"Mild Proctitis" - Canasa helpful tips??

Hi all,

Just had a colonoscopy the other day where the doctor said he found "very mild" proctitis (just in the rectum - though I suppose you all already know that) and nothing else of concern. Not sure if it's chronic or acute but the doc prescribed me Canasa suppositories to start.

I've been reading some other posts on this forum related to Canasa, but wanted to ask if anyone had tips on how to best to "do" these suppositories and how quickly they tend to start helping. I'm terribly nervous about the whole affair as I've never had to take medications this way and have a low pain tolerance. If it helps, I'm male.

Is it just uncomfortable? How's best to put it in, the shower, on your left side in bed? Any tips on what would make it easier would be very very very much appreciated.

Hi Mauxley,

I found it very easy to insert Canasa while sitting in the toilet, my last trip before bed. If you have inflammation it might be a little uncomfortable at first but as it starts to work it will get better. Relaxing as much as possible will make inserting easier.

Some find it helpful to warm it a bit between your fingers to soften it, some like it a little cooler (soothing on the inflammation).
The bottom edge can be smoothed out, as it can be a little jagged and scratchy.

I experienced some gas during use but nothing unbearable. Your morning bathroom trip you'll probably notice a greasy white film in the toilet. That's just the part that didn't get absorbed.

Everyone is different in relief of symptoms. I hope it helps you quickly.

Good q! I just do what feels like to first knuckle-ish!?!

Once you get it in to a certain spot it just gets sucked in to where it will wind up. At that point it goes where it goes.

I definitely agree with using your thumbnail to shave off the jagged edge at the bottom of the suppository. If it comes back before it's had time to break down, that edge hurts. I have no idea why it isn't smooth. I had hemorrhoids when I started using Canasa and needed a little lubricant to get it in. Sometimes I'd use a little Preparation H as the lube so it could work on my hemorrhoids while helping me get the suppository in. I agree once you get it in the right place, your body kind of pulls it in. You can tell if it's not in far enough because you'll feel it more than you should...especially if you didn't remove that jagged edge.

In terms of how long it took to work, my doctor told me to do one at night and one in the morning for 2-3 weeks...then switch to one at night. I noticed improvement around the end of the first week and was much better off at the end of the 3 weeks. I still use the practice of inserting two per day if I'm having urgency issues. It doesn't happen often for me as my problems are higher up the ladder. In fact, I rarely use Canasa these days. It doesn't reach very far and is useless for anything beyond the rectum.

Thanks for all the tips!

Successfully did the deed last night - felt uncomfortable and wasn't sure it was going to stay in but eventually fell asleep and that was that!

Did feel a little greasy/moist between the cheeks, like as if some of the waxy casing may have leaked out as it was melting, has anyone else discovered this?