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Mesalamine Enemas - Rebound Effect?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/21/2012 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
i am going to the doc this week (finally) to ask for steroid enemas to help me with this proctitis. I have been on the mesalamine enemas for a while - off and on - and decided to severely cut back on other expenses so I can take enemas every day (wasn't able to before due to high cost for me) ... I went two weeks straight and saw improvement but blood never truly went away although the ache did for the most part. Now however, it is like the enemas are having a rebound effect ... I am backsliding.

Can the enemas stop working? I am hoping the steroid enemas will help jumpstart healing because now the bathroom issues are starting to interrupt life again and I DON'T want to go back to living in the bathroom.
Posted 5/21/2012 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, they can stop working, just like the oral mesalamine can quit working for some people. It sucks, for sure.
Posted 5/21/2012 8:01 PM (GMT 0)
yes, it's definitely possible.
Hope the steroid enemas kick you back into healing.

What oral meds are you on?


For some, unfortunately...no meds work.

q
Posted 5/21/2012 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on the sulfasalazine for oral meds for a few years ... before that was Lialda. The sulfazalazine seems to be working as my gut has been quiet for a few years. The proctitis came up last fall and now it is being stubborn with the enemas not working. As soon as I get my powdered slippery elm I ordered in the mail, I will start trying that too. I already take the capsules orally.

I can't wait for my appointment on Thursday and hope the doc gives me some good meds and that I can afford them!

Thanks fruitgirl and quincy for your insight!
Posted 5/21/2012 9:49 PM (GMT 0)
I used to take the Cortisone enemas and they'd knock out a flare immediately. But those mysteriously stopped working for me when I tried them again a few years ago.  So they can definitely just stop working, as can any medication as Colazal seems to not work for me now either. 
Posted 5/22/2012 4:02 PM (GMT 0)
i am living this right now ! as of yesterday all my symptoms came back ! the blood of mucus are not as bad as before, i had about 2 weeks of feeling normal except for energy levels and i could barely make it through the day.

im so discouraged ! what do i do now, call my dr, wait it out?

its so frustrating.. im mad .. lol sorry

Posted 5/27/2012 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
I have some good news ... after just two days on the steroid enemas, I finally had some BMs that did not make me want to pass out from the pain! Oh man ... you don't know what relief is until you can have a normal poop (actually, I know you all do)! I am taking it one day at a time. The doc prescribed two weeks of steroid enemas for me but told me to see how I am doing after one week. If I feel good and things appear normal, I should go back to my melasamine enemas. I did have to bump up my oral meds a bit for a while but that is ok.

I just wish I could figure out what triggers my body to start a flare! I think that mystery, if solved, would do wonders ....
Posted 5/27/2012 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
I used the mesalamine enemas (brandname Rowasa & generics later) successfully for 14 yrs. Then at the start of my last flare 3 yrs ago the Perrigo generic definitely made my inflammation worse! It felt like my side was tearing open. My gastro said to get off them right away. It's scary when the previously helpful med turns on you-- no question!!!!! I hope the steroid jobs will help you back to remission ASAP. / Old Hat (31 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 5/27/2012 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
I was using Rowasa to stop minor flares but it got to the point where it was just holding the symptoms steady rather than healing the inflammation. My dr switched me to Canasa and it made a HUGE difference. I'm weaning myself off them now since it seems I am in complete remission. Medications effects are different for everyone but I would suggest asking your dr if s/he thinks you are on the right rectal med.
Posted 5/27/2012 8:47 PM (GMT 0)
^^ best to not wean completely off the Canasa, and taper slowly to a maintenance dosage.

q
Posted 5/27/2012 8:49 PM (GMT 0)
Dr told me to stop the Canasa after a gradual taper. I'm down to once every 4th night and doing great.
Posted 5/27/2012 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, the doctor suggested it...just be aware that our experience is saying it's not a good idea.

But experience is our best teacher...just pay attention to your symptoms as you're tapering. If you come into more constipation type symptoms, better up the Canasa.

q
Posted 5/28/2012 12:53 AM (GMT 0)
Is canasa a mesalazine suppository or enema?
What dose does it come in?
Posted 5/28/2012 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
Canasa is a mesalamine suppository.
Posted 5/28/2012 4:30 AM (GMT 0)
1000mg (1g).
Posted 5/28/2012 1:32 PM (GMT 0)

quincy said...
Yes, the doctor suggested it...just be aware that our experience is saying it's not a good idea.

But experience is our best teacher...just pay attention to your symptoms as you're tapering. If you come into more constipation type symptoms, better up the Canasa.

q


Care to expand on this a bit? I was not under the impression that rectal meds must be used forever.
Posted 5/28/2012 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
it's called maintenance and up to a point..keeping flares more limited in intensity.

q
Posted 5/28/2012 6:12 PM (GMT 0)
Should I stay on it as a maintenance drug even when I'm taking other maintenance meds? I don't mind taking it but I just don't see how it's necessary.
Posted 5/28/2012 7:41 PM (GMT 0)
Where does UC start in the colon...from your understanding?
q
Posted 5/28/2012 9:28 PM (GMT 0)

quincy said...
Where does UC start in the colon...from your understanding?
q

Dude, I'm not looking for an argument. You made a statement- back it up. I'm open to treatment ideas but I need more than what you're giving me. I just haven't seen any information that suggests that all people with UC should be on a maintenance rectal med.
Posted 5/29/2012 8:49 AM (GMT 0)
i'm not a dude...I'm a dudette.

If you can do without rectal meds between flares, then that's great. Eventually you'll find out if you need to be on maintenance rectals...your butt will tell you and back it up.

Are you still on the Remicade?

q
Posted 5/29/2012 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
Imuran, Canasa taper, Wellbutrin, and Remicade. I have my 3rd infusion in 2 weeks.
Posted 5/30/2012 6:52 AM (GMT 0)
You're already on the big-gun meds...at least you'll have knowledge of using the Canasa to help you at the first symptoms.

q
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