[SOLVED] Using mysql variables and stacking mysql calls

[eluser]Unknown[/eluser]
Is there a way to perform the following in CI?

Code:

$this->db->query('SET @rownum = 0; UPDATE eye_colors SET sort_order = 0; UPDATE eye_colors SET sort_order = @rownum:=@rownum+1 ORDER BY color_name');

This works in phpmyadmin, so I need the CI workaround ... stored proc?

Regards,
Scott.