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how good is these "enemas" Im hearing about??

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/28/2007 2:55 PM (GMT 0)
Im currently experiencing a flare up  and Im dying to get it under control...Im taking Colazal 3 caps three times a day, which is questionable if it is working.  Im also  taking prednisone (With about 1 week left on it).   Im very curious about the enemas I've seen people talking about on this board.  Are they better than the suppositories??  I have a appt. with my GI doc tomorrow and I wanna try something else besides Imuran..Any suggestions??  AS ALWAYS THANKS!!!
Posted 10/28/2007 3:01 PM (GMT 0)
If you are referring to mesalamine enemas, then yes, they are far better than the suppositories (Canasa or similar). They deliver more medicine and I found the suppositories to have a gross greay residue because they are made with vegetable fat or something.
There is also Cortifoam which I have so far tolerated well and it has helped (on it one month now.) Definitely press your doc for more options. One thing I am learning in this process is that doctors don't always have all the answers, and a little research on your part can go a long way. Pretty disappointing, actually, but there it is.
Posted 10/28/2007 3:04 PM (GMT 0)
Try Rowasa!  It works wonders for me and many others. It's a little tricky to use though. Squeeze the air out of the bottle before using it. Directly after using it, you might feel like it's going to come right back out, but the feeling only lasts for about 2 minutes.  Good Luck!!! yeah
Posted 10/28/2007 3:04 PM (GMT 0)
Aint that the truth about docs not having all the answers!!   Is what you are talking about expensive??   and thanks for your response!

Posted 10/28/2007 4:31 PM (GMT 0)
If you have insurance, the enemas shouldn't be too expensive. For a 2-week supply of mesalamine enemas, I have to pay a $10 co-pay. That's the generic form of Rowasa. I guess it would depend on your insurance though. The enemas will reach higher into the colon than the suppositories, so if you have inflammation higher up than just the rectum, they may work better for you.
Posted 10/28/2007 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
LSU, are you in the US?
If so, you could ask about these specific rectal meds:
Rowasa
Cortifoam
Cortenema

Rowasa you can use indefinitely as a maintenance drug since it doesn't have steroids in it. The other two are best for flares and then you taper off. You can see from other posts that I credit Cortifoam with getting my flares under control before they get serious. I use it for just a couple weeks and then I'm usualy perfectly fine again.

Maybe you can get prescriptions for both so that you can see which works best for you.

The trick that Gaff mentioned about using Rowasa is very important! :)
Also, I tried to warm up the container first because it always felt cold. Brrr.
Posted 10/28/2007 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
Yes - Definitely get the air out first! Why do they package it with so much air in it? And also beware that the liquid can stain carpet and sheets, so clean up with water right away if it spills on the floor. The generic brand I have is made by a company called TEVA, and it seems easier to squeeze all the medicine out than other brands.
The cash price for these, even the generic, I think is very high - 300 to 400 US dollars for 28 or so I believe.
Posted 10/28/2007 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
They work...I've used them for treatment and tapered to maintenance for over 18 years. It's a commitment.....It can work.

I would suggest 5ASA enemas such as Rowasa firstly before going to the steroid ones. If you can use them...that's the best intro med regimen for long-term use.

As I said it's a commitment. You'll learn how to use them effectively according to your body symptoms. It took me 2 years to get it all figured out.

The bottom line is not to have unrealistic expectations. Of the "Tortoise and the Hare" scenario...It's the tortoise.

quincy
Posted 10/28/2007 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
Re: prices for Rowasa enemas

I think you can get them cheaper in Canada. I just saw one site where brand Rowasa enemas were $8.36 a piece. Still expensive but under $300 for a month. I don't know the legal issues about bringing Canadian drugs into the US. Fortunately (though after much aggravation) I still have health insurance.

I just threw away a bunch of expired cortifoam canisters. It really bothered me to do it because I knew they were probably still OK but I have a ton of it. My guess is that there's no way to donate meds because it's too problematic. I once had just filled a 3-month prescription for Colazol and then my doctor switched me to another drug. It kills me to throw away stuff that costs me $40 and costs someone else $400. Ridiculous!
Posted 10/29/2007 4:01 AM (GMT 0)
Personally I'm a fan of cortifoam (steroid enema)


:)
Posted 10/29/2007 4:06 AM (GMT 0)
trial and error...if one doesn't work, there are options at least. Better to try than never.

q
Posted 10/29/2007 3:22 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks yall    I have my GI appt today  I will discuss some of these options with him!  yeah
Posted 10/29/2007 8:32 PM (GMT 0)
I know it sounds scary, but Imuran has been a godsend for me, so don't be entirely turned off by it. It just takes a few months to start working.
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