Need Help!

[Morvdan504]

Hi all my name is dan and im 26 years old and have quite a problem on my hands. At the age of about 20 i started having some serious pain problems with my stomach. When i ate certain things it would get worse, I have no energy most of the time and it just gets worse, AT about 21 i moved in with my dad who i discovered has Crohn's. He is sure i have it, My mom also has Ulceritus.. There is sometimes when ill have a period of time where i feel 100x better it usually lasts 2 weeks sometimes a month if im lucky.My main Symptons are, Lack of Energy, Consistent Stomach pains, Having to use the bathroom 10-15 min after i eat and all throughout the day when im rlly bad.10-15 min after i eat also my stomach pains get worse. Now Heres my problem i currently live in the state or Oregon.The test i need done the colonoscophy. Iam currently unnemployed and dont have the money for the test or health insurance. Whats someone in my position do? This has been affecting my life for years now, about six and the last 2-3 have been rlly hard on me. Takes me an hour to get out of bed and being im in general labor it just makes everything else so much worse. also let me add that arguing and stress increase my pain also. this is unreal and i would appreciate any info or help you all have to offer, thanks.. sorry for the spelling lol

 

[PsychoJane]

Hi Dan!
I wish I really knew what I'll be talking about. I mean, as I don't live in the US my knowledge of the programs and everything going along is quite limited. There is this website that tells about free / affordable clinics where you can maybe get a first insight about your condition.

http://http://www.freemedicalsearch.org/sta/oregon

Are you a candidate for the medicaid, oregon health plan or something like that?

I have no clue when it comes to colonoscopy at which extent these programs can fund these exams?

I hope someone with more knowledge regarding the area you live in will be able to bring some more precise information in the mean time.

 

[Crohnzie Girl]

I have no choice but be on Medicaid. Otherwise I'd probably be really really sick or maybe 6 ft under. I'm eligible since I can only work pt. When my crohns was very active trying to hold onto a full time position was a joke. But being on Medicaid it helped me pay pretty much the entire expenses of medications, infusions, (if u need it), colonoscopy and my surgery. It's a serious condition. Go online and look for the assistance office in ur area. Apply online and u should get a phone call within 1-3 days. You can also go to the assistance office personally. But if its anything like where I am, you'll be there forever!!!

 

[Morvdan504]

Hey all Thanks for the replys, As for eligibility goes, im not eligible for Medicaid in my area, I really have no alternatives, I do have a question tho, emergency rooms have to take you and treat you THEN bill you. If i go into the emergency room telling the doctor that i feel like im dieing, which i pretty much do. and tell him im having tons of stomach pains and that Crohn's runs in the family. Wouldnt they have to give me the colonoscophy taking the situation into consideration? then billing me for it?That way i can get diagnosed without having to pay the 950 upfront?

 

[Crohnzie Girl]

I wouldnt do that. That bill would be thousands of dollars and may put u in debt. I wasn't on straight Medicaid bc I wasn't elible for that either. It was a program called MAWD. Which stands for Medical Asst for Working Disability. I had to pay a a fee ea mth but waaay waay cheaper than medical coverage from an employer. Besides I don't get medical coverage bc I'm pt. Pt workers don't get any benefits.

 

[Crohnzie Girl]

The only problem you may run into is a Dr clarifying you do have Crohns or whatever it is that you may have. However, given the fact that that's the whole reason your looking IS so that you can be diagnosed and be treated. You def don't wasn't to go on without being treated. Or last resort, u can go to the er, pray and hope the er Dr there can treat you properly bc they are NOT gastroenterologist...then try to apply for MAWD. They should be able to cover 3 mths prior to being eligible. Not 100% sure on it but you can try to look it up. It's called MAWD in PA maybe its the same for OR or called something different.

 

[mccindy]

Morvdan, have you looked into Oregon's health care exchange? I don't know that much about how your state's exchange works. With the ACA starting up this month, there should be some alternative for you to utilize. I know MN and WI both have a form of state Medicaid which is avaialable to supplement for the unemployed and underinsured, does OR have anything like that? Going to the ER will be many times more expensive than just going to the regular doc, even a specialist. Especially if you end up admitted to the hospital for the tests. You could end up with many thousands of dollars in bills, which would be much worse than trying to pay for the colonoscopy up front.

In the meantime I'd recommend starting a food diary. people afflicted with IBD often find that their symptoms are quite exacerbated by certain foods, like gluten, dairy, spices, and fibrous veggies. Check into the low-residue diet or the elimination diet. Try that, keep documentation of what seems to make things better or worse. This will definitely be useful information to have when you do get in to see the doctor.

 

[Thunderstorm]

I don't know much about the US health care and the costs involved, but you could ask for a fecal calprotectin test to see if you are indeed dealing with anything inflammatory. It would surely be a lot cheaper than a colonoscopy.

You don't want to get yourself in tons of debt by going to the ER if you don't need to..

Good luck.

 

[ronroush7]

Hope you feel better soon. I agree about trying to avoid gluten. Also, try to avoid stress.

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