2 ?'s...Enemas & Probiotics

Thanks to this website, I am learning much about my uc and how to treat it. I have two questions based on things I have seen other people post about.

First, many of you take enemas and state this helps to get a flare under control.  The only experience I have with enemas are the Fleet ones I have had to take to clear me out for a colonoscopy.  I hated that step in process and I can't imagine how that would help with UC.  Also, are there different names for enemas?  How do these enemas work?  How often do you use them?  Do you need a prescription for them?

Second, I have seen many people post that they are on probiotics.  What is this?  What does it do?  Where can you get it from?

Thanks for any help you can give me!

C_G_K explained it pretty well. The enemas that we take for our Uc are meant to be retained, not expelled like the Fleet. They absorb into the colon to help with inflammation. Usually they are taken at bedtime because you need to remain on your left side for at least a half hour to get the medicine absorbed. So taking it at night helps in retaining them longer. The mesalamine enemas are called Rowasa (brand), Mesalamine retention enemas (generic) or Salofalk (outside the US). Steroid enemas are called Colocort (brand) or Hydrocortisone retention enemas (generic). Rowasa can be used long term or as maintenance for proctitis, sigmoiditis or left sided. Steroid enemas are a more short term measure because some steroid can enter your blood stream and long term steroid use is not recommended or it can mess with the adrenal gland function not to mention cause bone loss.

Probiotics are good bacteria. Taken over time it can help replace the bad with the good. You can find them at any drug store or health food store. However, not all of them will agree with you. You may end up trying several before finding the right bacteria combination that works for you.