HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

canasa question

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
1 2
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 3/10/2008 12:03 PM (GMT -7)
They don't come in 500mg anymore as I recall.

1000mg 3x daily is more than fine. The enemas are 4000 mg and some use them twice daily if necessary.

q
Posted 3/10/2008 12:44 PM (GMT -7)
quincy & KTM...you read it right. I was going to do the canasa just 3 times a week. Will do like you say. How about the asacol. I'm taking 2 three times a day. I take that every day even when not in a flare. I don't taper off of that, I always take it. The Entocort, I love that stuff because it really helps me in a flare, I take 3 every day in a flare for 10 days then taper off of it. My doc said I could try taking the entocort 10 days every month and see if that would help me from flaring up. I really don't want to do that because I'm afraid that if I flare that it won't help me. Thanks for being there and for all your help.
Posted 3/10/2008 4:11 PM (GMT -7)
Rousel - As quincy said - 3x a day is perfectly fine.  I've done it myself on doctors orders - in addition to Rowasa enemas at night.

Lenie - definitely do the supps at least 2x daily and let us know how it goes.  As for the Asacol - I don't use that - but your dose seems pretty low compared to what others are on.  6 a day seems to be a maintenance dose - I believe others here take up to 12 daily when flaring.  But since I am unfamiliar with it - wait for others to pipe up - or ask your doctor.  As for constantly going back on Entocort - isn't that a steroid?  I would try to induce remission without the steroids - first by upping the Asacol and adding in suppositories or enemas.  And if that doesn't work - then go on to adding the steroids.

Posted 3/10/2008 4:28 PM (GMT -7)
Wow! Such great information. It is so very helpful. I have thought a million times and never said it out loud until now: the docs just don't tell you this kind of information, at least mine doesn't.

Quincy--I have been doing 2 canasa's (one in am and one in pm) for about five days now-I've kind of lost track. I plan to keep using them as I can "feel" when having a bm that all is not right coming down. Does that make sense? I suspect that had I done my one or two Canasa's, I'd be having a very sore bottom and possible bleeding by now. I plan on staying on 2/day for at least another 4 days and if there is still that feeling-it's not pain, but just an uncomfortable feeling that is not there when I'm not flaring.

I will ask the GI nurse for the Rowasa or the generic mesalamine suppositories. MAN! 4000mg vs 1000mg is a miracle! THANKS!
Posted 3/10/2008 4:45 PM (GMT -7)
KTM...I will up the Asacol when I see a flare starting. I see others taking 12 a day. I'll also hop right on the Canasa right away. I make the mistake of not getting hold of the flare right away. I think, oh well, maybe this is just something I ate and it will be gone tomorrow. Meanwhile, the next day it's worse. I also made the mistake of stopping everything too soon. I guess that's why it's not a couple of weeks later and I'm into another flare. My doc told me that we just have to find out what will work best for me. I've been three glorious days doing well. I'll keep on everything and taper off slowly. I can't thank you enough for all the great information.
Posted 3/10/2008 4:54 PM (GMT -7)
Glad to help.  It's a learning process for all of us.  The longer you have this stupid disease - the more you learn what works for you.  And of course, having so many others to share their years of experiences - really helps us all!!

Posted 3/10/2008 6:51 PM (GMT -7)
lenie....you can do the Asacol 3 pills twice daily. It's my maintenance dosage, but I treat the flares with the enemas..the asacol stays as is. Only once did I increase to 4 pills twice daily for 4 months..then tapered back down to 6.

I think using the Entocort monthly for 10 days won't do the trick as compared to 5ASA meds....save the Entocort for when you really need it. 5ASA meds long term can definitely work...as well, it's been believed to help protect the colon from cancer...so, that's a beneficial pay-off kind of insurance.

Regarding the Entocort....do you have pancolitis? You could consider to add the "where" your UC is so we don't keep asking you.

If you don't have pancolitis...the Entocort may not be as beneficial.
The 5ASA retention enemas will, however, regardless of if it's limited or throughout.

quincy
Posted 3/10/2008 6:55 PM (GMT -7)
AlabamaBobs...you should stay on the daily/nightly Canasa for at least 2 weeks. Taper the morning one...every two days for a week, every 3 days..etc...

Then stay at the nightly one itself for another week and taper the same process.

You'd definitely do better with the enemas.....use the suppositories for tapering or maintenance.

It took me just over 2 years to get the med regimen figured out...but I don't like the suppositories, so stay with the enemas. I used the suppositories for tapering...finally got the enemas down to a science. Think they're more maintenance than treatment from my perspective.

quincy
Posted 3/10/2008 8:30 PM (GMT -7)
quincy...The reason I didn't put down where my uc is, is because I don't know where my "where" is. When I go back to my doc later this month I'll get more information. I feel the same way about the Entocort, save it for when I really need it. You've been such a big help to me. Thank you.
Posted 3/11/2008 12:55 AM (GMT -7)
Hi lenie, you're most welcome! The entocort is dispursed in the ileum (the last part of the small intestine) and then goes into the colon. I'm just assuming you have cecum involvement or you have pancolitis.

When you see the doc, you can ask for clarification exactly. Actually, you can ask for a copy of your colonoscopy report.

Keep us posted....

Oh, when you talk with your doc...do discuss why he's got you on Entocort and throw the suggestion that you up your asacol to maybe 8 daily, take them twice daily instead of thrice...and get a prescription of the Rowasa enemas.

There are many, many different combinations to use meds, especially the oral/rectal 5ASA and/or steroid topicals. The Entocort is one of many....it takes time to learn how they can work together...trial and error. As I mentioned previously....it took me a few years to get it all worked out. Eventually you'll get how your symptoms relate to treatment, tapering/increasing...etc.

Keep us posted.
quincy
Posted 3/11/2008 7:39 AM (GMT -7)
I took canasa for over a month straight. it helped me some. I needed remicade to go into remission
Posted 3/11/2008 7:13 PM (GMT -7)
Thanks, Quincy! Although I hate the expense of the Canasa, it is worth it's weight in gold if I can find the right format to get into remission and maintain! I will follow the tapering schedule you've suggested. Again, I learn more from this board than the doc! I am so glad you are so willing to help and provide some guidance! THANKS a million!
Posted 3/12/2008 12:10 AM (GMT -7)
Hi...you're most welcome. The initial tapering scheduling was from my doc (the suggestions to try the different methods). The rest is from experience. I've learned that my butt/colon is what controls the schedule.

I do mark it on my calendar..the tapering schedule a week or two in advance. Reason...I don't remember very well because every day is as the next when taking meds daily. Also, I can look back for reference.

Oh, I have LOTS of white-out when things don't go "as planned"...lol!

Oh....one thing that we have to leave out of our thinking is to be off the meds. With maintenance and treating earlier (rectal meds can be our best friend), flares are very mild compared to when we let things go too long.

A huge plus for the optimistic perspective.

quincy
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
12