New To Group Going to Try Rowasa a little nervous

Hi Everyone.

I have been putting off taking the Rowasa for a week now. Does it leak out when you are in bed? I know I have to stay on my side for a 1/2 hour.

Thanks for any help.

LA

I've never leaked a drop. It hasn't been any problem for me. I only wished it would spread throughout the colon, instead of just the sigmoid.

DeniseW, are the ones you're talking about the 6g/5ml bottles?

Another question--

should i put a tarp on my bed and does the medication smell?
will it stain my bedding-- like my blankets?
do you take the Rowasa on your bed or in your bathroom?
sorry I am just really nervous.

thanks again-- as for ayurveda and yoga/ natural i see there is a thread on this.

I've also just been prescribed Rowasa a few days ago.  I've been tolerating pretty well, although not really sure if its working but again, this is only my third dose.   I dont have any trouble with it leaking at night, I've been able to retain the medicine until the morning, thats when normally I have to have a BM.   My only concern,  is that Im making a few more trips to the bathroom a day to have BM's since I've started the Rowasa. It seems to be making me have more D, but not for sure if that might just be my flare up..  You may have to adjust your dosage.  My first night I took the whole 60 ml's, and that caused several loose stools. The second night I took only 30 ml's and seemed to have a much better day with not as many loose stools.  Hope this helped. Good Luck!

Right, it's best if you can retain it overnight but it has shown to be effective if left in for at least 30 minutes. I have used enemas for nearly 12 years off and on and I have never had any sort of leakage problem. Trying to hold in, yes but never leakage. I have never had a stain on my bedsheets or blankets. But also if you are nervous that it can stain, you can put a sanitary napkin in your underwear or even wear depends at night. When you do decide to use them, be sure to expel all the air out before inserting or it can cause cramping. Also if the bottle is cold you can run it under warm water or roll around in your hand to warm it up. By warming it, it will also help you retain it.

And btw, welcome to Healingwell :)

I would work my way up to all night.  Sometimes if you are very raw inside you can't retain it all night at first until the inflammation calms down.  Again, this can't be repeated enough-- make sure you squeeze all the air out of the bottle or it will make you crampy and you can't hold it in.  Unscrew the cap, push the liquid up to the top and screw it back on.  Then squeeze just a smidgen out.  Start out with a half hour, then 45minutes to an hour the next night and so on until you eventually work up to all night--just to see how you react to it.  (They usually give you plenty of bottles).  I personally cannot do all night.  I get really horrible cramps in the morning when I do and I go to the bathroom too many times.  But an hour or so at night works very well for me when I'm in a flare.  I usually lie down on my side and apply it, and watch TV while I'm waiting.  I have never had a leaking problem once it's all in, but do put something down like an old towel on the couch or bed because it might leak just a little when applying because it can stain.  Don't be alarmed if your bowel movements are darker with a whiteish cast to it the next day.

Hi here..welcome to the forum!

The more you worry about it....the worse can be. Just make sure you're not doing anything or moving about after you've inserted the medication. Have a garbage bag/can beside your bed so that you don't have to get up to throw it into the garbage. Turn on the TV or read for the half hour after so that you're not totally bored if you can't get to sleep.

Check out the diagram and read the instructions....see which position works best for you. You might find using KY on the tip before inserting will be easier.

Once you start using them, you'll change your technique a bit to suit you.

You will have the urge to expell it....just lie still and white-knuckle through it...do panting, squealing, grunting, groaning...whatever it'll take for you to hold it in.

In the 19 years, there were 3 times I couldn't hold it for the entire night, once I had to run to the toilet to expel about 3 minutes after doing it.

Let us know how you make out.

quincy

I agree with Quincy: it can be hard to retain at 1st, but do your best to hold it in overnight-- to increase your chances for healing of the inflamed tissue. Rowasa does stain orange if it spills on bedding, etc. Also, it can take up to 3 months of nightly use to bring about remission. One has to be patient while using it because it does not work as fast as the steroid retention enemas. It also liquifies the bms whereas the steroid enemas make things nice 'n' dry-- like your colon could whistle. But remember, the doctor prescribes Rowasa because it has far fewer side effects long-term than steroid meds. / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC;currently on 3 Colazal daily;seem to be back in remission)

It takes some time for the effects to be fully realized. How much time is a good question.
I have to admit that during one insertion I forgot to take the cap off. darn medicine wouldn't come out. I felt so dumb.

;)

here....at least give the meds a fair chance. It's your decision ultimately.

You should do the research to understand how they work.

Remissions means absence of symptoms...such as being "normal" for an extended period of time. Of course, past normal and present normal and future normal are subjective.

You have a disease that is life-long. It waxes and wanes. Meds given are usually the doctor's choice...patient do have the right to not use them.

One can definitely incorporate any supportive therapies of exercise, meditation, supplements..etc as to his or own choosing. Research should be done as to what the side effects and what the contraindications are.

We all go through a phase of denial.....acceptance......understanding.

Keep us posted.
quincy