HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Colocort enemas

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 7/23/2008 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
I was wondering if anyone has had experience with these enemas.  I am currently almost through a 2 week course.  ASA meds make me worse off, and since pred was the usual savior.  The question I have is how much of the enema is absorbed by the body?  I feel like I am experiencing the same side effects of the oral Pred....yes I do feel they are helping, but I am wondering about the side effects and if I am just really back on pred again even though in enema form.  I was down to 2mg Pred and tapering when I started this and relatively stable...some good days and a few bad ones, but definately tollerable.  If I stop using these abruptly I am concerned I will crash like coming off of Pred without tapering.
Posted 7/23/2008 3:37 PM (GMT 0)
With enemas it's always best to taper no matter what the docs say. Especially with any sort of steroid based med. I have been on and off Colocorts for 2 years - 1 year of almost constant use. Yes they can cause steroid type side effects but not nearly as strong as the oral. Only about 5-8mgs of steroid actually enters your bloodstream. Though I think that if you already have steroid in your body that it may make the side effects show up quicker. I know that was the case with me. After going off them and a month or so goes by and I have to start them up again, it's like I never stopped. The side effects hit me full force within a few days of starting them again.

Btw, welcome to Healingwell! :)
Posted 7/23/2008 8:20 PM (GMT 0)
I have used colocort for years on and off. Yes, you can get pred side effects, but much less is absorbed by the body. I agree with Sherry to taper off. I also don't listen to my doctor and use them for shorter periods of time than suggested, but tapering off when I do. I have also found that when in remission, if I have any symptoms at all, I can use an enema once a week for a while and the symptoms go away. I am hesitant to suggest ignoring doctor's instructions, but I know what works for me.

And - welcome to HealingWell.

M
Posted 7/24/2008 1:35 AM (GMT 0)
Definitely taper them for sure. I've never really noticed any side effects from them, just from the oral pred.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply