Canasa, heartburn/acid reflux?

Hi--

I am pretty new to the group, and to UC, really.  I was diagnosed in March, with a mild case of UC/proctitis.  Started taking Asacol (3x2/day) and was fine until about a month ago, when I started having a flare.  Went back to my GI last week, and she increased the Asacol to 4x3/day, and put me on Canasa suppositories.  I used my first Canasa tonight, and 3 hours afterwards, in the middle of the night, woke up with a burning sensation at the base of my throat.  I was able to go back to sleep for a couple of hours, but woke again when the burning sensation seemed to have spread downwards.  Now it feels like this burning thing is rolling, from upper abdomen maybe, through chest, to base of throat.  It feels like I need to burp or something to get rid of it, but it doesn't really feel like it's coming from the same place that burps typically do.  It almost feels like gas is filling up my chest/abdominal cavity, trying to get out.

I have never had heartburn or acid reflux before.  Is this what it feels like?  Is there a general link between UC and heartburn/acid reflux?  Could it be from the Canasa, so immediately?  It's really uncomfortable.

Thanks for any and all feedback.

Tusmom

Have you taken any Tums or Rolaids? If so, did they help? If not, see if it helps with it and if it does then it can be from heartburn/acid reflux. Regardless if it helps or not, definately call your doc to see what he/she thinks.

I just recently started having troubles with acid reflux. about 2 years ago, my GI put me on Prilosec because I would have my dinner and I would get extremely nauseas, my stomach would start to hurt and I had a painful lump like feeling in my throat/chest area. Since starting Prilosec, I don't have that problem anymore.

Yes, it could be the Canasa or any 5-ASAs.  I say that from experience - recently.  I also have a mild case according to doc.  I have tried Colazal, Canasa, Rowasa, Lialda and proctofoam.  ALL 5-ASAs that I have taken I had to quit and one of the BIG side effects was the gas building up just like you explained.  Felt like I would pop especially in the night. I take Prilosec for GERD and also have a hiatel hernia and this is a little different and more painful!  GasX will help but eventually I had to stop all melasamine medications.

I just talked with my NP - she will talk to doc and I will probably have to go see him and find out what is next. 

Call your doctor. Good luck!

ElaineNY

One more question (one my GP sub couldn't answer): is there a general association between UC and reflux?  Is it that the diseases may be associated, or that the meds for one produce the other?

Hi Tusmom,

     I'm on a myriad of meds.  Suffered with UC for ten years.  In this last flare since April and just can't seem to get out of it.  Worse today as I have been off prednisone for two weeks but now have to go back on it again...bummer.  When I am on prednisone, the doctor prescribes Nexium for me.  I believe your heartburn is do to the bump up in Asacol.  I really don't think it is from the Canasa suppository.  I don't think the suppository gets up that far.  Then, that is only my opinion.