My crohn's story

[corgiforlife]

my crohn's story

Hi...I'm new to this forum. Thought I would tell a brief history of my battle with Crohn's. Was diagnosed in Feb of this yr. After being told I could have Celiac or an ulcer. Also was told most of it was in my head. Not really sure how running to the bathroom every 20 min is in your head, but whatever lol. Have been trying to figure out what drugs are working. Pentasa made me throw up, asacol didn't have the effect my dr wanted. Have been on prednison since feb. Finally figured out Imuran was the way to go. Have been on that since April. Seems to be working, but my dr was weaning me off the steroids and began having more symtoms that he didnt like. Have to go in 2 weeks for another colonoscopy. (2 in 6 months...ugh) If he doesn't like what he sees, he wants to start Remicade. Not too happy about this as I have no insurance and am not working at the moment. Can't seem to find any financial help out there anywhere. Anybody have any suggestion?
Sorry for the rambling...lol. Looking forward to meeting some new ppl and hopefully being of some support.

 

[Astra]

Hiya corgi
and welcome

Sorry you're having a bad time, hope we can help in some way.
Not sure about your system over there, but someone will come along about insurance.
In the meantime check out the Remicade Club, lots of info in there for you.
Glad you found us, lots of friends here for you
lotsa luv
Joan xxx

 

[xJillx]

Hi and welcome! I am sorry to hear you haven't found the right treatment option yet. And to not have insurance - that is an extra stresser you don't need. However, if you do have to take Remicade, another forum member was just telling me about Remistart through Johnson and Johnson and the Patient Assistance Program Application. Check out the thread here. I hope this helps!

 

[corgiforlife]

Thanks! I have checked into that and it appears that you have to have some sort of insurance in order to qualify. What I looked at said you had to have insurance, but you would qualify if your provider didn't cover all of the costs. I will keep looking tho

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

Hi Corgi! I just had to welcome you because I am not only a fellow Wisconsinite, but I also own a corgi! (I'm assuming you're a corgi owner too?) As far as getting financial aid or insurance, have you checked out Badger Care? I know our current WI governor has made a bunch of cuts to that program but I believe it's still available although I don't know much about it. Also, the hospital you go to should offer some sort of financial aid. Where in WI are you? I'm in Madison and I go to UW Hospital & Clinics, and in 2010 I had racked up thousands in medical debt (yes, I do have insurance but it didn't cover everything) and they offered me financial aid. I applied even though I didn't fit their criteria, but I was accepted anyway and my medical debt went down to zero! Hopefully that helps somewhat. Glad to see another 'Sconnie and corgi fan around the forum!

 

[corgiforlife]

Hi! I have 2 corgis. I love them, they're so funny and have such individual personalities. What color is yours? I have a 3 yr old red headed tri named Gunner who is the sweetest boy in the whole world. I've taken him to nursing homes in the past and they just love him with his short legs and big ears. But where's his tail? That's my favorite question. lol. I also have a year old sable named Sully. He's the complete opposite of Gunner. Very vocal and naughty. Trying to get him into herding. I have a corgi/lab/chow also that I rescued from North Carolina. Sorry...I could talk about them all day lol
I am about a half hour south of Green Bay. I did try badger care, and was told the only way I can get help is if I have children. I'm still on the waiting list as far as I know. I first applied last yr and the list was at 60,000. My hospital does have an assistance program, which I have been fortunate enough to qualify for in the past. It's the cost of the medications that's killing me. Still looking tho!

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

So you're somewhere around the Oshkosh/Appleton area then? That's awesome, I'm originally from Oshkosh! Have been living in Madison for the past decade or so. I have one corgi, she's a black-headed tri color named Lily. I got her in December and she's been great. She'll be 3 next month. I've tried a little bit to get her into herding too, but she's terrified of cows! She will try to herd people, the cat, and her toys, so she's definitely got the instinct.

I know what you mean about the cost of the medications, some of them cost thousands if you don't have coverage! It's ridiculous. I hope you find a way to get them at a reasonable cost! In addition to what's already been suggested, you might want to check with the manufacturer of the meds, or even your doctor or pharmacy. Sometimes doctors get free samples from manufacturers that they can give you to keep you going for awhile (I don't think they'd do this with Remicade, but for Imuran or prednisone they might). The pharmacist might know of programs or be able to help in some way too. Good luck!

 

[corgiforlife]

yup, I'm about an hour away from appleton. Your corgi sounds cute. I was able to get help with medications, but then I started getting sick from them so now I have a ton of pills I can't use lol. The imuran and prednisone is pretty cheap, it's just what's next that I'm worried about. I'll keep looking for help tho.