Enemas vs Suppositories

I’ve been on suppositories the last month or so, but due to financial reasons, I switched to enemas. I did my first dose last night, and today I’ve noticed that my urgency and small bits of blood have returned.

How long will it take for my body to adjust to a new form of medication? When ahould I pull the plugs on enemas, and cough up $1,000 for a 30 day supply of Canasa?

I'd see if it happens again, and not panic over a one day episode. If that happens consistently then it's possible you have a sulfite allergy, as the enemas use sulfites as a preservative. Canasa does not contain that. Sulfite allergies affect about 5% of us. There's a sulfite-free ebema called sfRowasa also, hard to comeby though...

Thanks for the insight, everyone! I’ll have to check out the Canadian version of Canasa because even with the discount card, it’d be around $700 for a 30 day supply. I’m not THAT excited to hit my deductible lol!

Last night was round #2, and I made sure to stay on my left side all night. We will see how today goes! I’m going to give my doctor a call mid week to let him know how it’s going.

I’m not at home, but I’m almost positive it’s a hydrocortisone enema.

Good advice. I still have about 25 days to go on these enemas. We shall see!

Mucus is our very least concerning side effect, most doctors do not worry about it. As our Irritable Bowel Syndrome friends have mucus, and by definition they cannot have inflammation.

Tips for using meslamine/rowasa enemas:

• When you first start using enemas, use them in the bathroom very close to a toilet as they can come up very quick and unexpected. As you get better at them, and more confident, you can administer them in bed.
  
• Add extra Vaseline (petroleum jelly) to the tip of the enema.
  
• Warm the enema up to body temperature before administering. Put it in a pocket for a while before using, or warm it up under an armpit.
  
• Squeeze all of the air out of the bottle before administering. You do not want to inject any air into your bowel as it will both be uncomfortable and make it likely you will need to urgently evacuate the enema fluid.
  
• Lay an old towel down as any drips of the enema fluid can stain clothing, carpet, etc.
  
• Use one of the positions described in the instructions.
  
• Administer the enema slowly, too quickly and you will be less successful. If you wish, you can do one half the bottle first, wait a few minutes, and then administer the rest.
  
• Stay reclined on your left side for about 20 minutes to allow the enema fluid to be absorbed. Retire for the night.
  
• It takes practice to hold the enema in for 7 hours. Do not get discouraged, and keep trying. Even if you evacuate part of the enema, some will likely remain and heal you. As you heal, it will be easier to retain them for longer lengths of time.

Explain pus (not puss). If you actually have pus, then you need an antibiotic.

q

My suggestion is to ask for mesalamine enemas rather than mesalamine suppositories...once the steroid enemas are done.

Ask for steroid suppositories to supplement the mesalamine enemas if needed. Should be better cost-wise....hopefully.

q

Update: well, after about a week and a half on the enema mentioned above, I made the decision to go back to Canasa. Last night was my first time on it, and then this morning I took another. However, today, my stomach has been not been right. I’ve essentially gotten rid of everything in my body, and it still feels like I have to go. Could this be because I’ve switched from the hydrocortisone enema to Canasa, and my body is simply adjusting? The BM consists of liquid and matter.

Or, should I be more concerned?

Yeah, it usually makes my abdominal muscles crunch prior to exit. I’m thinking it’s in the rectum due to the pain/quivering feeling right before it leaves.
I switched back because I reached a good place prior to incorporating a hydrocortisone enema, but I significantly decreased the past 7 days, and I do not want to risk another 21 days left on my enema.

It’s liquid mixed with coffee grounds lol. Talking about BM used to be weird, but it says a lot about your body. I think it’s located in the rectum, but with constant BM, it’s tough for the area to heal.

Ill let my GI specialist know. No, I have not had a stool sample done.

Update - I slept through the night finally! However, today has been another flare up. I’ve been on and off the toilet all day. Every time, I pass some sort of substance. Again, looks like shreds or coffee grounds. In addition, I’m noticing a yellow tint to the water. Sharp abdominal pain is also happeneing. Not sure what’s happening

Meds:
2 - Canasa (morning and night)
1 - 9mg Uceris
4 - Delzicol (2 in morning and 2 evening)