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Steroid vs 5-ASA Enema

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/18/2008 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there,

Can someone please tell me which enema is more effective in healing the end of the colon, steroid or 5-ASA?

My Gi tells me most of the damage in my colon is at the end, so I suppose enemas are the way to go...

What about Butyrate Enemas, has anybody tried them?

G
Posted 1/18/2008 6:48 PM (GMT 0)

Hello,

I also have proctitis, and my GI started me on 5 ASA enemas first before she wanted to try steroid ones.  Lucky me the 5 ASA have been working.  I had been bleeding for almost 6 months, and saw an immediate improvement with them :)  I would much rather be treated with those than steroids if at all possible...I'm also on 8 Salofalk (5ASA) tablets/day too for maintenance. 

Hope that helped :)

Paula

Posted 1/18/2008 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
5ASA retention enemas are the way to go firstly.....but if you can't use them because of intolerance, the steroid enemas would be next.

I'm biased since they've worked for 19 years (as well as with the Asacol).

All UCers have rectal inflammation ( no matter how much is involved)...rectal meds are a must regardless....

quincy

Posted 1/18/2008 9:45 PM (GMT 0)
My doctor has never discussed enema's with me what are they self-admistered? What is the process? Is there alot of discomfort?
Posted 1/18/2008 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
Disco, yes the enemas are self administered usually at night. Discomfort depends on several factors - how inflammed you are, if you accidently get air because you didn't squeeze it out before inserting, a cold enema can cause cramping. How they are administered is found on the box. I too believe that regardless of where your inflammation is - rectal or thru out - that enemas can help clear up symptoms and least offer some relief.
Posted 1/19/2008 2:13 AM (GMT 0)
I have been on 8 Salofalk pills a day plus a Salofalk enema and they have helped but I still need more improvement. Just today after my sigmoidoscopy my doc has now put me on steroid enemas... so hopefully they will help with my urgency since that is my main problem..

Posted 1/19/2008 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
I have a hard time with enemas, but I use Canasa suppositories as needed between my Remicade treatments. Canasa is a 5-ASA drug. It works good for me.

Posted 1/22/2008 5:41 AM (GMT 0)
Steroid retention enemas are the way to go if you have a lot of friable tissue in the sigmoid colon & rectum. They can also heal the descending colon thru systemic (rather than topical) effect, but this can take a couple months or more. The mesalamine retention enemas are slower-acting than the steroids, but they can get you to remission in a month or 2 if you have mild to moderate inflammation in proctosigmoid areas. These are the liquid enemas; there is also a 10% steroid rectal foam (Cortifoam in U.S.) that can speed healing in the rectum. Alas, the U.S. & Canada do not yet have the mesalamine rectal foam that has been available for some time in Australia, the U.K. & Europe. The key to using these meds successfully: diligence + patience. / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC; currently on 3 Colazal daily for maintenance of remission)
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