Nooooooooo!!!!!

My wise old GI used to say not to judge my condition by one incident, but look for the "trend." Still, I have been where you are, "Noooooo!"

I would continue the canasa. Maybe taper it down to see how few times a week I could do it and still have no symptoms, but... I wouldn't stop it. Do you have some, or do you need to call for more? If you talk to him I'd ask if there's a particular reason he thinks you should stop.
Some people think rectal meds are the worst things we can do and they hasten to relieve of that burden - but symptoms are a much worse burden!!

     I've suffered with UP for over eleven years.  My GI doctor has me on cort enemas and Canasa.  He also switched me from Asacol to Colazal (generic form) ten years ago.  Colazal has a slower release form that treats the rectal area better than Asacol.   Ask your doctor about it.

I agree that it was odd to be taken off the canasa. It's my opinion that the dr is just trying to get me away from having to shove things up where they don't belong. I sure don't like it but it beats the bleeding. He did instruct me to start back on canasa if I saw any blood, I've followed his directions.

Asacol seems to be fairly ineffective, and it makes sense that since mesalamine is topical rather than systemic and my problem being what it is the suppository will work much better.

I understand that some people use canasa 1g about once every day or even once every two. Maybe that would work. I'm going to call the Dr tomorrow and see what's next. It's just very disheartening. Trying my best to whip this thing.

When I was first diagnosed my UC was really low left sided and my doctor had me on the mesalamine enemas only. Now that things are higher I do orals. So, yeah not too sure why your doc took you off the rectals. Seems to me that you should always do rectals to me! :o)

No, no, no, no! I'm in remission, and I'm on meds. I think to be considered in remission, you should be off pred, as it's NOT considered a maintenance med, and shouldn't be used as such anyway.  It's VERY important to stay on maintenance meds with UC, even when it's in remission...if you don't, you risk it getting out of control!

I don't think you get it yet Dan.....remission isn't achieved in 3 doses of Canasa and Asacol...

Irritated? no, inflamed.

Should you wait for bleeding before using meds....no...not all have bleeding. Once bleeding starts, things are much more fragile at that point.

Yeah, it sucks, you learn to keep going with understanding how to use the meds, BOTH oral and rectal. They are both topical, and cover the entire colon with a purpose...to maintain its present state of location and lower rather than spreading upward.

Regarding the suppositories, they should be tapered...nightly or daily or twice a day till normal...then use them for at least another week and start a tapering process.

REmission would be considered true when one is tapering to a maintenance dosage and remains there...one doesn't have to go off the meds.

It's all trial and more trial...eventually it makes sense.

q

constipation is a symptom of a flare, low in the rectum inflammation.

Yes, more common for lots of bms, looser to diarrhea...depends on how high the inflammation is.

You should stay on the asacol...how many are you taking?

The suppositories should be used for at least 2 weeks nightly and then tapered to every second night for the same, then every three..etc.

Many of us don't feel very mild inflammation. Not to say you haven't healed...just don't assume you aren't having inflammation.

Your doctor didn't mention tapering....OK....from experience, I'm mentioning a new aspect to that thinking. Worth trying since it's YOUR butt and you're the one having to deal with your UC.

Experience is the only teacher anyway....but do realise that limited rectal UC (UP) is sometimes the most difficult to treat.

Make those butt meds your best friend.....lol. Your doc may have the aversion...he's the one looking up everyone else's butts.

Oh, and if you do get worse, you could double the supps or request a higher dosage med of the retention enemas.

Do consider probiotics....

Heal well.
quincy

I couldn't do the 3x daily meds either from the start because of my personal sleep/eating schedule....my doc wrote the prescription for twice daily.

I started at 4 and increased to 6 within a few months. It's been my treatment and maintenance dosage. I only increased to 8 daily for about 6 months maybe 6 years ago.

It's a "low" dosage but considering your UC is limited, 6 is a good place to be and use the rectals to treat your flares.
My flares are limited and I treat quickly at the first symptoms, increasing the enemas and tapering to maintenance. I'm soon to be tapering to every 4.

The documented probiotics seem to be VSL#3 and Culturelle, and Garden of Life touts focus for CD. I'd never take the GOL. I don't buy the theory.

I use others...as listed in my signature. I would suggest that rhamnosus, plantarum, reuteri and longum be on the list if active ingredients.

We all try different ones. I've changed a few times, but all seem to have good success.

I take them at bedtime about an hour or two after my meds.

q