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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/6/2011 2:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all, it's me again, MyUC. 

I just have one simple question in regards to rectal meds in general.  I am using Canasa suppositores because on my last scope the GI doc found a small patch of inflammation in my rectum, all else was good.  I am not used to using rectal meds although I like the concept of them.  I like the idea of using a medication directly on the area that needs help. 

My question is this.  I place the suppository at night and go to bed.  I don't ever use the bathroom at night once I go to bed other than going #1 if I had a lot to drink right before bedtime.  Meaning no #2 at night and I never have a problem retaining my suppository.  The next day whether in the morning or in the evening I have a BM. 

I feel as if the first part of my bm is the canasa material which is a little softer than a normal bm so it exits a little quicker.  Sorry if I grossed anyone out on that.  Then what will follow is a completely formed and solid bm.  So, is that common?  I feel like I am getting rid of the canasa material first and then I feel normal stool?  Am I missing something?  I just wanted some feedback on this. 

Thanks in advance for your help.

MyUC

Posted 1/6/2011 2:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hey MyUC.

I never noticed that when using Canasa. Sure, it did exit with the first part of the stool as evidenced by white powdery splotches around the front. But I never noticed it making the stool softer at the beginning. I have noticed that an enema makes the whole stool softer, not just the beginning, but not a suppository.

Posted 1/6/2011 2:42 PM (GMT 0)

Levi:

Thanks for the reply.  Let me be a little more clearer.  I am not a big fan of closely examining my stool like some of us here on this site like to do.  I will if I have to but as a rule I don't like to nor care to.  I am not sure if it making the stool softer.  I just notice a slight difference in consisitency when I have my bm.  When I don't use the canasa (I use it every other day or 2-3 times a week) I really don't notice this happening.  However when I do use, my next bm starts with what I am imagining to be the canasa material then the normal stool follows.  Does that make sense to anyone?

MyUC

Posted 1/6/2011 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
I'm pretty sure I understand you, but this is still not my experience. The only difference between an on/off night with Canasa might be a little liquid Canasa coming out first before the stool, which is very obviously due to the suppository. I've never noticed a change in stool consistency. And from your last sentence it sounds light you may be thinking the medicine isn't being absorbed and too much may be coming out. Is this right?

If that is what you are saying, I've never noticed that either. I usually have very little evidence of the Canasa left over.
Sorry I couldn't be more help or if I misunderstood your concern. .
Posted 1/6/2011 2:59 PM (GMT 0)

Yes Levi, I think you got what I am saying.  I am assuming all the medication is not being absorbed and it's coming out.  I guess that can be a good thing.  It was small patch of inflammation, not a large one.  about 50 cm just into the rectum.  So if it's not absorbed then it might just come out the next day before the stool?  I realize that you don't experience this but I really appreciate your replies.  Don't think you didn't help, it helped put things into perspective.

MyUC

Posted 1/6/2011 3:12 PM (GMT 0)
I have another question: If the inflammation is 50cm, what is it 50 cm from? If 50cm from the usual datum/starting point, that would be in the sigmoid, not the rectum...???
Posted 1/6/2011 3:32 PM (GMT 0)

No, not exactly.  When I say 50 cm I don't mean in relation to anything other than the actual patch itself.  I don't mean 50 cm from any point.  I mean the entire patch from the start to the ending of the patch of inflammation is 50 cm at it's largest in terms of length.  My GI doc said it started at the earliest point from the anus leading right into the rectum.  I asked him specifically about Rowasa so that it could go higher up but he was clear.  It didn't need to go that high by any means and the Canasa should hit dead on because it's right where a suppository should go.  I hope that explains it.  I appreciate your follow up.

MyUC

Posted 1/6/2011 4:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I have used Canasa in the past, when I had proctitis only. After 4 years, it turned into pancolitis... Anyway, I just wanted to mention that the whitish, softer stuff that comes out first is a remnant of the suppository. I also had that, followed by a normal stool. I don't think you eliminate the Canasa, it probably helps a lot during the night, it covers the inflammation, and that must be a residue that you eliminate the next day. You should be fine, don't worry.

Best,
RT
Posted 1/6/2011 5:01 PM (GMT 0)
I have this too. Sometimes it looks like the Canasa is coating the stool as well. Sorry for the gross description. I try not to look too much...
Posted 1/6/2011 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
Doesn't really change my stool from form to soft but I can sometimes see it in my stool. Almost as if it didn't fully break down into liquid form. I use those now with nightly enemas for my UP and the enemas work so much better IMO.
Posted 1/6/2011 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
It's never absorbed in the way you think it should as if it's a cream that goes into the skin.

The medication will do its thing, and the product it's in will remain liquidyish...lol.

I have the enemas in my stool or around it or it comes out alone before I may have a bm...all depends on where the stool is sitting when I put in the enema and whether it travels to the area where the emema long before I'm having a bm.

Regarding the suppository, it would definitely come out before, and the softness of the stool wouldn't even be a concern to me, but it's better than having a hard poo...which to me means you're improving.

All sounds normal to me...at least from what I experienced from using the Salofalk supps.

q
Posted 1/6/2011 5:43 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks everyone.  That's a sincere thank you by the way.  I appreciate the feedback and it simpley makes me feel better knowing that a bunch of uc experts say don't worry.  I even had Q chime in at the end.  She is the authority of rectal meds so that's a double plus.  Happy New Year and I will just keep plugging away.

turn

MyUC

Posted 1/6/2011 5:57 PM (GMT 0)
I guess the plugging away was an unintended pun? lol. I'll mostly comment...depending, although I don't on all rectal med stuff.

Don't worry so much about a softer stool...think about urgency and frequency and the consistency of them (not meaning the formation, but the time relation).

you're back to once a day bms...better than every 3 days.. if you go back to every 2 or 3 days...I still lean to inflammation. So, that's a symptom that can lead you to recognising something's happening and you should get back to nightly supps.

q
Posted 1/6/2011 6:08 PM (GMT 0)

quincy said...
I guess the plugging away was an unintended pun? lol. I'll mostly comment...depending, although I don't on all rectal med stuff.

Don't worry so much about a softer stool...think about urgency and frequency and the consistency of them (not meaning the formation, but the time relation).

you're back to once a day bms...better than every 3 days.. if you go back to every 2 or 3 days...I still lean to inflammation. So, that's a symptom that can lead you to recognising something's happening and you should get back to nightly supps.

q

I was thinking the same about the pun comment. :-)
UC can be a real pain in the butt ! Yes i did it tongue
Posted 1/6/2011 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
BIGTIME!!! amazing how so many things relate to it..lol.
q
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