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Enemas and sleep

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Posted 4/2/2010 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
Can you fall asleep after you give yourself Rowasa (enema) or do you have to wait a half hour?
Posted 4/2/2010 6:51 PM (GMT 0)
I'm usually awake for hours after I use it.....I rarely just fall asleep when I go to bed. I either read or watch TV.

You don't have to wait a half hour....the point is for one to lay on the left side for at least half an hour after administering it. I don't anymore since most of my inflammation is rectal. I lay on my right side actually if I'm watching TV or lay on my back if reading.


If you can fall asleep immediately....that's awesome!
q
Posted 4/2/2010 6:54 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't used the Rowasa too extensively, but when I did, I just inserted it and went to sleep. I don't fall asleep immediately-I usually take a bit, but when I use rectals, I always just lay down, insert them and go to sleep-I don't try and stay awake or anything. Are you concerned that if you fall asleep you will relax the muscles and have trouble with retention? If so, I have never had that problem.
Posted 4/2/2010 7:26 PM (GMT 0)
I pretty much always drop off within the 30 minutes that I'm supposed to lay on my left side. I prefer to lay on my right, though, so sometimes I cheat and go ahead and roll over after 15 minutes or so if I'm uncomfortable on my left side.

Why do you feel like you "have" to wait a half hour?
Posted 4/2/2010 7:33 PM (GMT 0)
I'm just trying to manage my time a bit better in the evening and not fall asleep too late. That half hour of time puts a crimp in my sleeping schedule, which I have to be mindful of.

Glad to know I'm not boxed in to certain requirements with these enemas.

I hold them in fine. I credit them with getting rid of rectal pain for now.

Thanks to all the rectal enema pushers out there.
Posted 4/2/2010 7:36 PM (GMT 0)
I guess I'm still confused. So you can't fall asleep after you've used it? If so, why? Honest curiosity here. Whether or not I use an enema doesn't have any effect on what time I fall asleep.
Posted 4/2/2010 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
Sometimes the enemas give me stomach cramps, and its hard to fall asleep. Usually if I try some deep breathing and remind myself its just my body wanting to expel the enema and that I don't really have to go, I will fall asleep.

They must absorb into the body fairly quickly, because there have been instances where I thought I'd have 1/2 hour and not be interrupted, but realize I forgot to let the dogs in, etc. and have to get up. Even without waiting the full 1/2 hour I don't usually have a problem with retention.
Posted 4/2/2010 8:22 PM (GMT 0)
I'm usually asleep within a minute of tossing the bottle at the trash can. I wait until last thing - after reading after lights out, after a nice snuggle with my DH - then, juts before I doze off, I turn to my left and use the little bugger. Toss and....Zzzz...
Posted 4/2/2010 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
Ellen, do you mind expanding on how EXACTLY they crimp your sleeping schedule? Use them when you go to bed to sleep.

I'm confused with the question I guess. I thought bedtime was bedtime...no matter what time one falls asleep.

q
Posted 4/3/2010 1:51 AM (GMT 0)
I just do mine and go lay in bed...either I go to sleep or read or something.

I don't necessarily do the enema at the exact same time every night, it just depends on when I feel like laying down.  But once I do it I'm usually in bed for the night. 

And I used to hate the laying on the left side thing, now I'm used to it and actually like it.

Posted 4/3/2010 6:36 AM (GMT 0)
Sleeping schedule mmmmhhhh

snuggle with husband
Get up and feed the cat
wash up
read in bed
fall asleep

I guess the enema seems like it adds 30 minutes. It's not a big issue right now for me. Constipation has come up. :-)
Posted 4/3/2010 7:08 AM (GMT 0)
.....do it before you read. It won't matter that much if you're laying on your back. Better doing it then than not at all.

q
Posted 4/3/2010 12:57 PM (GMT 0)
I dont get it..why does it add 30 min.. For me it adds one minute maybe..I do it..and go to sleep..and if I dont go to sleep I just lie and watch tv...I dont get what you mean by adding time..
remember its just a guideline..I bet some pple do it and go out to party after..you never know with some..
Posted 4/3/2010 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
yeah, ok, I think I see what you are asking.  But, I just do the enema right before I lay down permanantly for the night, no matter if I plan to read or sleep.  Actually doing the enema takes a minute tops then I just go do what I would normally do, be it sleep or read or whatever, but I do always go lay down right after.
Posted 4/3/2010 3:39 PM (GMT 0)
OK, I got it. Issue resolved. Thanks!
Posted 4/3/2010 5:47 PM (GMT 0)
less stress about that issue will help.
Curious how long does it take you to an enema?


q
Posted 4/3/2010 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
I was told 1/2 hour and I lie on my right side. Should it be my left side?
Posted 4/3/2010 7:31 PM (GMT 0)
Oh dear, I think I've been laying on the wrong side. Always something new to learn. :-(
Posted 4/3/2010 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
Would it be terrible to add in a second enema today. I feel sore
Posted 4/3/2010 10:31 PM (GMT 0)
I have done two a day at various times. Where is your soreness?

I lie on my left side because the descending colon goes down the left side, so I feel as if gravity helps get the medicine where it needs to go more easily.
Posted 4/4/2010 12:39 AM (GMT 0)
So I've looked closely at the figure drawings that come with the enemas. If you really got into that position for 1/2 hour it would seem to be impossible to do anything other than let it sink in.
Posted 4/4/2010 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
I really laughed when I looked at those pictures 2 years ago.  I don't believe I have ever been able to get into any of those positions since I was about 10 years old!  LOL

I had to give myself the enema on the toilet - not easy but couldn't reach any other way.  I only used about 2/3 and was able to get to my bed on left side (I have left-sided UC up a little).  I did not use enemas long as I could not tolerate them - they made my condition worse.  I tried both Rowasa and cortisone.  BUT - the foam cortifoam and suppositories - Anusol - work fine for me.  As for the enemas, I had a lot of cramping and no way I coudl sleep for and hour or so when the cramps subsided.  They just were too strong for me I think! 

ElaineNY

Posted 4/4/2010 1:46 AM (GMT 0)
What is the best way to position and use the enema if trying to keep medicine near the very lowest end of the rectum?
L
Posted 4/4/2010 6:33 AM (GMT 0)
Ellen....how long does it take you to insert the medication in the enema?




Lynn. Lay on your left side. Insert the nozzle about half way in. Squeeze the bottle to start the medication and then while still squeezing, withdraw it to almost the anus. continue squeezing and then push the nozzle almost fully in until the bottle's finished.

Once any urges have passed, sit up or lay on your back. Read or watch TV...or lay on your right side.

You could also do the suppositories 3 times a day instead?

quincy
Posted 4/4/2010 12:17 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the instructional on how to get the enema to help the very end of the rectum. I will give that a try.
L
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