Hydrocortisone enema as maintenance?

[Fishncowboy]

i am are trying to figure out if it's possible for me to stay in remission by using an occasional (say twice a week) hydrocortisone enema. I have crohn's colitis, and the cortenema is my best friend, very effective.

But we all know that ideally you don't stay on prednisone for long. Of course, the enema is a BIT different, it's not quite as systemic as oral prednisone.

But anyways, is there anyone else who does this?.... I'm on AZA and colazol, and I can't get the aza dose up high enough... I'm processing it too quickly. So far, a combination of aza, colazol, and the cortenema seems to be working.... does anyone else use a hydrocortisone enema on a routine basis?

My GI seems to think that it may be okay to do it once/twice a week, but I'm wondering if anyone else out there does this?

 

[Trysha]

My GI said I could not use the cortifoam forever---I had been using it as you have. He said although the uptake is small, it is real and should not be used as the sole medication.
So now I have started the pathway to Remicade reluctantly.
I did find the cortifoam successful but not a long term solution.
The GI said it needs for the Crohns to be forced into remission and to choose either Remicade or Humira. I prefer an infusion every two months as compared to the humira
self administered injections twice weekly. My real preference is nothing at all but that is not going to happen----it would be a dangerous pathway to take.
Feel better soon
Hugs and best wishes
Trysha

 

[Keepingfaith]

My GI has told me countless times that cortisone enemas/suppositories can't be used long term I know what you mean though about the relief. The hydrocortisone suppositories are the only things that give me relief but since they can't be used long term, I just cycle on and off them. You could talk about doing a mainetenance enema with your GI. I know they can RX them because I've tried the suppositories and have friends who do the enemas. They are meslamine. They never worked for me(no medication has though)so I don't use them.

Over time the hysrocortisone will thin the lining of your lower colon and that in its self will cause rectum bleeding. When stool starts 'exiting' out it will rub against the thin tissue and cause irritation/blood.

 

[David]

How about a Budesonide enema? Still corticosteroid but supposedly even less side effects.