how many use maintenance enemas?

Hi, I use Rowasa for maintenance, and I recommend it.  I actually do every other night, both times I tried to taper to every 3rd night, I flared.  I will probably try again though.  But, if I was you and I could do every 3rd night or twice per week, I'd do it for sure.  No reason not to really I suppose.

I'm alternating suppositories and enemas nightly. Maybe four or five months from now I'll taper, but every time I try to do it, say after three weeks, I flare. I seem to need some form of mesalamine (besides orals) every 24 hours.

I've treated and tapered to maintain for over 22 years.

If you're on every second night now and have been doing well...go to every third for just as long.

If all is good, you can try the twice a week such as every sunday/Thursday.

I just stick with every third night...but on occasionally I miss a night so it ends up being a fourth night. Screws up my calendar..I write it all down first. But, alas, I have white-out..lol.

q

Thanks for all the replies so far. I really would love to hear more about this topic. Call it a bit of an informal research project : )

I've just updated my sig. I have dropped 1 mezavant since April 1st, and have been doing the enemas twice a week for almost a month now.... no problems with either process of lowering meds. Symptom free for 3 months now (thank goodness!) Back to 2 normal BM's each AM.

I guess my dilemma is that I was the one that had to ask for the enemas from my GI in the first place. He will write me the script if I ask for it but he doesn't typically recommend them. He doesn't find them user friendly and would rather have his patients just doing oral. So right now he is saying I can drop them. From following this forum for a few years now I know they are a great tool and they definitely helped me achieve this new remission. So I'm trying to get a sense of how many people use them for maintenance and not just for treatment when there is a problem.

I do not use mesalamine enemas for maintenance when not flaring. Have not used them for 5 or more months IIRC. I will use them when I see blood or have D and have not had those symptoms in a long time. They were a great help when needed in the past, everyone should try them out.

When there are glimmers of irregularity I correct my diet (yes I go off-list sometimes) and things snap back without need for enemas. However, when going on vacation I will bring 5 enemas for peace of mind.

If it works why change it ? Tell your doc you want to remain taking them. On your own try to taper them down to once a week or none but if you get symptoms when just go back to what your doing now.