Levi

The doc said that based on my symptoms he feels the inflammation is pretty low down and probably hasn't spread past the initial 25cm at my colonoscopy last year. I asked him about the black liquid that I see (even showed him a picture on my phone) and he seemed to not think it was blood. He said it could be part of the colon itself that has been traumatized from the inflammation. He said that if it were blood from higher up, I would in all likelihood be having diarrhea, even though I am only seeing small amounts of the black stuff.

Interestingly, he mentioned that the Rowasa may be largely bypassing my current area of inflammation. He gave me a prescription for Canasa. He said that should reach up around the 25cm mark. I have heard that the enema could reach the splenic flexure, but he said that the Rowasa can actually "pool" around the splenic flexure, indicating large amounts of the enema get there and get stuck. I thought that was very interesting and kind of amazing. He wants to give it two more months minimum before taking more aggressive action, like another colonoscopy.

My only issue is completley stopping the Rowasa. Even if the Canasa does get the inflammed region, I'd still like to get the whole left side once a week or so. I think I'll call about that in a few weeks. I'm wondering you guy's thoughts on this...

Thanks for asking, looking forward to hearing how your appt. and Songladys turns out!

Wow, Levi, very interesting. I'm glad he didn't think the black liquid was blood. I didn't think so, either, but I am not a doc.
I like your idea of continuing the Rowasa once or twice a week..... I have heard that's supposed to be helpful in terms of maintaining remission and redcuing long-term cancer risk, so, to my way of thinking, even if it doesn't do anything about "today's symptoms" it's like money in the bank.
The whole thing about the Rowasa maybe passing by the inflammation and pooling is interesting. The "passing by" I can understand, and Quincy has talked about inserting and squirting a little then backing it out just a tad and doing that again to get the very bottom part......(she can explain better than I) but for those of us less adept, perhaps Canasa is the easier option!
Sounds like a good appointment.... and I'm looking forward to mine next week!

Hey Levi,
So interesting about the Rowasa pooling. I also have that very low inflammation and sometimes still have a little blood and mucus so wondering if this is also an issue for me as well. I do however like the idea of you continuing w. the Rowasa even if once a week. I don't think it could hurt. I like how your doc will give it a while before doing anything aggressive--all and all sounds like a good apt. I'll let you know how mine goes on the 31st. Thanks so much for updating and good luck w/ the canasa.
B