question re mesalamine suppositories

If you don't have a relationship with a J-pouch-knowledgable gastroenterologist, maybe your GP could provide such a referral.

I'm don't think it's a good idea to select a medication just because you happen to have it around.

I would agree that you wouldn't use a medication just because it happens to be in the medicine cabinet.For example, I have a whack of left over predisone but wouldn't consider taking it without physician direction. My thinking is to try to treat what may be cuffitis. I previously had the same symptoms and the bleeding and the increased frequency, urgency did go away after using the suppositories (they are non brand canassa). I have to say I'm a bit surprised with the surgeon's office. He had seemed accessible before. Now I feel adrift, thus turning to this community.

I was going to say it sounded like it could be cuffitis to me so if I were you I'd go ahead and use the medication because you were treated for it before. The bigger problem is getting around the receptionist at your surgeon's office. She clearly doesn't know what's going on. I think there are many surgeons that do continue to treat j-pouchers because we are a rare bird. Is he the one that treated you before? Can you call and leave a message for his nurse? Maybe you should get established with a GI that treats patients with j-pouches for future pouchscopes and potential problems as well.

Good Luck!

P.S. I wish we could get our hands on generic canasa in the U.S. as they cost a fortune here and I'm going to have to get new drug insurance pretty soon and am scared to death of how much it is going to cost as these retail for around $22 a day, and I use one a day!

I understand that the Canasa isn't a random choice. It's just that if you're going to depend on a prescription med, you really need a doc willing to prescribe it for you. What if you need some more? That would be a bit late to start looking for a GI.