Rowasa

Have you tried any other 5asa meds besides Apriso? While it is effective for some people, it may be less effective than other mesalamine pills for some people because the dose is lower. You may want to try Asacol or Lialda just to see if there is a difference. I think you have to be patient with the enemas but I am also aware that not everyone responds to every treatment. When I was flared up moderately a year ago, the enemas did nothing for me.

My own experience with Rowasa is different than that of most people. I think enemas can be helpful, but Rowasa is no longer on my list of helpful meds.

When I had a significant proctitis flare a few months back, I had been using Rowasa every night for about 4 months with limited gains with respect to alleviating pain. I tried to continue Rowasa for a week but the pain was too severe. I requested and received a prescription for Canasa to use in lieu of Rowasa, and tried this new approach for a few weeks. Still, my symptoms remained unchanged. One night I woke up feeling worse than before I applied the Canasa and decided the Mesalamine route was doing me more harm than good. I decided to go 'cold turkey' and no longer use Mesalamine except orally.

In my personal situation, the symptoms of pain, mucus, etc. promptly improved once I stopped using Rowasa and Canasa. Such talk is heresy to many folks here, but sometimes we have to listen to what our body is telling us. If you are not having additional pain/symptoms from the enemas, you may want to continue them. Otherwise an alternative should be considered.

Good Luck.

Mr. Natural: Why heresy? It's pretty common knowledge around here that 5-ASAs don't work for everyone. Some people just don't respond to them at all, or sometimes even get worse.

If you think they aren't helping after 2-3 weeks or are making your UC worse, then give your GI a call before stopping the meds.

Hi quincy,
I had a baby 7 months ago so I slowly stopped using the enemas. I was only taking apriso. I really didn't have any warning that a flare was coming (that I know of). I just have blood in my stool no D. I'm going about 5-6ish times a day.... I've only had one scope and that was about 1 year and 8 months ago. My Uc was in my sigmoid. I'm sure I will be getting another scope soon.
I will continue with my enemas and ask for a different oral and a suppository too come Monday.
Thank you!!

Update:
Still flaring after 4 weeks of Rowasa. Dr. changed my oral meds to Asacol but I was having side pain and flu symptoms, so she changed it to lialda only 2 a day though?? I've improved a little bit but I'm still bleeding?
After 4 weeks of ENEMAS I feel like they are just not doing it.... Suggestions??

How about adding a steroid supp. Maybe the hydro enemas were overkill and a steroid supp will give you the boost you need. I take 2 Lialda/Rowasa nightly and when in a flare (like I am now) I add in the steroid supp in the a.m. after the majority of bm's are done. I try to slowly get back to Rowasa only when things calm down. Keep us posted.