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When do you use suppositories vs enema?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/23/2018 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
I have both Canasa and Rowasa. I'm wondering which do you all use for what symptoms.

I know Canasa is more the rectum and Rowasa works up further but which symptoms are better tackled by which medicine?
Posted 4/23/2018 6:38 PM (GMT 0)
The only difference is dosage and distance covered. Both treat the same, exact symptoms. Rowasa is 4.0-grams of anti-inflammatory mesalamine that travels up the entire left-side. Canasa is 0.5-grams or 1.0-gram of anti-inflammatory mesalamine that coats the rectum.

If you have both then you can use both for extra affect. Like rowasa at night and canasa within the am.
Posted 4/23/2018 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
What exactly are your symptoms at this time? What medications are you on at this time?
q
Posted 4/23/2018 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
I don't really want to get into my other UC meds at the moment but my symptoms have been bright red blood on TP (not noticeable in bowl) for ~2 weeks, and this morning's BM had a lot of blood in the bowl. I've been alternating the two, Rowasa at night and Canasa during the day as iPoop suggested, but it doesn't seem to be doing it.

So I'm thinking of doubling down on one of them but I'm not sure which might be more beneficial
Posted 4/24/2018 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
"I'm not sure which might be more beneficial"

That's like asking which side of your dock is better to fish off of? Both sides are good smile

Try two rowasa a day for a while as that's the most bamg-for-the-buck. That's 4.0-grams times two. If that's not enough then you need steroid enemas/foams/enemas.
Posted 4/24/2018 1:24 AM (GMT 0)
Well the beneficial effects would depend on where the inflammation is located. If it's around the rectum then the enema won't be very effective since it travels farther up, and if the inflammation is more widespread than a suppository won't help.

So one is better than the other depending on the situation. I guess I just don't know where my symptoms fit. I suppose that aside from this morning BM, my bleeding was minimal so it's safe to assume my rectum is inflamed more than the rest of the colon at the moment so maybe the suppositories twice a day would be best where as if you bleed heavily and have a lot of urgency and god forbid those horrible pains, an enema is of better service twice a day?
Posted 4/24/2018 2:02 AM (GMT 0)

GidHike said...
Well the beneficial effects would depend on where the inflammation is located. If it's around the rectum then the enema won't be very effective since it travels farther up

Yes, it helps, and it doesnt skip the lower part of the rectum. You just make sure it's covered. Use a suppository during the day.

You didn't answer exactly your stool consistency and how often you're going.

q
Posted 4/24/2018 2:26 AM (GMT 0)
quincy, what do you mean by make sure it's covered?

Sorry, consistency is normal. Going about 4 times a day. Basically just minimal blood and two BMs more than normal. I will try going suppository-only for a bit smile Thanks
Posted 4/24/2018 3:29 AM (GMT 0)
You are better to use both...

When you start to squeeze the enema fully in....draw it back to the bottom of the rectum and squeeze, then push it back up.

Explain exactly why it's not cutting it.....how long nightly on the regimen of enemas and supps during the day?

q
Posted 4/24/2018 5:30 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on the two since the mild bleeding started about 2 weeks ago. It hasn't alleviated the bleeding
Posted 4/24/2018 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
Two weeks is a high expectation....have you gotten worse or improved? Let the meds do their thing.
I have enough experience to say it can takes months....
Patience....you are flaring, and bleeding is not the only determiner of that fact. Once the bleeding stops, you will still have inflammation to deal with. Your stool consistency and frequency will also change.

Stay on them for another few weeks and keep in touch with your symptoms.

Curious if you were constipated any time before these symptoms started?

q
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