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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 2/9/2012 9:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone

I have noticed that many of you take Rowasa once a week for maintenance.
I take Canasa nightly and Rowasa when I think I might start a flare. Then taper to nothing. How can something once a week be of benefit?

I have learned so much from every one here.
Thanks
D
Posted 2/9/2012 10:58 PM (GMT 0)
It seems to me that the canasa suppositories treat only the rectum, the rowasa treats further up. Once a week is like added insurance.

Carlie
Posted 2/10/2012 6:00 AM (GMT 0)
The new belief is that twice a week is best for maintenance with the enemas.

q
Posted 2/10/2012 1:04 PM (GMT 0)
I found studies that showed people who used mesalamine enemas twice a week in conjunction with oral meds stayed in remission longer than those who only used oral meds. I didn't find any studies looking at more or less than that, however. Maybe once a week would work...who knows.

At any rate, I think it works to help maintain remission, even only at twice weekly, because they are so much more effective than oral meds at reducing inflammation (and perhaps keeping it at bay).
Posted 2/10/2012 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
I have always had a good response to rectal meds in the past (cortifoam & mesalamine enemas) during a flare to get into remission but it seems that during my current flare they are almost aggravating my rectum and causing me to empty my bowel even more.

Is there a difference between Rowasa and the generic mesalamine enemas?

Is Canasa a steriod suppository?

Is it bad to stop and start the cortifoam all of a sudden because it is a steriod? Does this also need to be tapered?

I took a break from the rectal meds yesterday and actually had a more fully formed stool this morning. Should I just take a break for another few days to see if there is a more positive response? I am currently taking 40mg of Prednisone at night but I am still having 3-4 bloody stools a day plus 4-5 sudden urges to pass gas & some loose 'pebbles'. I've been on 40mg of pred for almost 4 weeks now with very little progress!
Posted 2/10/2012 2:42 PM (GMT 0)
ManhattanMama,

There's not much difference between rowasa and generic mesalamine enemas. The active ingredients are the same, but there are probably differences in the inactive ingredients. It's not unheard of for a person to react poorly to an inactive ingredient, though.

Canasa is a mesalamine suppository, not steroid.

I don't think you have to taper steroid enemas for the same reason you have to taper oral steroids (adrenal shock), but it's not a bad idea to.

The reason for the more fully formed stool when you didn't use an enema could very simply be because you didn't have that extra liquid in your colon. My stools are frequently looser the morning after I use an enema and I am positive that's why.
Posted 2/10/2012 3:54 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the feedback Fruitgirl!

Almost 4 weeks on 40mg of Prednisone and still not getting over this flare. Trying to do everything before going for a Remicade infusion.
Posted 2/10/2012 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
Whenever I go longer than a few weeks or a month without doing an enema, I start to flare. I do them once a week for maintenance...not sure how it works but it does for me! :)
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