suppository question

So I've been taking Canasa nightly.

Still having trouble. Sometimes bleeding, sometimes no. Always constipation.

Dr did a blood test for inflammation and it said no inflammation. So he says that it is a hemorrhoid and IBS. Which I'm not sure I believe because I always have a lot more trouble when I have a cold. I generally only have extra blood and mucus separate from a stool about once a week.

So he prescribed hydrocortisone acetate for 7 days. But he didn't say weather or not I should take the Canasa also. Should I continue taking the Canasa also? Can I take it at the same time as the hydrocortisone acetate.

When did you last have a scope, either colonoscopy or sig-scope? Inflammation would show visually there and if it's been a while you should consider having one done. Otherwise yes it could be hemorrhoids. Have you been given a diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis? Without either visual, biopsy or blood-test confirmation of inflammation they will call it IBS and treat it that way.

I recently found something that has helped my hemmies, it's made by Burt's Bees called Res-Q Ointment, external application. Canasa could help too but I can't answer whether you should do Canasa along with hydrocortisone. Call and ask the nurse who will ask the doctor and give you an answer by return call.

Also consider taking Citrucel or Metamucil or similar and drink a lot a water daily to help constipation. Most of us have to manage that one way or another. My colon does not like much insoluble fiber although other people do OK with it. You'll have to see if fiber (and what type) is good or bad for you by testing it and keeping notes.

Since you have a UC diagnosis you should be using mesalamine enemas (Rowasa) at the end of your 7 day hydro enemas. If your doctor says no then find another doctor with a better support staff, the nurse is your first responder and should be very responsive. If she is slow it could be the doctor or an overworked office or she's not good at her job.

Mesalamine enemas are used nightly until your symptoms are under control, then every other night until you don't need them. But with hemmies you should also be treating them too. As I mentioned the ointment (Dr. Burt's Res-Q) has worked for me but ask your GI if there is anything beyond the hydro enemas for hemmies. Steroids should only be used short term whereas mesalamine enemas can be used every night and then Canasa supps. during the day.

Good luck. I think you're doing right by cutting back on fiber for now.
Call and ask for an Rx for Rowasa, that should not require an office visit. If he says no start dialing for a better GI.

Thanks for the reply. I was wondering how accurate the blood work would show. I will likely have another scope with if the hydrocortisone acetate doesn't work I'm guessing. ;(

The thing with the Rowasa is that my insurance won't cover it. So I'd rather not pay the hundreds of dollars if I don't have to.

And I agree about the nurse. The problem is that I have already switched drs twice in the last year. And I like the way this dr treats. I think the nurse is new. And I'm sure others have complained from the way that she has phrased things a few times. I'm hoping to wait her out. I'm betting she gets the hang of it or gets fired.

Thanks for your responses, the certainly give me something to think about.

Wow, that's weird that you can get Canasa covered but not Rowasa (or generic). I pay for my generic Rowasa because I have a high deductible and it's $260/30 enemas. Recently I got an Rx for Canasa and when I heard the price I said forget it ($700 is what I heard) so I got it from Canada for $49.

Point is that Canasa costs a lot more than generic mesalamine enemas and I would follow up with questions for your insurance because if they cover Canasa there's no reason not to cover Rowasa or it's generic.

Of course it wasn't a hemorrhoid. Surprise! Surprise! Lucky me!

But I did do some extra poking around and insurance covers the mesalamine enema. I don't know why that didn't come up originally, stupid pharmacy!!!

Thank you soooo much notsosicklygirl. I wouldn't have even thought to go back and check up some more if you hadn't mentioned it. This is a huge blessing to me.

Now lets just hope it works.

Thank you so much for that info.