisted the enemas and tried everything else instead (tablets, pred) despite my GP telling me they work really well when they work. What a dope I was.

Sadly I took some antibiotics for what was apparently an ulcer a month ago and my gut has been in turmoil ever since and the enemas are only helping to keep things barely manageable but not solving the problem. Working on it...

j.

p.s. The disease may also change on you so what used to work may stop working, so keep trying stuff!
Posted 2/7/2010 6:24 AM (GMT 0)
well, eventually they come around.

I remember the very first one I used....that was 21 years ago.

Yes, you will have urgency when flaring, and you might have some urgency in remission when using the enemas. It's a different urgency but a while after the first urges that you can hold, however....more like jet-powered...haha.

Oh, and for the record....we don't pay for any of the rectal med endorsements tongue
q
Posted 2/7/2010 1:13 PM (GMT 0)

Rowasa was "gold" for me, as well.  Absolutely LOVED it!

jkingfrt is correct in advising that what works for one now, may not always do so. Over time, Rowasa lost its "magic" with me. Still was good, but not "great." That's when I started researching possible causes of my UC symptoms (for me-probably a combination of antibiotic use in teen years and/or during pregnancy, birth control pills, living in moldy/damp/water-damaged env't), which led to experimenting, and finding success with an antifungal diet. My doctors could never suggest an "exit strategy" with the drugs, and that was not OK with me. I wish you continued successes on your road to recovery!

Posted 2/7/2010 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
Glad they're working...quincy is the one who got me on the enema bandwagon, so thank her, too!

When I was still flaring, I quite often had to trot right to the bathroom shortly after getting out of bed. Now that I'm in remission, I don't notice any difference the mornings after I use an enema.
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