First enema--need information

Everybody is different. When I was on them I did not have too much discomfort--slight cramp like a period, but goes away after a few minutes. I've seen people that do have pain and can't keep it in.

It's best to take them at night before you go to bed as you need to keep it in for at least 60 minutes (I think?). In the morning when you go to the washroom a little bit will come out. =)

If you can't keep it in (the first couple may be tough) don't worry. Keep it in for as long as you can even if it's only 10 minutes. If you can't take it anymore then go and push it out.

It feels cold and vaseline is a plus. =)

If you are flaring you will feel it. You may even feel like you can't hold it in, and you may not be able to. That's normal. Get some A&D ointment or the generic and use it on the tip. Fill your sink with some hot water and toss the enema in it and let it warm up. When you warm them up first just be careful taking the cap off the first time, because some of the stuff will creep out the top. You can unscrew the cap a little to avoid that. I have never used a full bottle at once. Using first time I may try a 1/3 and see what it feels like. After about 15 min or so if everything is still ok, I may use the rest of it or another 1/3 of the bottle. Some of those bottle HURT, yes. It's the way the tips come from the manufacturers. They have little pieces on the end which feel Sharp to a flared rectum. If you run into one of those just switch the tops to the last comfortable one you used. I have only run into this with the hydrocortisone enema bottles. It is one of the easier ones to hold in since they are more viscous though. I would also exhale when squirting in as this brings diaphragm up and relaxes the colon a little more. I'd stay in the bathroom for first one so you are not freaking out about having to run to bathroom if needed. You can usually get up and move to bed within about 30-40 min. Good luck!

I had tried the enemas before and could not hold it in for long, plus I am constantly getting up at night with my son so it may not be the option for me. Right now I am pretty good, going about 1-3 times a day mostly before lunch time and thats it for the day. The urgency is still there though which tells me that the bottom is not healed. I would like to get closer to being perfect and was thinking of asking my doc to prescribe somthing topical..but this time I Was thinking the suppositories instead of the enema.
Can I get y'alls opinion on one vs. the other? Can you use the supp at night too?

thx,
he prescribed 1g of salofalk in the suppository form once at bedtime. I hope this will help a bit. I told him I didnt want the enema cause I couldnt hold it it but he said the supp only helps the very last portion so hopefully thats where my issue is

ACgirl -
I find the cortisone enemas more easily absorbed than the 5-ASA enemas, and less likely to cause gas, cramping, etc.
You can use half of one if the whole one doesn't go so well at first.
You shake it, squeeze out the extra air in the top of the bottle before inserting it... and the sphincter muscle ought to hold it in there.
I find if I get up to pee even 1 1/2 hours after doing the steroid enema, I feel no pressure of wanting to expel it. The mesalamine enemas, which are a topical medication, stay on top of the tissue much longer and I do feel that "wish to expel" when I get up in the night.

As Quincy said, if the steroid liquid enema gives you problems, try the foam.....