Use of rectal enemas

Have been in process of using mesalamine enemas - my doctor prescribed these for me 2x a week - based upon the fact that I still have recurring blood and mucous (essentially just when i wipe - also not having any "urgency" and BM's are otherwise normally formed/recurring) occasionally it would seem I should be doing these daily.

I need to schedule an appointment with my doctor for an annual checkup and to discuss this.  That said, I value the input of everyone on this forum as much as I do his (sad but true). 

Do most UC sufferers who use the rectal meds use these just to snap out of a flare, or are they used consistently on a go-forward basis, like other meds.   I have always taken Colozal since I was diagnosed a few years ago, and originally thought the rectal meds were a short term thing, now I'm wondering if it will just become a daily routine like everything else?

As always, appreciate everyone thoughts!  Thanks.

I am essentially down to 2-3 BM's a day, on a normal routine. I have been having some occasional cramping/stomach pain recently, although I should note that my wife and 2 young children have been having the same issue so there may also be some "bug" going through our household (didn't really have this at all until the last couple of weeks).

My BM's are formed and really appear normal. The only thing that I am seeing that is not normal is blood and mucous when I wipe. Not to be overly graphic but 2-3 wipes and its gone. Sometimes its just a tinge, other times there is more. But I am not really seeing blood/mucous coming out in excessive amounts.

For awhile I thought maybe I had a hemrhoid or a fissure, but I generally see less blood and mucous (if any at all) after 1-2 days of using the rectal enemas.

At this point, my doctor has only prescribed me for 2x a week, so if I go to daily as I think I probably should, I need him to up the prescription.

I used the rectal enemas 3x/week for years. And then my rectal symptoms got so mild that I forgot to use the enemas more than I remembered, and eventually I just stopped using the enemas. If I ever saw a spot of mucous or blood I'd be right back into the enemas, but for whatever reason I haven't needed it in a couple of years.

The enemas should be used nightly until you're levelled out...meaning without symptoms.

It won't snap you out of a flare, it will treat the lower part of the colon and rectum...takes time, but improvement can be recognised fairly quickly.

A doctor shouldn't start you on twice nightly enemas. Get the prescription to always read nightly...whether you're tapering to maintenance or on maintenance.

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Quincy - your comments really make me question the credibility of my doctor. I have pondered looking for a new one, but am concerned about the time and effort it may take to make the switch (not sure if a new doctor would want to do more invasive procedures (i.e a scope) just to get a better understanding of the extent of my disease, etc.)

I will start by requesting the prescription for the rectal meds daily. I have gotten very used to them to where it really isn't much of a burden, and I can tell that they do help.

If it wasn't for this lingering blood/mucous, I would be without any real symptoms at all. That is the part that is frustrating. I also do not understand how there is rarely any blood on the the BM itself, its only when I wipe. Just would have seemed that if the problems were in the rectal area, it would be more noticeable and significant.

No, I'm not positive.  But would there be much mucous with a fissure or hemmie?  The blood is usually never present the day after I've used the enemas, but comes back the day or two afterwards.  I don't have pain with my BM's either.

Once in awhile I have urgency, but nothing excessive in that regard.

I realize I need to get my butt (no pun intended) into my GI doc but again, I'm really at the point where I somewhat question his judgment.

^^ last place to heal is the rectum, just to be more specific, and for some it never heals...definitely get on the Rowasa. Hope you feel better soon.
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