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Rowasa (mesalamine) Enema Question?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/18/2012 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
I haven't been here in a while and ya'll have been very helpful in the past.

My meds have changed. I'm back on Asacol and have been prescribed Rowasa enemas to use daily. My pharmacy gave me the generic and my Doc said that was okay. Problem is, I'm very bloated and constipated when I use the enema. I felt great when I was only on Asacol for a few days while the pharmacy was ordering the enemas.

My symptoms are that I have several D's only in the morning, urgency, no blood since DX, and I've put on 20 lbs since I'd lost 12 lbs from my flare over a year ago.

I'm thinking to only do the enemas on the weekend to get my body used to them. I'm having a terrible time at work with the tummy rumbles and being scared about where I'm going to go if I have too. I just want to feel good again, too much to ask with this disease?? If I may add, tummy rumbles during the day vs. waking up all night and being frantic all day, due to a flare...I'll take today!

Thanks for any advise!
Posted 5/18/2012 12:45 PM (GMT 0)
Make sure you squeeze the excess air out of them. That helps alot. They do help with the urgency issues too. Maybe only try half of the enema and see if thats better for you?
Posted 5/18/2012 1:03 PM (GMT 0)
I use Rowasa enemas and I find I have way more gas and rumbly noise in my belly. The gas has really bloated out my belly but I deal with it because I find these enemas really work. I do squeeze the excess air out of them but I still get the gas.
Posted 5/18/2012 1:45 PM (GMT 0)
you could be sensitive to the sulfate in the generic Rowasa suspension. but the sulfate-free is very expensive.
Posted 5/24/2012 7:13 AM (GMT 0)
I was on Rowasa enemas everyday for a couple of months, and I also found them to be uncomfortable. I agree with what others have said about squeezing all the air out first. What time of day are you using them? I would use them at night, right at bedtime. It helped the medicine stay in longer...which my GI doc at the time really wanted. I would have to get up sometime a few hours after I went to bed to go to the bathroom, but during that time I was doing that every night anyway

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21-year-old female, diagnosed with UC April 2011

Lialda 4.8 g/day (since May 2011)
Azathioprine 150 mg/day (since October 2011)
Asacol 3.2 g/day
Prednisone 80 mg/day
Rowasa
Supplements: Cod liver oil, turmeric, aloe vera, probiotics
Posted 5/25/2012 1:50 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you! I'll try squeezing the air out. I didn't even think about that! I haven't used them in over a week now. This weekend...

Question? What does it do? I've read here that you tackle it from both ends, but I didn't notice a difference in anything other than I was in pain and couldn't go. I'm not in a flare, so why should I do this??

Funny thing, I had an iffy day today and I took a dycyclomine (sp?) and my tummy issues were gone all day. So, I thought maybe I should try that with the enemas and maybe it will help.

Thanks again! :)
Posted 5/25/2012 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
If the enemas are not helping you, don't use them. I have found them very helpful and often retain them throughout the night when taken at bedtime.
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