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Help with Rowasa...

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 8/13/2008 8:18 PM (GMT -5)
Starting it here soon tonight!  Going to try it on the toilet but I cannot fine any instructions saying it might even work a little that way.  Any opinions out there?

If that does not work I will have to ask my husband tomorrow to see another choice.  Because of obesity/really bad knees/arthritis, etc. this is difficult but my doctor wants me to try it before moving on to anything else.

Do you think even a small amount in there will do any good?

ElaineNY

Posted 8/13/2008 8:47 PM (GMT -5)
Elaine - any Rowasa will be better than none! I'm interested to hear how your application method works. There are other members on the site that have had a spouse help to administer the rectal meds.

Remember - it does take a few trys to get the administration right. So, don't get discouraged if it doesn't work the first time! I would also suggest trying to use only 1/2 the first night or two.

Best of luck!
Posted 8/13/2008 8:48 PM (GMT -5)
Before inserting the bottle, squeeze the air out until just a little bit of the med comes out. Then insert and squeeze (do not let any air get into the bottle). Once you get as much as you possibly can in you, make sure to lie down on your left side. I hope this helps :)
Posted 8/13/2008 9:06 PM (GMT -5)
As long as you can keep the liquid in, I think it would be okay to insert it on the toilet. I like to warm my bottle up a bit before inserting (it makes it easier for me to keep it in). I rub the bottle between my hands or put it in front of the heater (in the winter) for a bit. Good luck! Don't get discouraged if it doesn't work the first few times. It was hard for me to keep it in for long the first few tries.
Posted 8/13/2008 9:19 PM (GMT -5)
If you must do it on the toilet, just make sure you pinch those cheeks together and get to your bed immediately. If that doesn't work, your hubby may have to take over. Like they say, "In sickness and in health!" :-)
Posted 8/13/2008 9:45 PM (GMT -5)
I have done it on the toilet and it still worked for me. Be sure to squeeze the extra air out of the top of the bottle first, that makes it more comfortable to retain it. Then give yourself a minute to relax there before moving gently to the bed.
Posted 8/14/2008 9:03 AM (GMT -5)
I used all your suggestions - only put in about 1/2 of it - didn't feel it much.  Gently went to ly down - my bed is about 4 steps from the toilet!  Laid on left side for 35 minutes (that is the hardest part for me) and kept it in all night - tiny cramping at first but settled down.  No BM until about 10 a.m. Should I see streaks of the Rowasa on my stool?  Sure better than seeing blood anyway.  Just tiny bit of blood.  Tonight will try to use most of it.

Thanks so much everyone!  If nothing else - your encouragement helped me believe I could do it.  My husband said he would help if necessary - he really wants me to feel better.

ElaineNY

Posted 8/14/2008 9:16 AM (GMT -5)
In my experience I would say that you could expect to see an opaque liquid pass in the am. Rowasa did me some good right away when I started and I could only keep it in for a couple hours. Hope you have similar results

Btw, I think I read earlier you are from north of Syracuse??? I spent about 10 years in the north country in Watertown.
Posted 8/14/2008 9:22 AM (GMT -5)

Hi madabs (does not mean you are a guy?)

Thanks!  Yes,  I am originally from just North of Watertown.  Met my husband when he was stationed at Fort Drum.  We have been married 47 years next week. We live near Central Square now.

I see you took colazal and lialda.  Why did you stop taking them?  I take Colazal and my doc is thinking of Lialda next.  Canasa did not work as good as supposedly Rowasa - hope that is true.  I always feel like there is one little piece of my colon not getting medication from above or below. 

ElaineNY

Posted 8/14/2008 9:32 AM (GMT -5)
Elaine, with Rowasa you can get a rainbow of colors! :) But yes, it is better then seeing blood that is for sure.
Posted 8/14/2008 9:50 AM (GMT -5)

One more question!  How far should you put that applicator up?  It is pretty long.  Thnk I went about 1/2 way - easy enough except it said to point towards my naval - not sure where it was pointing.  I will do the best I can and hope it works!

ElaineNY

Posted 8/14/2008 12:38 PM (GMT -5)
I usually put it in just a little and squirt some meds so that it gets to the very end on the rectum (it also helps lubricate the area so you can put it further up). Then move it up as far as comfortable so it will go up as high into the colon as possible.
Posted 8/14/2008 12:45 PM (GMT -5)

Thanks.  I am concerned that many have tried Colazal and are not using it now.  I am along with the Rowasa.  Can you tell me why you don't use it anymore?

ElaineNY

Posted 8/14/2008 12:49 PM (GMT -5)
Elaine,

Colozal gave me awful nausea. Lialda made little difference in my symptoms in fact I continued to get worse while on it. If I do no get better on Asacol, I think I would try the colozal again just because I never gave it much of a chance because of the nausea.

Didn't they call it "Camp Drum" back then? I always used to think of Central Square as "modern" town because of the all the new (in the 70's) houses I could see from 81. Doesn't sound like you moved very far out of the lake effect snow belt.

EDit:  Forgot....I am a girl (or was in my youth)

Posted 8/14/2008 1:09 PM (GMT -5)

I did not get nausea from Colazal (have had nausea off and on for years with no explanation) - just headaches a little at start.  Been taking it a month and seems to help a lot - hoping the Rowasa will do the final few inches of my colon, etc.

Yes, Camp Drum!  After traveling all over the world with Army husband we ended up here.  Who in the world know WHY - we get FEET of snow.

ElaineNY

Posted 8/14/2008 8:23 PM (GMT -5)
I'm glad you were able to keep the Rowasa in all night! That's great. Hope you see some improvement from it soon. I also see streaks of the Rowasa on my stool in the morning. I think that's normal. I don't think you have to put the applicator tip in all the way...just as far as is comfortable. I agree that they are really long.
Posted 8/15/2008 6:11 AM (GMT -5)
The applicator tips are meant to be long so the med can get disbursed to the sigmoid area in which Rowasa was intended. I think you will find that you will get the hang of it pretty fast. And 1/2 med is better then no med. Also, try to retain it all night if you can. That way, the med has a better chance of getting absorbed.
Posted 8/15/2008 10:14 AM (GMT -5)

Second night and I was able to get more than 1/2 in and keep it in all night.  Saw a lot of "residue" this morning but tiny blood which is wonderful!  So far feeling good about the Rowasa.  Someone here told me to "white knuckle" it for at least 1/2 hour to keep it in - finding that after that time the urgency subsides - thanks!

ElaineNY

Posted 8/15/2008 11:21 AM (GMT -5)
I usually lay on my left side, draw my right knee up towards my chest, and insert it after I have warmed the bottle up with my hands or between my legs to get it up to my body temperature. That seems to make the retention process a little more comfortable if the liquid is not so cold. Letting the air out helps a lot, too. Are we having fun yet?! roll roll
Posted 8/15/2008 11:25 AM (GMT -5)
Awesome news!!! Hard to believe the urge eventually passes, but it seems your method is working and that's something we can pass on to others. I would have assumed that if it was done on the toilet, the urge to expel would be more..but it seems it's not.

White-knuckling is all we can do to get through "those" bms or the urge after administering the enemas. I've only had to expel two (or maybe 3) over the past 19+ years.

I do on occasion get a wave of urge about an hour afterward sometimes...it passes quickly...

Methinks you're doing marvelously!!!

quincy
Posted 8/15/2008 11:54 AM (GMT -5)
That's fantastic! I know you were looking for a reduction in blood and sounds like you've finally found it! congrats great work!
Posted 8/15/2008 12:14 PM (GMT -5)

Missy - reason I have to do it on the toilet is I want to do it myself and can't reach that "area" lying down.  It does not feel cold or anything.  Only problem is reaching is hard there too so maybe not "aiming" too well.

Kim - I assume reduction in blood means it is healing - right?

quincy - I did expell maybe a small amount before I made it to my bed which is only about 5 steps.  Yes, the urge got better as I rested but you know I take a Xanax and Tylenol before I go to bed and maybe that helps also.  I did have gas in the night but everything else stayed in!

Thanks for your help and encouragement - everyone.

ElaineNY

Posted 8/15/2008 5:37 PM (GMT -5)
Glad it's working!

FYI:
Be careful around carpet, tile, granite, clothing etc...this stuff turns to a nasty dark brown when exposed to the light and is very hard to clean.
Posted 8/15/2008 6:05 PM (GMT -5)

bbc:  Found out about brown stain - I have to wear underwear to bed so now I know to wear OLD underwear to bed!!

ElaineNY

Posted 8/16/2008 10:06 AM (GMT -5)

Update and questions?  Hope it is ok that I posted this in two places - looking for help and answers until MOnday.  Thanks.

 Colazal seems to be working.  No diarrhea, less cramping and less blood.  Then my doc added (after using proctofoam for a couple weeks) Rowasa enemas and 3 more Colazal pills a day.  I have used three enemas - only could get about 1/2 to 3/4 in and stay there all night.  Feel better - first day after new meds.  Second day a little more cramping but feel good.  Today after three enemas and 9 pills for 3 days - I woke up with that terrible nausea again (which I had had for months about 4 a.m.), then cramping but not too bad.  Three BMs later - I did not see any blood - just residue from enema.  That has been the goal - no blood.  Hardly any left-sided discomfort.  BUT - that nausea, sweating and then yucky feeling all morning is like the old days.  I think I will have to cut back some on meds.  Planning on calling NP Monday.  Having company this weekend so cutting back again and taking Imodium until Monday.  Anyone else have the reaction from the Rowasa or max Colazal.  I am very sensitive to medication so I am thinking that is what is going on.

ElaineNY

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