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cort enema questions

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/30/2009 3:01 PM (GMT 0)

Hi - I am starting to have a flare and will begin cort enemas tonight.  The last time I tried them I was in such a terrible flare that they did not help at all.  I am catching flares earlier now and learning to be more aggressive with seeking additional treatments when needed. 

 

For those who have success with the cort enemas - how long does it generally take to see improvements and how long do you stay on them???

 

Thanks!

Posted 7/30/2009 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
Generally the following morning. Stay on them as long as you need to, and sometimes even when you don't feel like you need to, lol.
Posted 7/30/2009 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
If you're bleeding, the cort enemas can usually stop it in a day or two. (Although I wouldn't panic if it didn't.) The trick is not to stop too soon or to switch to cortifoam rather than stopping.
Posted 7/30/2009 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
Another important thing with Cortenemas is to TAPER. This is a steroid medication and should be tapered to reduce the chances of rebound symptoms.

Usually someone remains on them anywhere from 4 weeks to 8 weeks, depending on your symptoms.

Posted 7/30/2009 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
I just stopped my cort enemas after about 12 days of use (and seeing very little result).  After my second colonoscopy last Friday, they began giving me bad left-sided cramps every time I used them.  Told the doc I wouldnt do that anymore!

DX: UC (Proctitis) January 2009 (age 24)

Status: Currently in flare since Aug 2008 without remission

Medications: Align (probiotic), Cortisone Enema, Lialda, Prednisone (tapering), Flagyl, Cipro, Canasa, anticipating Dipentum after round of Prednisone,

Posted 7/30/2009 8:47 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for the feedback everyone...I really hope that it works this time...the last time I tried them they did not work but I was in a BAD flare...I am just in the early stages right now so I am hoping to have better results. Last time I thought it actually made things worse but I was so sick it is hard to say. My doctor basically told me to use one a night for two weeks then taper down but he gave me a prescription for more than would be needed and told me that I could take use them every day for longer than two weeks if needed...
Posted 7/30/2009 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
     I've been in a flare since the end of May but started the prednisone and Cort enemas around the same time...June 11th.  I have ulcerative proctitis and it is very stubborn.  I can still feel the inflammation right at the end of my rectum.  The bleeding stopped awhile ago and I don't have diarrhea....the bowel movement is once a day and normal.  I believe the longest I have been on Cort enemas is something like three months.  Doctor never told me to taper them....just taper the oral prednisone.  Right now I am down to 25 mgm and tapering 5 mgm per week (from 40 mgm), 100 mgm of 6MP, nine capsules of Colazal, Cort enemas nightly and Canasa suppository in the morning.
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