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Cortifoam at night, Canasa during the day?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/26/2008 12:13 PM (GMT -5)
The doctor prescribed Cortifoam to use at night. In the past I used Canasa. I'm in a mild flare at the rectal area (not further up). I'm wondering if I use Canasa during the day if it will cause any problems (such as causing the cortifoam not to work).

Any ideas?
Posted 7/26/2008 5:40 PM (GMT -5)
Asolutely use it....it's part of a regimen you may eventually perfect. Use the options available...in various combos. Some can't use the steroid enemas for long periods, others can use them with no problems.

Didn't your doc ever prescribe Rowasa? That could be your next try and use the steroid enemas for a boost if needed.

Let us know how it goes.

Oh, the only problem with supps for some (me) is that they leak a bit if I have any gas. I personally don't like to use them....but others have NO problems at all...

Trial and more trials..lol!

quincy
Posted 7/26/2008 7:25 PM (GMT -5)

quincy - can you describe the difference in Rowasa enemas and Cortifoam or Proctofoam (that I use)?  Isn't Rowasa hard to retain - the foam and the Canasa I used for while stay in fine.

Because of weight and arthritis I can only administer the medications on the toilet - would Rowasa run right out quickly?  I think my doctor would like me to try that next - will it help up further.  I also take Colazal. 

Thanks, ElaineNY

Posted 7/27/2008 1:32 AM (GMT -5)
Hi Elaine...it's not hard to retain necessarily, but you must administer it while lying down or with your butt in the air.
The foams and supps, you can do however.

q
Posted 7/27/2008 10:17 AM (GMT -5)

quincy,

Well that lets me out.  I tried lying down for Canasa and no deal.  As for butt inthe air - that sure makes me laugh but seriously my knees are bone on bone so no deal that way either.  I COULD ask my husband of 47 years to help - occasionally would be ok - but he would be so grossed out - and he has lung cancer so I really hate to add anything to his own problems.  I think the Proctofoam is working some - definitely the Colazal too.  At least no more diarrhea and LESS cramping and about same blood most mornings. I may call my NP next week unless I see a lot of improvement - the doctor might prescribe a little more pills or stronger foam, or ?

Just like to get rid of the blood - I could deal with discomfort, urgency, etc. much better.

Thanks, ElaineNY

Posted 7/27/2008 11:23 AM (GMT -5)
The combo you have going should work fine if you're consistent in using it. Sometimes we have to use rectal meds consistently for a few months before being able to taper to a maintenance dosage.

I don't necessarily think a stronger med will be what you need at this time because you've not been using the foam/suppositories/Colazal combo for long.

It's good you're seeing improvement.

quincy
Posted 7/27/2008 11:52 AM (GMT -5)

Thanks so much - nice to have someone with experience (although sorry you HAVE to have the experience).  I am OLD but very young at this UC.

I have appointment August 12 with NP so I think unless things get worse I will hang in there until then with what I am doing.  I am very consistent - missed pills once.

Only real problem is blood really scares me and when I have to go with my husband or out for shopping I have to take Imodium as we live in country and there is too much space between stops, etc.  I can now take like 1/2 and not eat for four hours and "handle" it.  Only one restaurant near enough to home - as a senior I do miss eating out more.  ElaineNY

Posted 7/28/2008 3:42 PM (GMT -5)
I have been on the Cortifoam for about 5 days. I'm not sure if it's working yet or not. Some days I have more blood than others.

I can't use Rowasa. It's too irritating and I blow it out right after I get it in. Canasa stays in there ok, but isn't strong enough to treat this flare.

Do you guys think I can use the cortifoam at night, then the canasa during the day? Will using one wreck the effectiveness of the other?
Posted 7/28/2008 4:46 PM (GMT -5)
It can take weeks for you to see lots of improvement..don't forget it takes a while for the colon to heal. Don't get too impatient.

Yes, use the cortifoam at night and the Canasa during the day. one won't cancel the other out.

q
Posted 7/28/2008 5:35 PM (GMT -5)
I was just RXed Canasa, but there's no way I can afford it without insurance. I was planning to crush sulfasalazine and use them in an enema, but was still looking into that. Can anyone advise or tell me that would be a bad idea. confused
Posted 7/28/2008 6:36 PM (GMT -5)

Be sure to get advice from a doctor or at least your pharmacist.  How do you pay for other medications.  I looked up Canasa and was very surprised at the cost - glad we have insurance.

Anyway, if you tell your doctor you can't afford them - they often have samples and also can help you apply for assistance.  There are many options out there.

ElaineNY

Posted 7/16/2009 10:53 AM (GMT -5)
I used Cortifoam at night and Canasa in the morning. Ok, I always had bleeding and there was nothing I could do. After using Cortifoam for three weeks every night, IT"S GONE!!! I don't think if Canasa make me any good, no changes if I use only Canasa.
However, the bad news is when I stop using my magic Cortifoam, after 3-5 days all my symptoms are back shakehead   My GI doesn't want me to use it for the long run because of the side effects, but if I use it, it really works. Hopefully, it will put you in remission for long!!! Good Luck!
Posted 7/16/2009 12:09 PM (GMT -5)
NMcP which clinic do you go to? I am in the Seattle area.
Posted 7/16/2009 12:18 PM (GMT -5)
     NMcP....I know how you feel.  I also have the ulcerative proctitis right at the tail bone and I believe it is more painful there than anywhere....my GI doctor agrees, also most stubborn to treat.  I am on Colazal, 35 mgm of prednisone (weekly taper), 100 mgm of 6MP, Cort enemas at night (not always a success at holding them, but I try), and Canasa suppositories in the morning (always a success).  I recently bought the book SCD Breaking the Vicious Circle.  I think at this point, I will try basically anything.  I am not a candidate for Remicade being exposed to the TB virus back in the 60's.  Doc mentioned something about having that bit of my rectum removed surgically because this is the second flare in less than a year.  bummer.
Posted 7/17/2009 12:33 AM (GMT -5)

spluxa said...
I used Cortifoam at night and Canasa in the morning. Ok, I always had bleeding and there was nothing I could do. After using Cortifoam for three weeks every night, IT"S GONE!!! I don't think if Canasa make me any good, no changes if I use only Canasa.
However, the bad news is when I stop using my magic Cortifoam, after 3-5 days all my symptoms are back [img]/community/emoticons/shakehead.gif[/img] My GI doesn't want me to use it for the long run because of the side effects, but if I use it, it really works. Hopefully, it will put you in remission for long!!! Good Luck!


I am in the same boat. I need Entocort enema at least once a week. Otherwise I'd see red mucous in every BM. I have been flaring since November 2007 and have not yet reached remission. And now I can't tolerate Saloalk enema as well as I used to.
Posted 7/17/2010 3:09 PM (GMT -5)

spluxa said...
I used Cortifoam at night and Canasa in the morning. Ok, I always had bleeding and there was nothing I could do. After using Cortifoam for three weeks every night, IT"S GONE!!! I don't think if Canasa make me any good, no changes if I use only Canasa.
However, the bad news is when I stop using my magic Cortifoam, after 3-5 days all my symptoms are back [img]/community/emoticons/shakehead.gif[/img] My GI doesn't want me to use it for the long run because of the side effects, but if I use it, it really works. Hopefully, it will put you in remission for long!!! Good Luck!

For me, using cortifoam brings the inflammation down to the point where the mesalamine products (enemas, suppositories) are more effective. I would recommend that once you get the inflamation down with the cortifoam, that you continue using canasa or even try a mesalamine enema at bedtime if you can tolerate it. If you put the enema in just before you fall asleep, it is easier to retain, and retaining it overnight greatly increases it's effectiveness. Actually, studies have shown that mesalamine enemas are more effective than steroid enemas on average, as long as the inflammation is in the mild to moderate range.

One other thing, I believe that using the cortifoam every second night instead of every night virtually eliminates the side effects from the steroids. If that works for you, you might want to talk it over with your GI Doc.

Best of luck.
Posted 7/17/2010 5:27 PM (GMT -5)
I have used cort-foam at night and canasa during the day and I had good results. Never good enough to pull me out of the outrageous flare I was experiencing but it was helpful. I think after sleeping 8 hours, using a Canasa has no impact on any results yielded from the cort-foam. That's just my opinon of course, you should take your GIs advice. Seems like he is an agreement if he wrote the scripts.

For people who can't afford Canasa, I recommend ordering from Canada. You can get Sallofalk suppositories in either 500mg or 1000mg and the price is much more resonable than it is here in the US. I have ordered from there a lot of times in the past when I was uninsured. Don't think because you have no insurance, it is impossible to get the medication you need. Sad that we need to resort to ordering from outside the country but lucky that it's an options and that it's so much more affordable. I think it was about $100 for a month supply from Canada. Salofalk is exactly the same formulation and should do the same thing as Canasa, I never had any problems.

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