Can I Use Enemas with Ulcerative Colitis in the Rectum?

I went for my post op last week and I was having pains in my stomach area, and I thought that i was getting a hernia or something.  I saw my surgeon who mentioned to me that she believes that my ulcerative colitis is in my rectum.  I am pissed now.  She told me to talk pentasa enemas everyday for a month at bed time.  My question is....i thought like it was blocked off.  Really i can put something up there like an enema.  First of all who like doing enemas and second like how big is the rectum and is it going to come back out the rectum or my bag.  I dont know...anyone has any input on this....

Hello Family12,  I would think that the answer to your first question is that not many people like doing enemas.  The second question is really two questions. The bit that is left attached to the anus is called the 'rectal stump' and the length would depend upon where the surgeon decided to cut through the colon.  I always imagine my own to be about 9 inches long as that is where my catheter stops when I irrigate it.  THe anal stump is the bit that has been tied off at surgery so it's like an inversed pocket.  The naturally produced mucus continues after surgery so will be present in this area and can cause irritation and other problems if it is not removed. If suppositories (enemas)  work  for you then the results will be passed out of the anus as if you were going for a normal poo.  Suppositories did not work for me so I irrigated for a while until all the nastiest stuff had stopped regenerating itself. This was after about a year!  Nowadays I just get a clear discharge which doesn't bother me so I no longer irrigate and and I catch the clear mucus on an incontinence pad.

Best wishes

 Bill

Hi there. 

Unfortunately Ulcerative Colitis can flare up after having a bowel surgery. If it is localized only to the rectum than it is preferable to treat using the mesalamine (Pentasa) enemas. Because the rectal stump is blocked off-enemas are the best way of getting the medicine on the area. Its ideal to avoid using steroids pills for this, as in the long run they may make your condition worse and harder to treat. That is why your surgeon suggested the Pentasa. Pentasa is not a steroid, but it does reduce the amount of inflammation. Hopefully, after taking it every night for a month, you'll be able to reduce the amount you are using and maybe only use it once a week or if you are having problems. 

If the enema is difficult for you to hold (and you want to try holding it in as long as possible), I've heard that Hydrocortisone Foam (Cortifoam) is easier to use. You would still instill it like an enema but instead of it being liquid its a foam so its easier to retain. That one is a steroid but its being applied locally to the irritated area rather than it affecting your whole body. 

Best of luck in your recovery!

"Nurse" is right ... the foam stuff is the way to go. I had a stump of approx. 6" ... very active UC in there.

Stump was left there to give me options.

Finally had a total protectomy. Problem solved!

this question is for the nurse.  i have a mucosa  fistala.   would that be connected to the 10 inchs of colon i have left?  i hav ea ileostomy.

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