Daily enemas?

TE MarieMember

The balloon dilation of the efferent side of my j-pouch in February didn't last more than a week. I'm rotating 2 antibiotics every two weeks for pouchitis and IPS, plus daily canasa suppositories, for chronic cuffitis, and VSL#3DS. In spite of all of that I need to give myself multiple enemas using the "turbo" function on my Coco bidet. My GI at Mayo's is going to see me the end of July and thinks he will need to repeat the pouchoscope dilation plus thinks I might also need a surgeon to dilate it under anesthesia as well.

I also have an over sized j-pouch and am wondering if that might be part of the reason I need to force water in addition to the need for dilation. The end of July is 6 weeks away and I am miserable. I'm taking Norco and Dicyclomine but they don't get rid of much pain. I'm eating protein fruit/veggie smoothies and Greek yogut all the time. Meat looks disgusting anymore. My quality of life has hit rock bottom again.

Do any of you need to use enemas/inserting water daily? I'm afraid I might be harming my pouch by doing this so often. I have no problem holding back BM's so don't think my sphincter muscles are being harmed by the enemas.

We went 2 hours away from home for 2 nights a few weeks ago. I packed the supplies and gave myself lots of enemas there. It wasn't worth it. I made sure I was cleaned out and held back from eating so was able to attend the concert, at the Surf Ballroom, for 5 hours. I was able to enjoy the concert but it wasn't worth all the effort before and after. It was at a lake that we've frequented for 30 years. I wasn't able to do anything in or on the water. I could just look at the lake from the motel windows and feel sorry for myself and my husband because he to kayak alone.

Do any of you need or formerly needed to have multiple enemas daily? If so, do you ever have times that you don't need to do them? What was/is the problem(s) with your pouch?

I posted about this here as I have chronic pouchitis - which is what I'm assuming is the problem with the efferent side closing up.

6/17/155:15 AM

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SpookyMember

TE Marie,

I'm not an expert on enemas but it is not uncommon for GIs/surgeons do recommend daily tap water enemas to patients with chronic pouchitis, especially if it is felt that fecal stasis is a contributing factor. I have also read about tap water enemas being prescribed to those with stricture to help with the emptying process, particularly if the stool is very thick and contributing to straining. Since they appear to be prescribed often enough, that would suggest to me that there is no risk that outweighs the benefit of this type of enema, if it is being administered properly. Maybe someone else here (Jan? ) can weigh in on this topic.

6/17/152:52 PM

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Scott FMember

It's important to try to resolve whatever is causing the problem, if possible. Dilations may have to be done more frequently than you'd like, and opiates or loperamide may be exacerbating the problem, even though serving an important purpose.

6/17/153:11 PM

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TE MarieMember

Thanks Spooky and Scott. I don't think I have a stricture that I can personally dilate as I use canasa daily which means I use my finger to insert the suppository. Is it considered stricture as one of the "owl's eyes" is inflamed so much it's closed? I thought a stricture was a narrowing caused by scaring?

Last year I told my GI that I had to use tap enemas sometimes and he said that was okay as it isn't good for stool to stay in the pouch too long. I didn't talk to him in February as I asked to be seen right away by anyone. A week later a different GI did the pouchoscope and balloon dilation. This time he wants me to wait until he can see me.

It sounds like hurting my pouch. I have been taking Norco for over 4 years so it's not like I just started taking it. I don't think that is the reason why it needs dilating. It is just worse pain than I had previously and I will not take more that the daily maximum. I hate taking the dicyclomine as it blurs my vision so only take it when the pain becomes unbearable. The stool isn't thick either. It becomes so if I don't use the water - which is more painful. I use to take lopermide daily in addition to the Norco.

I'm tired of dealing with all of this. I don't want to loose my pouch.

6/18/152:17 PM

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