mesalamine enemas--I don't want to do them

Over the past month I have had blood in my stool only on Saturday mornings. My stools have been loose for the past month as well. The blood was concerning so I made an appointment with a gastroenterologist. She did an exam and found redness and inflammation in my rectum and had me make an appointment for a colonoscopy.

I had the colonoscopy yesterday and the doctor reported inflammation only in my rectum. She said it was just at the end. I don't remember how many inches, as she came to talk to me just as I was coming out of anesthesia. Right now the only diagnosis is proctitis. She told me she took some biopsies and we'll have the results in a week or two. She prescribed mesalamine enemas.

I did some research when I got home and saw that you have to lay on your side for 30 minutes after giving yourself the enema, then have to hold it in for at least 8 hours. I honestly don't have 30 minutes a night to lay on the floor. I have a child and by the time I get him ready for bed and prepare for the next day I don't have much time at all before bed. I am a teacher and use that small amount of time to grade, prepare lessons or prep materials.

It also says that it is best to do the enema after a BM. I never have a BM at night. I only go once in the morning after I have a cup of coffee. So would it even be effective?

Since my symptoms aren't really bothering me and I only made an appointment due to the weekly bloody stool, am I being ignorant if I ask for a different treatment? Even a suppository would be better. I know the doctor wanted to avoid oral medication because she'd rather treat it locally than systemically, but the enemas are a big deal for me.

I don't want to do something that will compromise my health, but there have to be other options?

Does anyone have experience with this? And if enemas are the only way to go--any tips for how to make them easier and less of an interruption to your life? I have to admit that I'm scared to do them. How do you avoid the medicine leaking out of you?

If you're a side sleeper you can do that, I used to. Just do the enema and then go to sleep laying on your left side. You'll be good to go.

imo, mesalazine enemas are the greatest life safer that has ever been invented for uc. I, for example, have never tolerated suppositories.

I called the doctor today and asked for the suppository form, but they said no because it won't reach up high enough. They want me to do an enema every night for a month.

AmyAzz said...
I was horrified about having to do this when I was diagnosed a month ago, but they really aren't bad at all! - more annoying than anything else. I did the first one on the bathroom floor because I was so worried about it leaking, or having to use the bathroom right away, but I had no problems and was doing it in bed after that night.

The whole idea of holding all that liquid in really freaked me out, but I could barely feel it. When I was brave enough, I even got up and walked around a bit and no problems. Just give it a try! :)

That's good to hear, but I don't think my husband will be OK with me doing it in bed so I'll be doing it in the bathroom. :) I'm really freaked out about doing the first one tonight. I haven't even had a BM since my colonoscopy yesterday so I'm worried I will need to evacuate right away. Is KY an OK lube? It's all I have at home.

Hi I have been using the enema's for quite a while. I always pop one in lying in bed on my left side just before going to sleep. My husband is not always aware I'm putting it in. I lie on an old muslin to catch any drips. I get a feeling for maybe 10 sec that I need to go but then it passes. I have never been told you have to use it after a bm,and have never done so.
I know it's not the sexiest of things to do before going to bed, but hey it works and for me that's the important bit. Just think how great it is when you are better and can taper them off. Good luck.

Glad to hear. They're quick and effective medications so I hope you soon see relief from your uc symptoms. Everyone is a little anxious before starting enemas, myself included.

smallyfry11 said...
Thanks all. I did my first last night and it wasn't as bad as I was anticipating.

awesome job fry !

using enemas was so enjoyable, i actually gave up fishing to devote more time them

ya, they're not that bad and once you've experienced the benefit, it gets even easier -

Cortenema and Rowasa for 30 plus years,just about only thing that works quickly with me.Like you my inflamation is lower area by rectum.Very easy to take,if your flaring Cortenema is stronger,might take 7 straight nights to get back to normal,everyone different as far as how many days in a row u have to take it-good luck

There not that difficult,no floor needed-bed works fine

quincy said...
Smallfry...how are the enemas going?

q

The first night was actually the best night. The last few I've had some leakage while I'm administering it. Maybe I'm going too fast or the positioning isn't quite right? It's not a ton, but enough to make me not want to do them in bed yet.

to add, i just got prescribed canasa, i used the proctofoam 3 years back but i was in too much of a flare to give it a fair chance, with canasa and others, does the mucus tend to go away pretty quick after inflammation goes down?

"does the mucus tend to go away pretty quick after inflammation goes down?"

There's no magic answer on the exact date/time when you'll stop seeing mucus.

Mucus is one of the least concerning UC symptoms (blood, urgency, increased frequency, and diarrhea are many times worse). Mucus is shed from the lining of your intestinal walls when your intestine's surface is irritated. Generally, there should be lesser amounts of mucus seen and less frequent appearance of mucus as you heal. Although I'd occasionally see mucus even when my UC was in remission, so it can be seen occasionally without great concern. Sometimes we can even have IBS symptoms that also cause mucus, independent of inflammation on an ongoing basis.