Newbie!

[Kelsea]

Hi guys,

I have been having terrible symptoms since august...but when i think back, my bowel movements havn't been "normal" for a long while. The main problem with me is the pain I get in my stomach and a dull ache in my lower back. Also a lot of mucus!!!

Anywho, I had my colonoscopy a few weeks ago...which showed part of my colon was very inflamed and kind of blocked (dont really know what they were on about, was pretty much off my head on sedatives) so was referred for a CT scan, and then finally diagnosed with Crohn's disease. Quite a shock at first, I am under a lot of stress at the moment with work and my final year of university and so on which probably doesnt help...but its all a bit much right now! :-(

They are putting me on Pentasa...and shall see how I go from there. I was wondering how much Pentasa costs? I've heard of many people complaining at the fact as Crohn's sufferers we have to pay for medication...but I dont know the actual price!

Any advice etc would be much appreciated.

Thanks xx Kelsea xx

 

[xoxava]

Welcome kelsea. Sorry I can't offer much advice on pentasa I haven't been on that. I can tell you though that the meds can get very expensive! Mine average about 400 a month right now and I had to seek help to help pay for it all! I'm also under the stress of work and college its hard to manage at times. Hang in there and keep us updated!

 

[Joleen23]

Hi and welcome. It says that you live in south London/Surry so won't you just be charged the cost of a normal prescription on the NHS which is about £3.50 per item. Thats all i pay for any of my prescriptions. (im taking Asacol and predisolone) I know in other countries as they don't have the NHS they pay the full fee for medication.
Don't know if this is right but i know that i don't pay too much at all for meds.
Just been diagnosed myself with crohns 3 weeks ago after 6 months of pain and other symptoms.
Hope you find the site as useful as i have found it

 

[Dexky]

Welcome Kelsea!! Yeah, I've never heard any of the Brits on here say they had to pay for their scripts because crohns isn't covered. I'm sure it would have come up!! Good luck and stick around!!

 

[Kelsea]

I guessed it would be the cost of a perscription so 7.20 each! but wasn't sure, i'm generally a bit slow haha.

Thanks for your advice!x

 

[Nica]

Hi Kelsea,
Welcome to the forums! I think generally the meds get expensive when you get into the biologics or entocort. I was on pentasa about 5 years ago, so its not a new drug that would run high costs. But I don't know a thing about Britian's health care.

 

[Caroline]

Hi Kelsea and welcome.

As you are in the UK and over 18 you will need to pay £7.20 per drug prescription from your doctor, so make sure they prescribe you as big a quantity of Pentasa as they can in one go to cut down on costs!

If they prescibe more that just Pentasa, ie.. iron supplements, pain killers etc... it may be worth getting an NHS pre pay prescription certificate (google it), you pay £104.00 for the year and this covers all your prescriptions. I was picking up at least 4 prescriptions per month so well worth it for me!!

Hope this helps.

Caroline x

 

[Kelsea]

Thanks Caroline - i knew there was a pre pay kind of thing...but wasnt sure on the price! so that is really helpful to know. For now they are just putting me on Pentasa to see how it goes, but if I need more i think i will definitely get the pre pay prescription!!

Kelsea xox

 

[rygon]

I was going to say, if you have crohns you may as well go for the yearly pre-pay prescription. Pentasa as far as im aware helps keep the inflamation down, but wont keep the crohns under control so your more than likely to be having another drug as well with it. The pre pay means you will save if you have more than 13 presciptions a year ( i have asthma as well so im quids in )

So what are you studying?

 

[Kelsea]

To be honest I was surprised when I was put on Pentasa only, as i have a few friends with ceohns and they were quite shocked, but i gess everyone's different plus the consultant wants to see me in three weeks to assess so i guess we just trying stuff out!!

I'm currently studying I.T, however once i am finished i want to go back into university and study midwifery! bit of a career change but i was young and silly when i pickd I.T as i absolutely hate it now lol!!

xox

 

[DustyKat]

Hi Kelsea :bigwave:, welcome to the forum.

Dusty.

 

[StarGirrrrl]

The pre-payment cards are great, when you get the 12 month one you have the option of paying by direct debit, £10.40 a month over 10 months.

I got mine a few years ago when my benefits changed and I no longer got them free, I have a month left and hit 20 items last week (14 to make it pay). I know soon I will be on more meds too due to the IBD. And have needed anti biotics, ear drops and eye drops all since I got the card

So even if you think you may not get the 14 items, in my opinion it's worth it in case you need something else.