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I am scared to use Mesalamine enema

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Posted 8/1/2014 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
I was just diagnosed this week and my doctor prescribed Mesalamine enemas. After reading about the side effects I am terrified to use them! Has anyone ever had a serious reaction to using these?

Also, may I take ibuprofen while using these?
Posted 8/1/2014 4:47 PM (GMT 0)
I do fine on them. Only a minority get a bad reaction and it's not life threatening. Give it a go, they really helps some people.

You should avoid Ibuprofens full stop if you have IBD, they seem to encourage bleeding
Posted 8/1/2014 4:50 PM (GMT 0)

London Lurker said...
I do fine on them. Only a minority get a bad reaction and it's not life threatening. Give it a go, they really helps some people.

You should avoid Ibuprofens full stop if you have IBD, they seem to encourage bleeding

OK. Thanks. I will start the meds because I want to get this under control. I hate that I can't take ibuprophen as it is the only thing that seems to help my sinus headaches, along with Sudafed and Benadryl.
Posted 8/1/2014 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
You should be scared. I'm not big on cramming d.ildos up my thang, either. It's a one way street.
Posted 8/1/2014 5:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

I use salofalk enemas every night, they are my best friend at the moment. Don't be scared. I have had no side effects from them.
I do them in bed laid on my left side and then don't get up until morning. If you feel you have an urge do them very slowly, maybe a bit at a time and the feeling will go.

Good luck!
Posted 8/1/2014 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
dude, way to support the noobie. thumbs down!

Jean123! I'm sorry you have gotten this diagnosis, but there are very few negative reactions to mesalamine enemas and your GI is doing great to prescribe them for you. This is the best, cheapest and safest way to treat your disease if it is limited to the rectum and sigmoid colon.

I'm sorry to say that you are going to have to find a different approach to your sinus headaches. You might even consider dropping the Sudafed, as this dries out mucous membranes all over your body and might be contributing in some way to your colitis. Many people find that using a nasal saline lavage like NeilMed will help keep their sinus passages clear. You might also consider using a sinus steroid spray like Nasonex, and/or an OTC antihistamine like cetirizine to keep your sinuses more clear.

I have recently developed migraines (I think this is a menopause thing) that feel a lot like sinus headaches. I started using imitrex and this has worked really well. If I'm not sure, I also take two Tylenol and a nice cup of black tea (for the caffeine) and this usually resolves my headaches.

Good luck!
Posted 8/1/2014 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
I was, I was! I was sharing his sentiment.
Posted 8/1/2014 5:04 PM (GMT 0)

Mad Martha said...
Hi

I use salofalk enemas every night, they are my best friend at the moment. Don't be scared. I have had no side effects from them.
I do them in bed laid on my left side and then don't get up until morning. If you feel you have an urge do them very slowly, maybe a bit at a time and the feeling will go.

Good luck!

Thanks for the help! I am going to start them tonight.
Posted 8/1/2014 5:08 PM (GMT 0)

kazbern said...
dude, way to support the noobie. thumbs down!

Jean123! I'm sorry you have gotten this diagnosis, but there are very few negative reactions to mesalamine enemas and your GI is doing great to prescribe them for you. This is the best, cheapest and safest way to treat your disease if it is limited to the rectum and sigmoid colon.

I'm sorry to say that you are going to have to find a different approach to your sinus headaches. You might even consider dropping the Sudafed, as this dries out mucous membranes all over your body and might be contributing in some way to your colitis. Many people find that using a nasal saline lavage like NeilMed will help keep their sinus passages clear. You might also consider using a sinus steroid spray like Nasonex, and/or an OTC antihistamine like cetirizine to keep your sinuses more clear.

I have recently developed migraines (I think this is a menopause thing) that feel a lot like sinus headaches. I started using imitrex and this has worked really well. If I'm not sure, I also take two Tylenol and a nice cup of black tea (for the caffeine) and this usually resolves my headaches.

Good luck!

Thank you! My insurance covered the Mesalamine completely so that was a blessing. I was afraid the Sudafed and Benadryl would need to go. I get a lot of sinus headaches and wondered if the meds I use contributed to the UC in the first place? I do have a script for nasonex so I will get that filled. I take generic Claritin daily already, it just doesn't seem to help much.
Posted 8/1/2014 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck! I know how terrifying it is to begin on enemas. Make sure you're relaxed and do it slowly to minimise the pain. I was one of the unlucky ones who developed side effects to mesalazine, but it's very rare, not life threatening, and as long as you keep a look out for any symptoms, it can easily caught and quickly treated. This is definitely your best option. Hope it goes well for you.
Posted 8/1/2014 5:51 PM (GMT 0)

malaika said...
Good luck! I know how terrifying it is to begin on enemas. Make sure you're relaxed and do it slowly to minimise the pain. I was one of the unlucky ones who developed side effects to mesalazine, but it's very rare, not life threatening, and as long as you keep a look out for any symptoms, it can easily caught and quickly treated. This is definitely your best option. Hope it goes well for you.

Thank you!
Posted 8/1/2014 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
and don't forget to lubricate everything well, no need to spend money on fancy lubricants, plain old spit does just fine
Posted 8/1/2014 5:55 PM (GMT 0)
And squeeze out the excess air first!
Do try the neilmed sinus rinse system. I was prone to sinus headaches from constant congestion but the sinus rinses helped a lot! Good luck!
Posted 8/1/2014 6:00 PM (GMT 0)

momto2boys said...
And squeeze out the excess air first!
Do try the neilmed sinus rinse system. I was prone to sinus headaches from constant congestion but the sinus rinses helped a lot! Good luck!

Thanks for the help!
Posted 8/1/2014 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
NO on ibuprophen EVER!!!

I've used mesalamine enemas for well over 25 years. No side effects except they work well to get me out of a flare and work well at maintenance level when I'm not flaring.

Scared of side effects....OK, I get it. Some have an extreme reaction to them and are obviously intolerant.

There are alternatives....but I'd not go there quite yet. Those possible side effects should scare you more, methinks..

Keep us posted how you do with your hopefully new best friend. Mine's for life, hopefully.

BTW, Dude's in idiot mode once again...but I've never seen a d-do the size of an enema nozzle. He thinks small.


q
Posted 8/1/2014 7:33 PM (GMT 0)

quincy said...
NO on ibuprophen EVER!!!

I've used mesalamine enemas for well over 25 years. No side effects except they work well to get me out of a flare and work well at maintenance level when I'm not flaring.

Scared of side effects....OK, I get it. Some have an extreme reaction to them and are obviously intolerant.

There are alternatives....but I'd not go there quite yet. Those possible side effects should scare you more, methinks..

Keep us posted how you do with your hopefully new best friend. Mine's for life, hopefully.

BTW, Dude's in idiot mode once again...but I've never seen a d-do the size of an enema nozzle. He thinks small.

q

Thanks for the encouragement smilewinkgrin
Posted 8/1/2014 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think Sudafed or Benadryl contribute to the UC, but ibuprofen sure can.

Hey, if Claritin isn't working for you, try the generic for zyrtec - cetirizine. It might work better.
Posted 8/1/2014 8:17 PM (GMT 0)

kazbern said...
I don't think Sudafed or Benadryl contribute to the UC, but ibuprofen sure can.

Hey, if Claritin isn't working for you, try the generic for zyrtec - cetirizine. It might work better.

I will look for the generic zyrtec too. I would like to find relief for my allergies!
Posted 8/1/2014 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
"BTW, Dude's in idiot mode once again...but I've never seen a d-do the size of an enema nozzle. He thinks small. "

Maybe he is small. lol
Posted 8/1/2014 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
agree with everyone - well except dumbdud !

enemas are a piece of cake - you just need a little practice -

caffeine and exercise are a couple things that help my sinus throbbers -

hope you find some relief soon !
Posted 8/1/2014 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
One piece of advice a friend gave me recently that has made enemas almost easier to take then oral meds: get a large syringe (40-60 ml) and use it to dispense the meds.
Posted 8/1/2014 8:44 PM (GMT 0)

soystud said...
agree with everyone - well except dumbdud !

enemas are a piece of cake - you just need a little practice -

caffeine and exercise are a couple things that help my sinus throbbers -

hope you find some relief soon !

I thought you were going to say give up caffeine! Ack! I love coffee... :-)
Posted 8/1/2014 8:45 PM (GMT 0)

Marauder93 said...
One piece of advice a friend gave me recently that has made enemas almost easier to take then oral meds: get a large syringe (40-60 ml) and use it to dispense the meds.

Can these be bought OTC?
Posted 8/1/2014 9:03 PM (GMT 0)

Jean123! said...

Marauder93 said...
One piece of advice a friend gave me recently that has made enemas almost easier to take then oral meds: get a large syringe (40-60 ml) and use it to dispense the meds.

Can these be bought OTC?

Absolutely. Your local pharmacy may have them, but if not you can easily get them on line. They range in price from about $5-11, but its well worth the price and you only need one of them.

Here is an example (its the first one I found on Amazon): http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Glide-Syringe-Sterile-Catheter/dp/B007S97UIG/ref=pd_sim_hpc_5?ie=UTF8&refRid=03BCGY6EH8NKFN1423KE
Posted 8/1/2014 9:13 PM (GMT 0)

Marauder93 said...

Jean123! said...

Marauder93 said...
One piece of advice a friend gave me recently that has made enemas almost easier to take then oral meds: get a large syringe (40-60 ml) and use it to dispense the meds.

Can these be bought OTC?

Absolutely. Your local pharmacy may have them, but if not you can easily get them on line. They range in price from about $5-11, but its well worth the price and you only need one of them.

Here is an example (its the first one I found on Amazon): http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Glide-Syringe-Sterile-Catheter/dp/B007S97UIG/ref=pd_sim_hpc_5?ie=UTF8&refRid=03BCGY6EH8NKFN1423KE

Thanks!
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