HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Enema users: What are your first stools like in the morning?

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 6/13/2016 12:19 PM (GMT 0)
Just started on Pentasa enemas...I'm able to keep it in all night no problem, but my first stool in the morning is usually a white colored watery mess. Usually within about 30 min I'll have another stool that is anywhere from completely liquid to very very soft and not really formed. Is this normal? I'm afraid I'm not absorbing the liquid, despite keeping it in all night.

I always administer it lying on my stomach...I find lying on my left side gives me urges to go to the bathroom. I'll stay on my front for a few minutes, then roll over and sleep on my back. Any issues with doing this?

Also, I've experimented with mixing VSL #3, L-Glutamine, and chopped up pred tablets into the enema...Not sure if I'm noticing a difference. If anything, the VSL #3 or L-Glutamine seems to make the stools in the morning even more liquid, but I think the pred is working.

Any thoughts on this? Been struggling with a flare for 6+ months with lots of pred and can't seem to get it under control. :( FMT scheduled for next month...fingers crossed...
Posted 6/13/2016 12:59 PM (GMT 0)
That is pretty normal. As the meds work you will notice slightly more formed stool with less white although I still see varying amounts of enema on my first stool. Right now I use them 2-3 times a week for maintenance and have formed stool, but when I was in an active flare, my stool was very loose and I would see a lot more of the enema.
Posted 6/13/2016 2:00 PM (GMT 0)
It's normal. I have better absorption when I sleep on my left side though.
Posted 6/14/2016 12:53 AM (GMT 0)
Yep, this is normal. You will get a wide array of colors from enemas. It's best to administer while lying on your left side tho. Hopefully when the urge to go eases you will be able to do this. What also helps is rolling the bottle around in your hands for a while or run under lukewarm water. This warms the liquid up a bit and it won't feel so harsh.
Posted 6/14/2016 10:08 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks all. I actually don't mind the room temperature liquid...I can feel it going all the way up into my descending colon, which is reassuring that it's going to the right spot. :)

Any idea why left side vs front vs back is better?
Posted 6/14/2016 11:43 AM (GMT 0)
The enema is a liquid suspension that delivers anti-inflammatory mesalamine from the rectum to the sigmoid colon and beyond. Ideally, the mesalamine is evenly distributed throughout those regions. Depending on how we lay, a combination of gravity and our large intestine's anatomy affects the distribution of that mesalamine. If we lay on our stomach the mesalamine tends to pool in the sigmoid colon which is the forwardard-most point. If we lay on our back, mesalamine tends to pool in the rectum which isn't good for absorbing liquid. If we lay on our left side, a bit of the mesalamine stays in the rectum, more covers the sigmoid, and it gets the best access to our descending colon which is along our left side. It's a lumpy, bumpy, and twisty path up the large intestine but I believe we all move some in our sleep which helps advance the liquid some more. If you're like me, and toss and turn, and flop around like a fish within your sleep then who knows whatcha get haha.
Posted 6/14/2016 4:41 PM (GMT 0)
I'm using a Salofalk squishy bottle enema before bed and in the morning there seems to be alot of white residue from the medicine, but it seems to be helping with the inflammation (although I'm on so many drugs, I have no idea what is working best right now).

I'm also on a morning corticosteriod foam enema and it also leaves a white residue with my next poop (usually a couple hours later)...
Posted 6/14/2016 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
All normal......your daily bms and consistency/frequency etc can determine where you are in flare status. Stool formation/consistency can be influenced by food intake as well.

q
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply