Stopping the Rowasa enemas????

Try every other day for awhile...you can use rowasa indefinetly.

Rowasa'shave been great for me...a real life saver.

They're supposed to be tapered properly..not to stop abruptly. Did your doc suggest that process or did you do it yourself?

You're kind of doing it a bit backwards....but eventually you'll see the value in doing the tapering more to one that will allow you to find your maintenance level.

I've used them for over 19 years....and will use them until I cannot any longer.

q

quincy, I don't think I'm doing it backwards, maybe the way I wrote it wasn't correct, so I'll explain better. I originally started doing them every night, then after a month or so, every other night, then went to every 3rd night, then every 4th night, got to the point where I was doing it once every 5th night. At this point I'm thinking " If I'm only doing them once every 5 nights, do I really still need this for maintenance or what"? I know I should be happy that I'm doing so well and I am very happy about that, after this last flare, I felt like I'd never be in remission again. Maybe I shouldn't change anything, but if it's one less med to do that maybe isn't necessary at this time, it's tempting to stop, ya know what I mean???? Don't think I'll ever stop my pills again.
Knitty _Cat, are you still doing a maintenace dose of these? If so, what maintenace dose works for you? Thanks everyone, your input is really appreciated. Isn't this just such a great site?

bbc, sorry about that, I guess I didn't do a very good job explaining it. 

Hi....yeah I thought you meant cut from nightly to every 5 nights...cut...not meaning tapered.

Yes, you did it how I would suggest....and you maybe should have continued to taper to one every 6 nights and then one a week. But I do understand your wanting to not take meds. Been there (long ago)

I think we all need to try out how we do without meds.....if you're not flaring with NO symptoms.....you might just be fine.

My suggestion.....try it.....but DO start back if you are noticing any constipation, excessive gas or upper gastro symptoms/pain..asap.
That would be the very first signs of low in the rectum inflammation.

I have tried it on occasion in the "early" years....but I'm intolerant of symptoms and when life happened with lots of stress my flares always presented. I started treating early and have found maintenance dosage was what my symptoms dictated.

I have, however, started the 2gram dosage of Salofalk....that's something you can consider to start at this time...as maintenance once a week, and maybe the 2gram will be enough to deal with your flares rather than the 4gram.

Keep us posted.

quincy

Hi Donna

I still do 2 enemas a week, no matter what. Thursday and Sunday nights! This has been working for me so well that I'm not intending to stop anytime soon. In fact, it works so well for me that I couldn't even be bothered to experiment and see if I could get away with one a week or whatever, I just love the results I'm getting with my current med regime. I'm doing pretty heavy triathlon training, travelling for work and for holidays, had a bad cold recently, yet my colon hasn't skipped a beat since I started the twice weekly enema routine. I use the Salofalk foam, which delivers a 2gm dose of 5ASA. When I do use the liquid enemas, I also use the 2gm ones.

The enemas get the drug to exactly where it is needed and where it can help. I think they are great for maintenance!

Hi...I didn't suggest half the enema....I meant to get a 'script for a 2 gram dosage...it's still the full amount of liquid, just half the dosage of the med. I don't think I'd keep a bottle for a week after using the nozzle up my rear....it could cause potential contamination of the remaining contents.



Knitty_Cat...wish we had the foam enemas here in North America....Salofalk only comes in liquid in Canada...tsk....I'd definitely prefer a foam.

quincy

I agree with the other folks. I was told by two GI dr's this past week-that you need to taper the enema's. my dtr. has been on them for over two months. they told her to do every other night for several weeks and then if she wants to stop them, it would be ok. everything that i have heard or read seems to indicate that it's beneficial to stay on them minimum one a week. makes sense. i am going to have her continue to do at least once/wk. why not? the ibs specialist in our area said that even one a week can keep you in remission. it sure beats steroids, 6mp and countless other serious medications.

The only way to know what is best for you is to try it. My doc suggests only taking them when I need them. So, if I ever feel well enough to stop them, I will. He thinks the more you take, the more your body will "get used to them".

I have been using half of the enemas for years now, and using the same tip for 6 months (I found a nice smooth one I can't replace, lol). It's really not a big deal as long as you are not sucking crap back up in it before you pull it out. They don't sit for a week like yours probably would though...... 2 days max usually.