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Suppository or Enema???

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 11/3/2011 5:19 PM (GMT 0)
Do Canasa suppositories work as well as Rowasa enemas??

Can you please tell me your experience with using either of these products...

My husband has been using Rowasa and it is working well but he can't imagine using enemas

for another month and was thinking of using the Canasa instead.

He is also on Asacol and the dr wants him to use enemas for another month.

He has Proctitis.

Thanks so much!

Posted 11/3/2011 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
Rowasa worked fantastic for me and helped put me into a great remission for a long time. I would not do anything to jeopardize that, I hate enema's too!
Posted 11/3/2011 5:29 PM (GMT 0)
I have had luck with both Rowasa and Canasa. I think it depends where the inflamation is located. If it is right near the end of the rectum, canasa can be very helpful. If it covers a larger area, Rowasa will help more. One thing for me, I can retain the suppositories much better, this can be helpful if you're unable to retain an enema. As far as use, I find the suppositories much easier.
Posted 11/3/2011 8:37 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't used the suppositories but I do use the Rowasa enemas. I don't think any of us that use them like them or enjoy them but they keep us well. At some point your husband can just be on a maintenance dose and not have to do them nightly. Since I am doing well I wouldn't change but thats just me.
Posted 11/4/2011 7:55 AM (GMT 0)
Canasa isn't a replacement for what the enemas can do...and I don't think your husband is at that point yet.

I think he just needs to tough it out and deal with the inflammation appropriately, and when he's tapering to use the supps on the non-enema days....then use the supps nightly (or daily), and then taper down on those if he cares to.

Patience.....

I don't think the supps are treatment, more maintenance.

q
Posted 11/4/2011 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with everyone else. Canasa suppositories will only treat a small of your rectum.. If your uc goes further up the colon, it is useless. The mesalamine enemas are worth it and put me into remission from a nasty flare. I take 12 asacol a day in addition. When I am flaring badly, I use the enemas nightly. As i get better, every other night works. I have never been able to go to every third night during this flare.
Posted 11/4/2011 6:27 PM (GMT 0)
I have lower rectal inflammation and my GI thinks that Canasas work better because they melt over that area. I think enemas work better. But here is my thing. I like a shot of topical mesalamine every day so if I forget the enema I use the suppository in the a.m.

Both are my friends.
Posted 11/4/2011 7:55 PM (GMT 0)
I also use both. I jumped on the enema bandwagon after Quincy suggested it. Seems to be doing the trick!
Posted 11/4/2011 8:06 PM (GMT 0)
The enemas work way better.
Posted 11/5/2011 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
If he is on Asacol and that is also treating inflammation than using a suppository can just get the tail end of the colon- where he needs it.
If anyting goes awry than I will get him back on the enemas but I would hope the Asacol would also be working.

He is doing much better- symptom free and no blood or diarrhea...so if all continues this way we will be good otherwise I will switch him back to enemas if his symptoms return!

Thanks- all your suggestions are always helpful!
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