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Mesalamine Enema Question

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 12/4/2012 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
I've had UC since 2004. My UC tends to skip around my colon, presently in the Left-Side. I have blood with pretty much every BM, and go 3-4x/day. I've taken pretty much everything and have decided I'm going to live with the symptoms as long as I can before I go back on Pred again.

The doc recently put my on Mesalamine enemas (switch from Canasa suppositories). I get HORRIBLE stomach cramps that keep me up for hours, and it stops me up for 4 or 5 days. Anyone else experience anything like this??
Posted 12/4/2012 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
I get cramps right away after administering, some deep breathing helps. then like clockwork at 10 minutes in... more cramps... more deep breathing- after that things settle down for the night.

they don't back me up though... if anything make me go more in AM cause added liquid content.

How long have you been using nightly? are you able to keep it in?
Posted 12/4/2012 2:53 AM (GMT 0)
I am able to keep them in...although I don't have a BM for 4-5 days later. So....I usually only use them when the cramps are so bad I can't manage anymore. Although the cramps from the UC are just as bad as the cramps from the Mesalamine.

Is that normal for the Meslamine to make it go from bloody D to nothing for 4-5 days??
Posted 12/4/2012 3:00 AM (GMT 0)
I just started on the safofalk enemas as well, and I know what your tallking about. It almost seems like its making things worst.

canadagal is right, you really have to take your mind off of it. I like to to get into a good book, tv doesnt cut it as my mind will wonder back to my tummy.

For me, i think its the delivery of the medicine more than the medicine itself that upsets my bowel. There is a lot of pressure coming out of that can. I've actually tried using a different enema applicator from my colifoam kit, that way i can control the pressure of the injection at my own pace. This has worked for me the last couple nights.

The literature with the salofalk says that this is kind of expected, and should subside in time as the medicine goes to work.

Good luck!
Posted 12/4/2012 3:16 AM (GMT 0)
Eternally- I think you should use them nightly for them to work properly. Is it liquid or foam?

bssharpie - I assume you are using a foam perhaps? you mention a can. My salofalk mesalamine retention enemas are liquid in a squeezable accordion style bottle.

Yes my colon/rectum reacts more so to the having something foreign put into it rather than to the med itself and it is definitely more campy/uncomfortable while flaring badly.
Posted 12/4/2012 3:20 AM (GMT 0)
ah ok...

yes i'm using the foam, and its like shooting a can of fix-a-flat up there.

Best thing to do is stick with it and go slow. I like to do mine about 9:30 at night, then hang out, read, etc until the "issues" subside enough to lie down and try to sleep..usually about 11:30 or so. I find if i do the enema right before bedtime it is a lost cause.

Would also suggest doing it well after eating diner, just so that everything is kind of stabilised down there prior to the enema.
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