Enemas - got

I've been going through some major prednisone withdrawal this week (extreme fatigue - check) so I finally have the energy to make this post.

I had my appointment last Friday. The doctor mentioned the enemas so I said yes, this forum I read is all about them so yes I'd like to give it a try. She also added pamelor, an anti-depressant she said is used in lower doses for UC, and had my Imuran levels checked again.

The pharmacy had to order the enemas so I didn't get them until Monday. Now I'm used to picking up my (many) prescriptions in little bottles, and sometimes big bottles, and... I don't know what I was expecting but I wasn't expecting a big box... a Big Scary Box! Since the husband wasn't home to show off the Big Scary Box, I stashed it in the bathroom and read the instructions - at least 30 minutes and ideally 8 hours. Since I've read it takes some "practice" to hold it in I figured I'd give the first one a shot while I was home alone and take a 30 minute nap.

My first thought after putting it in was "where did it go?" I couldn't feel anything, until I shifted positions slightly and there it was. Had to fight the feeling a couple times but ended up sleeping two hours. Not bad for a first?

The next two nights I made it 5 hours. 8 is going to be hard to pull off since I don't sleep that long on weeknights, but even with today off I woke up at 5am with a "time to get this out" feeling.

I don't know if it can make a difference that quickly but I swear after the first day I felt more "normal" than I have in a long, long time, and I barely remember what "normal" feels like. It's not pleasant but I'll put up with the awkward nights if it gives me normal days.

I think the part I like the least is what comes out in the morning is so reminiscent of the mucousy diarrhea I was having before I was diagnosed. And the whole awkwardness/feeling like sleeping will never be the same, not being able to change sides. Sounds like people eventually taper these off to a few nights a week though?

Oh also got a flex sig scheduled in a month. That'll tell me how I'm really doing inside I guess!

Ya for an enema "noobie" it does take some getting used to. But you are doing great! Usually you taper once your symptoms subside and then a few weeks later. So the taper timing schedule is individualistic. These meds can be used long term unless they are steroid based.

Great you got the enemas!!! which ones particularly?

You only have to lay on your left side for a while..preferably for 30 minutes...not throughout the night.

Many times I rarely sleep 8 hours...so don't worry about the 8 hour thing and as your goal. Just the fact you're using them and obviously retaining them is a good thing.

Keep us posted Hoshi...awesome news..finally!

q

When did you start on the 5mg every other day?

I wouldn't think it's the enema, but skip a night to give your butt a break.

Are you on any other oral med except for pred?

You might have also picked up a gastro bug...

Are you taking any probiotics?

Hope this is just one day thing...

Keep us posted.
q

so you just do a 0/5 for a week and you're off? wow, never heard of that process. Hope it's successful.

What fibre ills are you taking? Same as I am?

I think the Phillip's colon health seems pretty benign....if you do take it, take it at night at bedtime about an hour aftyer your other meds. You should try it again at least when your symptoms are a bit more stable..maybe in a week?

Thanks for the update...hope tomorrow is a better day.
q

First of all, thank you. I realized last night I don't know what I'd do without this forum - a place where I can actually describe symptoms in detail and be told "yes that's normal".

The taper was 5 (from 10) for a week and then alternating 5/0 for 10 days so the July 4th will be the last day. I'm thinking maybe I should drop the 5 to 2.5 to help the taper be more taper-y. I desperately want off this stuff, withdrawal side effects or not.

Fiber pills were metamucil and now the generic brand because they happened to be buy one get one free. I sloooowly upped myself to two a day. Not sure if I should stop there or keep going since I'm not even close to the "serving size".

I know the probiotic question has been asked a billion times but I'm wondering if there's anything worth using off the shelf since I have to go to the drug store anyway to pick up my flex. sig. prep. (Makes me wonder if the cashier thinks I'm *really* constipated, heh.)

Luckily I rarely have two "bad days" in a row. I think the immodium affects the next day more than the day I take it, or I'm just plain cleaned out. Talking to my coworker a bit ago, he said when he was having stomach issues it was stress related. (Yes small company, we're very open.) That gave me a great big "HMMM" since I had a great 4-day weekend and came back to a nightmare week at work.

So this is a totally silly question but... I keep wondering if sticking a pillow under my butt will help gravity move the enema down (up?).

My usual routine is to use it in the master bathroom and then run to bed and get on my left side asap, then lay calm and focus on sleep while waiting for the urge to let go to pass.

If you want a break from the enemas, you might do a Canasa in the a.m. I forget the enemas sometimes and do that. Can you get some Canasa?