Please advise on my use of Canasa....

I started a new topic although I have been here before with my Canasa saga.

I have used the Canasa every night for 2 weeks.  I did not take anything else for one week and then found it necessary to take Imodium a couple days (twice) so I could go out to run errands, etc.

With Imodium I am fine for a couple days - still little blood with bm in morning is all.

Now I was able to stay home for two days.  This is what I have now.  I take probiotic Align every day and some days yogurt drink.  I use the Canasa once a night as prescribed.

Little cramping or more just discomfort low in colon during day.  First thing in morning I expel remnants of Canasa first with no stool or blood.  Next I have better formed bm with blood first (dark red, mucous or threading looking - not bleeding).  I may have one more fairly normal bm and then ok for the rest of the day UNLESS I overeat all at once - then I have urgency but only one bm.

I have tried to call gastro doc office many times - either no answer, busy or left on hold forever.  I guess I better try again next week.

I do think probiotics are helping digestion and certainly diarrhea but not the blood issue.  I need to get this better so I can have knee surgery. 

Anything anyone can suggest short of talking to doc - like fiber, certain food, why some take Omega 3, etc.

Thanks.

Bellski - I was prescribed one Canasa at bedtime.  Nothing else.  Doctor mentioned that if that did not work (told me day of colonoscopy) "we" would try something else.

After two weeks I still have bleeding each morning and just want to get healed so I can have knee surgery.  Wondering what others do to help - read where fiber is not good and then where fiber IS good.  I am confused. Last time I tried eating high fiber or taking fiber supplements I had so much gas, pain and diarrhea I had to quit.

 My appointment with gastro doc is not for 3 more weeks.  I was hoping to do better by now and not have to take Imodium so much.

I don't understand how you can take use the suppositories in the morning.  I have to lay down for at least an hour.  Do you get up early and go back to bed? I do retain them all night but what a mess in the morning!

Thanks for your reply and maybe I can get the gastro doc on the phone one day this week or his nurse.

ElaineNY

My gastro doctor just called to ask how I was doing.  When I told him,  he said "good".  He also told me all serious causes were ruled out as far as infection, etc.from the colonoscopy lab tests, etc.

I see him in two weeks.  He said if the bleeding was about same, etc. he would probably put me on short burst of prednisone (which I don't like the idea of) and then probably Asacol and stay with the Canasa.  Does that sound reasonable.  He infered that my UC was on the mild side and easily controlled and I should be able to have the knee replacement before summer is over!  I sure hope so.

Elaine