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Canasa dosage/tapering?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 9/28/2016 4:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hi!

The accumulated wisdom on this forum is amazing so I thought I would pose these questions.

For 6 months or so I have had good luck with maintaining remission of my UP with Visbiome and Mutaflor. I think I started a flare on Friday, so I restarted my 1000mg Canasa suppository before I saw any bleeding. I kept my dosage of the Visbiome and Mutaflor since they have pretty solid, double blind studies about their efficacy. They also really manage the side effects of the Canasa.

My questions are, after I finish the 30 day course of the suppositories, is it OK to start tapering to a few times a week with the Canasa? Or should I just return to maintenance with the probiotics? Does the use of Canasa as a maintenance drug help prevent the UP from becoming a full UC? (I get that UP is a type of UC, but localized.)

My concern is that I will have to 'level up' to another drug that isn't a suppository or probiotic if my body gets 'used to' the Canasa suppository. (Not sure how dumb that sounds. I still have so many questions and things I am unsure about with this!)

Any insight the group can provide would be most welcome. My GI doctor seems to be relying on the "we don't know," answer to any questions I have for her. I am shopping for a new one.

So great to be able to share these questions! Thanks in advance.
Posted 9/28/2016 11:44 AM (GMT 0)
I'd continue canasa as an ongoing maintenance medication for your UP, as that's the best way to keep your symptoms stable, reduced odds of spreading, and reduces your odds of getting colorectal cancer.
Posted 9/28/2016 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
What exactly would be the side effects of canasa that you have....or is this just something you read?
The side effects could very well be that you arent on enough rectal medication.

Why do you put 30 days on the time of using them nightly? You may need them longer. You can also use them twice daily.

What exactly are your symptoms?

q
Posted 9/29/2016 1:54 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Quincy,

Thanks so much for your reply. This is a wonderfully supportive community!

My symptoms are pretty mild right now. (Actually after 2 days on the Canasa I have almost no symptoms at all.) Before I restarted the suppositories I had some appetite loss, gas and diarrhea. I haven't had any blood since October 2015. (Thank goodness!) And I felt absolutely bionic over the spring and summer on just the Visbiome and Mutaflor. One to two regular BMs between 9 and 11AM each morning and a completely normal life.

Then work started at the end of August...I medicated the stress with sugary coconut milk ice cream and GF baked goods. (As of today, that is what I am blaming for the flare! Who knows why it really starts.)

After restarting 1000mg of Canasa in the evening I am back to 1 BM in the morning and not much else but appetite loss going on.

The side effects of the Canasa for me have been headaches and tenesmus (sp?) pretty badly and fatigue. I wanted to go as natural as possible with the probiotics and diet.

30 days was the dosage for the last time I was bleeding in 2015. I met with my (outgoing) GI doctor today and she said to try the Canasa every other day along with the probiotic for maintenance. I didn't realize, if necessary, I could take the 1000mg Canasa 2x a day.

There is so much hit and miss with this and I am still scared.
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