Question Re Canassa

Mine goes into the j-pouch above the cuff. IMO that is where it is supposed to be. The medication will mix with excrement but there is no avoiding that. I try to insert it after I've emptied my pouch to make it most effective and lay down after insertion. During bad times of 15 BM's a day, for example, it's impossible to wait for an empty pouch. These are also the times when we need canasa the most. I insert it, lay down and hope for the best.


I also use Anucort, hydrocortisone suppositories if everything is too inflamed &/or painful. This is to bring inflammation down so the expensive canasa will be more effective. My GI's instructions are to use both kinds of suppositories like this. Some get results just using anucort.

When I was first diagnosed I didn't have good results with either kind of suppository. My local GI referred me to the Mayo CLinic. The GI there told me to keep using the canasa until the cuffitis went away and it took months. I was first diagnosed locally in January and didn't get to Mayo until May. I think it was at least August when I felt it was totally gone. Subsequently I've had to use it at least 2 times a week to keep the symptoms away. I am not the normal person as I have it chronically. I hope once yours clears up that you can stop using the suppositories.

Here's a suggestion on how to combat this problem. When you insert the canasa, try to get it just into the anal canal and just hold it in place for a couple of minutes ( just hold the end a bit keeping the medicine in place for a couple if minutes). That often is enough time to soften up the medicine to allow it to release in the anal canal and not move up into the pouch. I happen to deal with ulceration both at the anastomoses and below so I often do want the medicine to enter the pouch as I am guessing gravity allows the medicibe to release right at the anastomosis and hopefully it trickles down a bit below it too.

jeane,

I don't understand releasing it into the anal canal or before the cuff? I don't retain anything in that space and never thought about doing so. I make sure that area is clear of excrement as it contributes to my butt burn....are you saying you don't put the canasa into the bottom of the pouch? There is no way I could hold anything in that area, laying down included.

I think you've had problems in that area so what you are saying makes sense, I never thought about it before. I avoided problems before the cuff, except for butt burn. I've had butt burn and cuffitis but nothing lingering in the canal/pre cuff area.