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Rowasa and cramping

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/2/2016 4:46 AM (GMT 0)
I have been prescribed rowasa in addition to my other mess to get me through a flare. I have only been able to retain it once so far. about 30 seconds after I administer it, I get the worst abdominal cramping to the point where I almost vomit and I also get very sweaty and weak feeling. I can't hold it in and have to go to the bathroom. Any tips for retaining it? I'll try anything. I can easily retain canasa.
Posted 4/2/2016 12:14 PM (GMT 0)
That is the worst. For starters, warm up the rowasa to Dady temperature but holding it under your arm or putting it in container of warm water. Also, make sure you are getting the excess air out of the bottle before you insert it. Then make sure you squeeze slowly. If you are flaring it will be harder to retain, but once inserted I watch tv or read a book and practice slow, deep breathing for a few minutes. I still get cramping sometimes when I use the rowasa but I can "breathe through them" now. Hang in there and if you are really having trouble, ask your doc for steroid enemas to start, they are much easier to retain.
Posted 4/2/2016 12:46 PM (GMT 0)
The sensation to evacuate can be strong for the first minute but if you get over that then it's easy. It takes practice. Below are some tips from our resources section.

Tips for using meslamine/rowasa enemas:
  • When you first start using enemas, use them in the bathroom very close to a toilet as they can come up very quick and unexpected. As you get better at them, and more confident, you can administer them in bed.
  • Add extra Vaseline (petroleum jelly) to the tip of the enema.
  • Warm the enema up to body temperature before administering. Put it in a pocket for a while before using, or warm it up under an armpit.
  • Squeeze all of the air out of the bottle before administering. You do not want to inject any air into your bowel as it will both be uncomfortable and make it likely you will need to urgently evacuate the enema fluid.
  • Lay an old towel down as any drips of the enema fluid can stain clothing, carpet, etc.
  • Use one of the positions described in the instructions.
  • Administer the enema slowly, too quickly and you will be less successful. If you wish, you can do one half the bottle first, wait a few minutes, and then administer the rest.
  • Stay reclined on your left side for about 20 minutes to allow the enema fluid to be absorbed. Retire for the night.
  • It takes practice to hold the enema in for 7 hours. Do not get discouraged, and keep trying. Even if you evacuate part of the enema, some will likely remain and heal you. As you heal, it will be easier to retain them for longer lengths of time.
Posted 4/3/2016 4:29 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the tips, I'm going to give it another shot tonight!
Posted 4/3/2016 5:06 AM (GMT 0)
Your cramping, nausea and sweating could indicate your level of inflammation or it's a vagal reaction to the enema. Maybe consider administering only half of it? Even a few minutes is better than nothing and you'll eventually be able to retain it longer. Deep breathing is really helpful for the cramping but I know from experience sometimes it's just too overwhelming and you have to go.
Posted 4/3/2016 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
The tips mom and ipoop gave were my best chance of surviving the discomfort. With all of the tricks in the book, you will still have discomfort if you're inflamed. I have had inflammation so bad that I couldn't retain a suppository. A suppository is considerably easier to retain. If I can't retain that, what is the likelihood that I would be able to retain a 4g enema? So, I would do the following, either use cortifoam (much less to retain) or use half the 4g enema, expel it if I couldn't retain it, use the other half - sometimes + a supp.

The other thing is deep breathing. Lay down on your left side and breath deep. Be aware it's going to pass if you can survive the minute or two of discomfort. If all else fails, do the things I said above; half, supp, foam smilewinkgrin
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