HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Help! Using Mesalamine Enemas with Arthritis

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted Today 10:17 PM (GMT 0)
I've been using mesalamine enemas every night for years to successfully treat the inflammation in the lowest part of the colon, but all that squeezing has now resulted in arthritis of my forefinger, and I would like to stop its progression. Would welcome any ideas on some way to ease the strain from the squeezing.

Thanks!
Posted 11/30/2015 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
Some of those bottles are so still and difficult to squeeze. Can you use your other hand or is the arthritis is both hands?
Posted 11/30/2015 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
The brandnamed perrigo mesalamine enemas (green cap) are difficult to squeeze.

I found the generic mesalamine rectal suspension enema kit (blue cap) are much, much easier to squeeze (sold in packs with 7 or 28 doses).

Any chance you have a spouse who might be willing to help you?
Posted 12/4/2015 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies. No, there's no one but me to do this and it unfortunately needs to be done with the right hand but I wouldn't want to ruin the other hand the same way over time anyway.

I will see if my insurance covers the other generic, the one that's way easier to squeeze, that would be great if that worked out. Great suggestion and thanks for the link to the phot.
Posted 12/4/2015 6:44 PM (GMT 0)
Maybe try warming the bottle under hot water to make it a little more pliable? Or maybe try wearing rubber gloves so that your hands are not slipping when squeezing.

I have the weakest hands too. I usually can't get all the contents out because I don't have the strength to squeeze that hard. Sorry you are struggling.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply