If it is working, then you should be able to retain it a little longer each time, but if you are very inflamed, then it can be a real struggle. You could ask about proctofoam, which is supposedly easier to retain than the liquid, or even the suppositories.

Last resort, a short course of prednisone could get you back on track, then you could try the topical to really beat it down.

If you cannot retain the rectal method long enough, it is a wasted effort. It might help to know that most of the drug is absorbed in about 3-4 hours. So, even with 30 min, you are getting some benefit.

Jan

quote:

Has anyone had the same issue???

Van,

When I still had my colon and UC flares almost constantly, I was prescribed medicinal enemas and instructed to hold it overnight. Cant remember what it was. Possibly cortenema.

Anyway, I had the same problem as you. If I could hold anything overnight, I would not have needed the cortenema in the first place!

Kind of like a catch-22. I was lucky to be able to hold it for a few minutes, let alone hours.

Opiate pain killers helped me hold it longer, but the doctor was concerned that the dangers of taking opiates during a UC flare outweighed the benefits, so he pretty quickly put me back on oral prednisone.

Cortifoam (or any of the foam products) tend to be easier to retain).

I just filled a prescription for cortifoam at cvs. Sit down, $288 dollars one tube! My insurance deductible has not kicked in yet.