HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Enemas vs Suppositories and GARBAGE

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 5/13/2009 1:42 AM (GMT 0)
I'm currently using Salofalk enemas and pills. I'm going to ask my bum doc about replacing the enemas with suppositories.
I think they would be more discreet and create LESS GARBAGE! However, would how could they possible be as far reaching?

Is anyone else grossed out about the amount of landfill created by all these plastic enema bottles? I understand it's about maintaing good health, but the enema every night creates a lot of garbage and packaging waste.

universe-girl
Posted 5/13/2009 1:53 AM (GMT 0)

I am the same way with all of the garbage. I have the blister packs from my pills and the casing from the suppositories. I am not only weird about the amount of garbage but I always worry someone is going to look in my trash and think, Omg what is wrong with this person. If I go to someones house I put my garbage in a plastic bag and take it home to throw out.

The suppositories do not reach as far up. They may not be as successful at treating your inflammation. I wouldn't worry to much about the amount of waste, it is necessary for you to stay healthy. To put things in perspective, there are people who create a lot more waste than you I am sure.

Posted 5/13/2009 1:55 AM (GMT 0)
personally, I have no problem creating the garbage....I need the medication and prefer the liquid over the suppositories.

But, if you're concerned about the carbon footprint you're leaving, you might have to stack the suppositories for it to get higher than the rectum.

But, you say you're having consitpation....so, I 'd think the inflammation is severe much lower in the rectum....maybe the suppositories would be better...but you should use 2 or 3 daily.

how many Salofalk pills are you taking daily?

Your UC would be considered proctosigmoiditis....

quincy
Posted 5/13/2009 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your reply.
I hear you about the worry of someone seeing your garbage! I use the enema at night, once I'm in bed so that I can lay down and go to sleep afterwards. In the morning I move the enema container from the waste basket and then to the main garbage of the house. I'm always concerned about garbage and privacy.
I have two young children and am always scared they might find it! As well, even the pictures on the Salofalk box (how to insert instructions) are embarrassing AND have my name all over them from the pharmacy. I have to practically shred the boxes before putting them in the garbage or recycling.

But they do work quite well, and I agree, the suppositories probably won't do the trick as well...i'm still going to ask the bum doc tho.

thanks again,
Posted 5/13/2009 2:02 AM (GMT 0)
LOL. I thought the same thing about someone else seeing my trash and all the pills I take. I hate using them too. I have difficulty getting the entire 60 mls. to go in and then I have leftover that I have to throw out. Then, it usually makes you have to go a lot in the a.m. I am gonna have to start getting up earlier so I can get out of the house on time.

Funny how a lot of people don't have diarrhea as their symptoms. I was constipated too and nothing I would do would change that. It is better now with the colazal and other meds.
Posted 5/13/2009 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Quincy,
I'm taking 3 Salofalk pills one day and then 2 the next. I am using the enemas every other day. I never have D but struggle with constipation despite a SUPER high fibre diet, lots of veg, flax, etc.,

I'm seeing the bum doc on Wednesday because there is blood with every bm. I imagine he'll increase my dose.
Yes, that's right, I have ulcerative proctitis
Posted 5/13/2009 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
Do you ake 3 sallofalk 400mg or 3/800mg? I take 3/400mg 3x a day. Seems like a pretty low dose if you're in a flare.
Posted 5/13/2009 2:12 AM (GMT 0)
The Salofalk pills I have are 500 mg each. So one day I take 3 pills, the other day 2 pills and enemas every other night.

I'm also concerned about the long term effects of all this 5ASA. Could it be damaging to the kidneys?
Posted 5/13/2009 2:16 AM (GMT 0)
I should add that when I first started this dose I did great for 2 weeks - I felt great. It seems like my body got use to it and the Salofalk doesn't work like it used to...or does this mean the colitis is getting worse?
Posted 5/13/2009 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
That is a very low dose. I take 3/1200mg doses a day plus the 1000mg suppositories. I have heard about kidney issues but I don't think they are common. At least I don't want to believe it is common. I definitely recommend having your kidneys checked more often than normal people. I had mine checked a few weeks ago and they were fine.

Posted 5/13/2009 2:30 AM (GMT 0)
Wow - my dose IS low. That's why these forums are so great. It's kind of a lonely disease - not one that I want to talk about to just anyone, nor does anyone want to hear about. Clearly there's some room for an increase. I wonder if he'll increase the pills or the enema? I like the idea of the enema as a topical medicine but I hate the delivery method and packaging.

Thanks for your input - I won't be so scared to have my does possibly increased when I see the doc on Wed.
Posted 5/13/2009 9:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hi...your Salofalk dosage isn't high enough, and alternating the dosage seems innefective.

You should be using the enemas nightly for at least a month then see where you are with your symtoms.

Your oral dosage should be about 2500....so, 5 daily or at least 4 daily and increase if you need. Start at the lower dosage and you could split the dosage to twice a day....3 in the morning 2 at night...every day...

You're just teasing your symptoms and you don't have enough consistency with the meds to have your colon heal properly....

I've been on 5ASA for just over 20 years.....and my kidney enzymes are tested regularly.

You need to get the UC flare controlled....for if you're worried about 5ASA...your next options should have you more concerned.

Do what you need to do now....trust me on this, for I've never been as bad as my initial flare, nor as bad as the first 3 years since learning how to use my meds effectively.

You'll eventually understand the need for them...I do understand your reluctance, but for me looking back, the method of using the meds....oral of a proper mid dosage and the enemas nightly to deal with flares until all symptoms are gone. Yes, they are gone at least with me....but patience is needed with the enemas and you cannot hurry them for your body will tell you it's not ready.

Then they must be tapered....I do every second night for about a month, then every third night...etc to find my maintenance dosage.

In the first years, I was able to go completely off the enemas....but now, I'm on some sort of dosage, and never go any lower than every 4 or 5 nights.

Your goal, ultimately, is to make sure the colon stays nice and quiet.....

If you can take salicylates, you're in the pink....not all can, and they will soon become your best friend considering the alternatives...

I commend your doctor for giving you them for first-line meds....some docs ignore that and prescribe pred.

Do your deal....since it's in your family, you have more of an obligation to do it with a plan rather than so-so.

It does take commitment....and it's worked for me. I hope you have the same success.

quincy
Posted 5/13/2009 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Quincy, I really appreciate your feedback. I have my GI appointment on Friday and will welcome an increase dose in both oral and enema Salofalk. I love the idea of having everything nice and quiet in the colon and allowing some healing to happen! Thanks again - much appreciated.
Posted 5/14/2009 7:57 AM (GMT 0)
Hi...maybe I'm not clear on one thing, so clarify. Did the doc have you initially on the enemas every second night? or did you taper to that?

Definitely let us know how your appointment goes on Friday.


Curious where in Canada you reside?

I'm in Winnipeg, MB

Hope you're having good weather.

q
Posted 5/14/2009 10:02 AM (GMT 0)
HI Quincy,

When I was first diagnosed, 16 months ago, I had cortesteroid enemas for a week ( what a week that was!! I was really affected by the steroids - very anxious) followed by Salofalk enemas every night for 3 weeks. The doc then told me to just use the enemas when I needed to. This was around 1-2 a week and then sometimes I would be fine for a few weeks in a row without them. I was not on any oral dose.

A year later the bleeding was worse, more consistent with every bm. A sigmoidoscopy revealed that the inflammation had changed from 23 cm to 44 cm. I was really concerned but the doc didn't seem to be, said it was still in the lower colon - almost like it didn't really matter that the affected length had nearly doubled.

He then prescribed the current dose of Salofalk; 1000mg one day and 1500 mg oral the other day, and with every other night enemas, and I'm still seeing blood and having infrequent bm.

Btw, I started Curcumin (Turmeric derivative) yesterday - a high quality brand by AOR that my naturopath ordered for me. It was my idea - I've read so much about it. Now of course I won't know if it works or not once I start a higher dose of Salofalk...yet I don't feel like postponing an increase dose of Salofalk to find out.

I love Winnipeg and have visited many times. I am in Toronto but fly to Winnipeg and drive to the prairies when visiting the folks. It's been a cool spring with some teaser nice days of +20. I'm looking forward to some
solid warmth - no heat waves tho!

thanks again Q. I'm feeling so much better since starting this forum. Isolation and secrecy suck!
Posted 5/15/2009 4:05 AM (GMT 0)
Universe-girl, would it be possible for you to edit your signature so that it is less than ten lines long (including blank spaces), please? Long sigs put too much pressure - physical and financial - on the HealingWell server, so it's important to keep them short if possible.

Wishing you all the best in your struggle with UC,

Ivy (helping out the UC mods).
Posted 5/16/2009 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Quincy,

I saw the GI doc today. He increased my meds to 1500 mg (3 pills) a day of oral Salofalk and enemas every other night or every night as I see fit.

If I don't see an improvement soon I'll increase the orals. He's more or less letting me decide how many I need. I think the three pills a day will make a big difference.

thanks Q,
Posted 5/16/2009 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
Meant to add that the GI doc thinks that as I mature (I'm 40) I will outgrow this condition. He feels quite strongly that I won't end up like my brother who had an illiostomy. Sounds good to me :)
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply