Hydrocortisone Enemas Making Things Worse

Hi All...

I haven't been on in a while because I was in remission for a little over a year. (First full year of remission since first being diagnosed 8 years ago with uc.)

I currently take Entyvio every 8 weeks and it was working so well. I've been through the gambit with ASA's with no avail. I've tried Humira & Simponi. Humira kinda worked for a while.

Since starting this flare I first started with 20mg of Prednisone hoping to not go super high. I was hoping to do a quick dose and then ween right away. Just enough to shock my immune system into chilling out. Well that didn't work. I always keep hydrocortisone enemas incase, and sure enough the 20mg of Pred wasn't enough so I went to 40mg while also using the hydrocortisone enemas at night. (Been 1 week on 40 mg of pred, 2 weeks on the enema's.)

This flare is so weird though because I seem to have formed stools but I think I have severe proctitis. It is extremely painful to have a bowel movement feeling like there is almost something blocking, but I am able to barely get it out. I'm having a terrible time keeping the enema's in at night. In fact I've been unable too. My UC is always worse in the morning but this time it seems like the enema's may be the culprit. Normally they help but don't seem to be this time. (I also have internal hemorrhid's) I see my GI doc in a couple days but I'm at a loss. It is so painful to have a bm. Could it be the enema's?

Ughh so frustrating! Hope the Humira works for you!!

Thank you so much. That is great insight.

I didn't think to try and increase bm's to avoid constipation. Will definitely give that a try!

I actually was able to withstand the enema much better last night. Mainly due to running the bottle under warm water first. It was much less of a shock to my system.

Thanks!

Yep, retention enemas need to be at body temperatue. When I was diagnosed in 1975 the job was given to a student nurse who didn't know. After 2 days of almost zero retention, one of the more experienced nurses showed her what to do and all was good. After 2 weeks in hospital and about 6 months OP treatment I went into full remission for 8 years.

Rectal meds don't work on me at all and they make me worse. They just create a lot of chemical and mechanical irritation that my inflamed rectum doesn't want. Other people have success. I can't even get a sigmoidoscopy during my flares because my rectum will get so inflamed it'll prolapse.

I envy people who can do rectal meds. They're not an option for me and I've tried many formats.

Hey guys, I'm in a similar situation here. Been on Pred for 3 weeks 40 mg, bleeding and mucus stopped so I started to drop the dose 20mg now. and I'm doing ok. But my hemorrhoids are out of control, massive, and the anus is inflamed. For one week now I've done Hydrocortisone suppositories at night and day, plus Hydrocortisone Acetate 2.5% + Pramoxine HCI 1% cream - but very little progress if any. Stools are getting formed but having to force them through an inflamed anus is making situation worse. doing sitz baths after every bowel movement too. this stuff used to work.
I will try to fiber intake, and fruits and few vegetables.
I will meet with dr. on Monday - I'm thinking to do some type of invasive procedure for hemorrhoids, I can't be "shoving" them back in after every bm ... this time they're as big as a plumb, fills the inner of my palm. Any suggestions opinions are welcomed! I've been barricaded in my home for over a week now.

oh it's so hard to control straining ... I do a good job at distracting myself, but it reaches the point the doo doo is there and not coming out.. thank you for the feedback.
FYI this morning I decided to try something new, manuka honey, i patted dry the hemorrhoids and layered it on them, and pushed them in :-| I'm gonna do this for a few days and see how it turns out. will keep you guys posted. I stopped used the creams today, I feel they not helping much or just very slow.

I use vaseline as a protective barrier, seems to help for me.

Hey Donnie,

Ahh Man.. terrible!

I stayed at 40 mg of pred until symptoms got a little better. It basically just locked everything up for me for a couple days and gave my butt some rest. At the same time continuing to use the hydro cortisone enemas at night and the Pramosone lotion 3 times a day for the hemorrhoids. I still have to be careful in the bathroom not to push to hard but its really difficult. (No phone in the bathroom.. I sit there longer than necessary.)

Good to hear!

Stay the course!!

Sounds ouchy, but hope it works as quickly as possible. Thanks for the update.