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Enemas when not flaring?

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Posted 3/27/2014 11:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

Has anyone been prescribed/taking enemas when not in a flare?

Up until now I have been taking suppositories but I was informed by my GP today that my GI doctor had written to them informing them I am now to switch to enemas. I saw my GI doctor last month and although we discussed enemas I don't remember him saying I am to stop taking suppositories and replace them with enemas, I'm assuming I misheard him at some point.

Since I was diagnosed with UC last year and put on medication I haven't had a flare. I have the odd bad day but my UC is really quite mild. My main issue is the mornings, being that sometimes it can be about 3 hours from waking before I need to 'go', which can then result in me being late or cancelling plans. This is not every day though, as sometimes I wake up with urgency which for me is better! Once I've been in the morning I usually don't need to go again, if I do it's only about once or twice.

So my question is, do I need to take these enemas? Of course I am going to get in touch with my GI doctor to discuss this with him.. I just wondered whether anyone takes enemas when they are not flaring?
Posted 3/27/2014 11:47 AM (GMT 0)
Absolutely yes. The least frequently I've ever done them was every three nights and that was just for a little while. The vast majority of the time I do them at least every other night.

I know some do them twice a week while in remission. But I would definitely say still do them.
Posted 3/27/2014 11:50 AM (GMT 0)
yes dot, they are a maintenance treatment - the frequency of use will depend on need -

what other meds are you on ?
Posted 3/27/2014 12:13 PM (GMT 0)
I take 400mg mesalazine orally 9 times a day, and 500mg mesalazine suppositories once or twice a day depending, both Asacol. The tablets were reduced to 6 times a day because I was getting headaches but I've gradually gone back to 9 again.

The enemas which I will now be taking instead of suppositories are 'mesalazine 1g/100ml enema' (reading this off the prescription as I haven't picked them up yet) to be taken once at night.

Thanks so much for getting back to me, I have no idea why I always associated enemas merely with flare ups.
Posted 3/28/2014 3:47 AM (GMT 0)
I'm not sold completely on enemas when not flaring...for me at least.

Suppositories, yes, I have proctitis and that's hard to get rid of with oral meds.

Left sided colitis is easier to control with oral meds, which I am a big proponent of using always whether in flare or not.
Posted 3/28/2014 11:15 AM (GMT 0)

polkadotdress said...
I take 400mg mesalazine orally 9 times a day, and 500mg mesalazine suppositories once or twice a day depending, both Asacol. .

I thought 400mg Asacol was no longer available, and that Asacol HD, at 800mg, was all one could get with that brand name?
Posted 3/28/2014 12:30 PM (GMT 0)
Never heard of anyone taking meds nine times per day or six times per day. I'm not saying that is wrong but it is sure different than everyone else. Most patients wouldn't be able to do this. Usually you continue doing as maintenance something similar to what you did to get into remission so I'm kind of bewildered that you took suppositories to get into remission and now he wants to switch you to enemas. I would think the doc would want to stay with what has already worked.
Posted 3/28/2014 12:32 PM (GMT 0)

Scott Z said...
Left sided colitis is easier to control with oral meds, which I am a big proponent of using always whether in flare or not.

Are you saying left sided is easier to control with oral meds...than with enemas?

Not sure about your reasoning on that...?
Posted 3/29/2014 6:38 PM (GMT 0)
I am indeed on 400mg 9 times a day, this is what I have been on since I was diagnosed with UC in August 2013. I am in the UK incase that makes any difference in regards to the Asacol dosage?

I am confused too, he has mentioned before enemas when I've spoken about my issues going in the morning so I am assuming he thinks this will help? Hopefully I can get some answers when I speak to him this week!
Posted 3/30/2014 4:37 PM (GMT 0)
I think we are speaking of different things...I am speaking of remissions/lifetime use....I think after a reasonable amount of time you can go off the enemas if you're stable. If you consistently prove you cannot over the years (like I have with my proctitis and Canasa), then yes, its a necessity.

I see a ton of studies for lifetime use of oral meds, but never lifetime use of enemas (when in consistent remission).

I also have never seen taking pills 9 times a day!!!!! Maybe splitting them up twice a day yes.....that's nuts!
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