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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/3/2012 1:26 AM (GMT 0)
Does anyone have a solution to excess gas that seems to have worsened with canasa suppositories?
Weenie
Posted 1/3/2012 1:31 AM (GMT 0)
Are you dealing with a mild flare of symptoms? When I flare up, I have excess gas. You may be undertreating your UC. Have you tried any other rectal medication besides Canasa?

The best way to relieve gas is probably to heal the inflammation if it is present.
Posted 1/3/2012 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
I am going in for a anoscopy on Wed and will know the answer then. That is a short colonoscopy. The canasa are the only rectal meds I've tried but am willing to try others. I am on asacol (4 a day). Maybe I do need to do more. Are other rectal meds better, do you think? I could suggest them to the doc and see what he says.
Posted 1/3/2012 2:08 AM (GMT 0)
Depending what the scope shows, you may do better with Rowasa or a cortisone enema if there is moderate inflammation. Canasa works really well for me. Four 400mg Asacol a day is not a lot. Are you taking 400mg or the HD version? Some people with leftsided colitis respond better to Colazal but it sounds like you're doing pretty well aside from the gas?
Posted 1/3/2012 2:52 AM (GMT 0)
I am on the HD asacol. I have left-sided colitis and am doing pretty well. I am going, however, to ask doc about colazal. i don't know why he hasn't mentioned it before. Does it have side effects and/or is it and infusion therapy? If it is infusion I am not eligible for some confusing reasons that I won't go into - into I don't have AIDS or anything!
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Posted 1/3/2012 3:55 AM (GMT 0)
Colazal is very similar to Asacol but it releases lower in the colon which makes it useful for left-sided colitis.

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It's really unfortunate that there aren't more mainstream treatments available for UC. There are some alternatives that may be interesting to you if you look in the resources thread on the top of the fourm main page. It sounds like you're doing pretty well. I bet enemas would relieve the gas. Are you eating gassy foods? If I eat cabbage, forget it!!
Posted 1/4/2012 1:03 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks notsosickly girl. I am going to ask to try the colazal and the enemas instead of suppositories. I don't think diet is the problem.
Posted 1/4/2012 8:34 AM (GMT 0)
I mostly use perrigo mesalamine rectal suspension enemas but do use canasa if needed in the day. Hydrocortisone suppositories too. I notice if my gut starts gurrgling a lot, the gas comes after. I did an enema today, an had gas all day after, it smelt like the mesalamine lol :(
Posted 1/8/2012 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Cadillac and Notsosickly,
I asked my doc about colazal and he did nt seem to think it was any different from asacol???? Hmmm. He said I could try it if I wanted??I wonder what is up with that. I think I'll call insurance and see if there is a difference in price. Meanwhile, he took me off the suppositories as he saw no colitis or the ulcer that was there before. So, for once (in many years) I am in remission. Still having lots of gas though. Cadillac Lover - when I as on the suppositories, the odor was the worst!
Posted 1/8/2012 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
I take generic Colazal called Balsalazide and it is much less expensive than Asacol which has no generic I believe. I have left-sided UC and take (9) 750mg Balsalazide per day, costs just over $100/month. I have insurance with a high deductible so I pay it all. There is a recent Colazal thread discussing how people are finding it impossible to refill their Colazal Rx's due to manufacturer shortage. Balsalazide has no shortage (I hope).
Posted 1/8/2012 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
weenie, I think it's worth trying different things if what you're using isn't working for you. In your case, it sounds like you're doing great with the exception of gas, I am not sure if I would want to rock the boat in that case. I wonder if the gas is caused by UC or by something else? If you have no signs of UC and you're still having gas, it may be something food related. When I was having symptoms while I was in remission, my GI was questioning whether I had IBS as well as IBD. I hope it's just something food related and it improves quickly. If your symptoms get worse when you stop the suppositories, you can start them again. Many of us use the enemas/suppositories long-term for maintenance. I wish I could stop using them but I have symptoms whenever I stop completely...

I am happy your scope looked good!!

Maybe the Canasa was causing the gas after all..

Posted 1/8/2012 8:48 PM (GMT 0)
Thank words of encouragement! My doc did hint that I might also have IBS. Geez, have we no relief! He said it is common with UC. My asacol is also $100 a month - I also took high deductible to give it a try this time. I will see how I do w/o suppositories - it's only been 3 days. I't's been so nice not doing them! I almost feel normal! But, I know not to get too used to it...
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