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Salofalk Enemas... Questions

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 12/14/2012 4:51 PM (GMT 0)

Hey All,

 

Been a little while since my last post and I just had a few questions for yall about the Salofalk enemas I have been on since Oct. First question is how long do ppl usually take the enema nightly?? They seem to be working very slowly, in the fact that my frequency has decreased both in the day and at night; however I still have a lot of gas and a lot of times when I go its just one long fart and some mucus... is this normal for healing? Or possibly something else?

 

My next question is in regards to the SCD diet... I was on it for approx 70 days, I had some progress in the beginning but never seen the results of others that I have read. any other experience this as well??

Food does not seem to overly effect me as long as I eat healthy(ish)... I never seem to be able to find a pattern to why one night (mostly)/day will be bad vs. others that are better?? Any thoughts?

 

As of right now I feel ok and feel as if I am getting better but this disease always has me second guessing. Any thoughts comments etc are always welcome and thanks in advance. You all (and my wife) have been a rock for me in this ever changing battle :)

 

Posted 12/14/2012 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
The enemas do not work quickly, that is true. I think you can be encouraged that the urgency and frequency is less. Gas and mucous are symptoms of inflammation, though, so don't stop using the enemas.

My opinion of dietary solutions is that they are not universally applicable. There are many SCDers here though who could undoubtedly answer questions about legal vs. cheat foods and what the impact might be.
Posted 12/14/2012 8:21 PM (GMT 0)
Gas and mucous are the first little things to start bothering me that makes me increase my meds and of course they are the last things to leave if you've flared. Keep doing those nightly enemas!
Posted 12/15/2012 7:50 AM (GMT 0)
You've been on the enemas nightly for a month and a half. Not a long time by any means.

You've improved immensely it seems.

The gas ..more than likely from inflammation depending on where the inflammation is limited to at this point. Especially if you have more formed stools.

If you have gas with only mucus, it's definitely inflammation...but probably more limited in the rectum.

how often are you going now and what's the consistency of the stool?

The gas could also be from food intake.

The gas could also (in part) be from the digestive enzymes or probiotics depending on when you take them.

So, when do you get the gas?

I would continue the enemas at least till the end of the month.

Curious why you take the oral salofalk 4x daily?

Just want to pass on what my doc said to me a LOT the first 2 years....PATIENCE!  wink
q

Posted 12/18/2012 6:44 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Quincy,

Sorry for delayed response...holidays :)

i am going to the bathroom mostly through the night and the consitiency is really really soft serve icecream most times to looser others. Most of the times during the day i will go but mostly gas and muscus come out.

i take my digestive enzymes with everymeal and my probitoics morning and night (could this be why so bad then?)

As for the salofalk, i was originally told to take them this way... could this be a factor as well?

Posted 12/19/2012 8:01 PM (GMT 0)
first suggestion...stop the digestive enzymes.

Second suggestion....start on fibre supplements.

Third suggestion...see if a higher amount of Salofalk oral with each dosage will help even 3x daily.

What's the probiotic and see if taking it at bedtime can help.


q
Posted 12/19/2012 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
Perfect :)

i will give all a try! only question is why stop the digestive enzymes and do you mean fibre supplements as in Benefibre?

Also with the oral salofalk, i was thinking of switching ( just for simplicity) to 3 pills in am, 2 at lunch and 3 at bedtime... still getting the 8 pills just different spread. Is this what you ment?

ill check on the name... it from my naturopath... and i take in the am and at bedtime.

thanks

Posted 12/20/2012 8:21 AM (GMT 0)
Digestive enzymes can cause looser stool, so that's why the suggestion. you might not even need them.

The fibre supplement I use is Metamucil capsules. I've never used Benefibre..it's inulin, which is also touted to produce butyrate acid to help heal and maintain the integrity of the mucosal layer of the digestive tract.

I found this on the dosage...
12 yrs. to adult

1-2 rounded tsp

3 times daily (for a total of 9 - 18 grams of Dietary Fibre per day

-----
I would take it with meals so that it acts like food. and start slowly...unless you're already taking it?

yes, how you explained the dosaging is what I meant. I wouldn't be able to do a 3x daily unless it was antibiotic for short term. My functioning schedule doesn't work to maintain a 3x anything..lol.
I'm sure they can be done 2x daily as well...but it's trial and error. Some might have better success, others possibly not.

The probiotics you're using...can you take more than one?

Keep me posted for sure!

q
Posted 12/20/2012 12:08 PM (GMT 0)
I didnt know that about the enzymes causing looser stools!! i will try stopping them for a while and gauge the reaction. I started taking them while on the SCD really strict and was nervous to stop :)

I am not using any fibre supplements cause again i was nervous to make things worse... i have Benefibre in the house for my wife so i may give that a try and see if i notice any difference, and maybe give Metamucil a try once gone. Thanks for the dosage info!!

Yeah taking the pills at so many times daily can be hard for me as well and i sometimes miss a dose which is why i was considering switching it up! i'm gonna give it a try and if goes well maybe switch to the 2x daily ( that would be nice ).

With the probiotics i take 3 pills morning and night and each are said to have 20 billion per pill... they are also entericly (sp?) coated to make it farther. I have been thinking of asking the doctor for a script for VSL# DS. Any thoughts?

I appreciate all your help and will keep you posted :) Happy Hoildays

Posted 12/20/2012 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
If it's any consolation, and on the meds you are on...I'd ONLY take them twice a day. For some who are sensitive to higher dosages of mesalamine at the same time (such as Lialda), I would suggest to split the dosage. for some it's better, for some no change.

Always worth working in options of dosage times.
Example...I take Effexor at night. It recommends only during the day. I have less nausea that way and am more up during the day. Weirdness, but I don't care.
The only time I'd have to be stringent is with antibiotics or meds that specify having to be before eating, etc.

I haven't tried VSL#3 DS or would ever use a powder daily except for once in a while. It's up to you to try...many have huge success with it, others don't. Again...maybe the pills would be better for you because they don't have other stuff in them to flavour, fill, etc. I prefer enteric and take them at bedtime only. Preference based on that I believe they work better on an empty upper gastro tract...with less gut discomfort.
Again, preference and ease of taking them.

If you start with the benefibre, take it with your meals to work with the food. If you start the metamucil...again, I'd prefer to take capsules because they're easy to carry and have no extra fillers, etc. Plus I don't drink anything except water or coffee/tea...no sweet drinks or juice. If you do, that's a good option...just DO NOT get the one that's sugar-free, and read the labels. They sometimes get them in there even though they don't state it on the front.

Hope something works for you. I appreciate the updates!

q
Posted 12/21/2012 1:14 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Quincy,

I have a bit of time off for the holidays and am gonna try playing around with this stuff while Iam off to avoid any issues with work :)

Have a good Holidays and i will update again shortly :)

 

Posted 12/21/2012 6:51 PM (GMT 0)
You too!!! Hope the time off allows you a bit of a mental break as well as success with some of the options.

Looking forward to hearing how you're doing.
q
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