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Mesalamine Enema

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 12/12/2012 3:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, I am new to this group. I am 22 years old and was diagnosed with UC in June of last year. I achived remission for one year but this June I flared up again and have not been able to achive remission. I have taken four rounds of Prednizone but I haven't gotten better (plus Pentasa 500mg 8 tabs a day). Now, I am on azthioprine 50mg a day and I was just perscribed a mesalamine enema which I will be trying for the first time tonight. I had never even heard of this type of enema and was wondering if anybody out there has tried this and if it worked. Please let me know...I am very scared that I haven't gotten better and want to know if the enema has worked for anyone. Thank you!
Posted 12/12/2012 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
It works for quite a few people. You can search for "rectal meds" or "enema" and pull up lots of threads/discussion.

I did find I did better with the sulfate-free, which is not generic, and a bit expensive. When I took the regular generic, I occasionally used a hydro-cortisone enema to keep down irritation from the sulfate.
Posted 12/12/2012 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
It works extremely well for me.
Posted 12/12/2012 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
Emilia10, the mesalamine enema is a great med for people with UC. Your DR should have prescribed it to you a year ago. I think if you use it every day you will have very good results. I hope that you are able to stay off the oral steroids.
Posted 12/12/2012 3:39 PM (GMT 0)
The enamas work well for me
Posted 12/12/2012 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
I am on them since diagnosis on August 2012 and believe they help quite a bit. The affected area on me is rectal and sigmoid. My GI said the enema can reach up to the splenic flexure of the colon (left side of the colon), if that area is affected in you and you are able to tolerate the mesalamines well, I think they are a great first line option. Anytime you can stay away or at least minimize the use of medications with higher side effect profiles like steroids or immunosupresants it is a great thing. Good luck.

Post Edited (NomasUC) : 12/12/2012 11:13:07 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/12/2012 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
They seem to work for me too. I do ir 2 x a week, and take 3 balsalazides every night. Seems to keep me sound if I eat well. Good luck!
Posted 12/12/2012 11:52 PM (GMT 0)
many of us on here use/have used them. They help me a great deal (it is not a fast process but if I stick with them long enough - several months, they seem to help get me back into remission!)

Don't be confused that they are like an enema to make you go. they are meant to be kept in and absorbed by the colon/rectum. Basically like an oral mesalamine but in liquid form and applied to the most affected area directly.

Lots and lots of posts about them on here if you use the search button.
Good luck, hope they help.
Posted 12/12/2012 11:57 PM (GMT 0)
Emilia - where you ever on any mesalamines (5ASA)? did they tell you how high up is your UC?

just to add to my previous post too, I could not get remission from prednisone, but enemas did finally work out for me...
Posted 12/13/2012 12:04 AM (GMT 0)
They've worked very well for me too.  The mesalamine suppositories weren't doing the trick, but the enemas seem to reach higher up.  I wish I'd started them a long time ago.

Chinamom

Posted 1/13/2013 2:14 AM (GMT 0)
Out of all the meds, the enemas helped my son the most. My husband and I were freaking out the first time we had to give it to him and we spent about an hour talking about it before hand. Also promised him a new toy the next day. Wasn't so bad, we all got used to it pretty fast.
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