Community Forum

Have a question, or want to share your own tips and experiences? Join the discussion in the community forum. You must be registered to participate. Our forums are moderated by Crohn's & Colitis Foundation staff to facilitate a safe environment.

Previous Topic Next Topic

Not sure what to do...

Wed, August 01, 2012 6:42 PM

i feel like i need to pour my heart out here. i'm a 32 year old guy, been diagnosed with crohn's for a little over a year. i had insurance when i first started getting treated, but circumstances changed and now i am at a different job that does not have insurance. when i left the other job, i was still in the process of getting treated and had never really been symptom-free (though mostly so on prednisone). when i end the prednisone course i went onto asacol (also tried another one, which i can't remember). now, due to lack of insurance, i'm on generic sulfasalazine for maintenance and have a very nice family doctor treating me. but, it doesn't seem to be working, i have been taking waaay too much time off work, and my work is starting to get frustrated at me. i have been open with them about my condition since day 1 and they have been very accommodating about bathroom breaks, etc. this being said, they warned me that if the absences continue i could be without a job.

i tried for disability once (denied, of course) but really would rather work. i just don't know what to do. the drugs i really need are way beyond my pay grade without insurance, as is a good gastroenterologist.

i just feel like everything is going to *** . don't know where to turn or what to do and just feel like giving up sometimes. so, i decided to turn to those who have been through it. what should i do?

jonizaak
Joined Mar 9, 2011

Tue, August 07, 2012 9:40 AM

Reply posted for jonizaak.

The correct food/diet/lifestyle plan can reduce or eliminate your IBD issues.

I highly recommend SCD or GAPs diet. It is just eating the right foods, no insurance required and a GI is not really required either.

SCD - ww.breakingtheviciouscycle.info/

GAPS- ww.gapsdiet.com/

Both have Facebook groups that can offer a ton of support, recipes, tips, etc...

patman75
Joined Feb 8, 2009

Mon, August 06, 2012 9:49 AM

Reply posted for jonizaak.

It's unfortunate with the insurance situation, but you aren't the first person nor will you be the last that this has happened to.
What is your lifestyle/diet like? I know some don't believe diet has anything to do with IBD, but others (myself included) do. We worked with a nutritionist to become acclimated to a diet that was low in residue and fiber and it took some time to figure out which foods triggered my daughter. Also, what about exercise? Yoga, biking, swimming, staying active often helps too!
I agree with your previous response for dr. samples. Often times the pharm reps work hand in hand with docs to supply patients, perhaps if you speak w/your doc they can be a bit more giving due to your situation. Also, some of the prescription co offer programs for patients who can't pay.
Hopefully you can make some dietary/lifestyle changes to make a difference.
Good luck
Lizzies Mom

lizzies mom
Joined Sep 9, 2009

Fri, August 03, 2012 8:59 PM

Reply posted for jonizaak.

You have no insurance and a preexisting condition. There is a provision in the health care law that may help you. You will need to apply for an individual policy, when you are denied insurance you can then apply for a policy under this law. You have to be without insurance for 6 months and have this denial to qualify. Here is the link to more information : http://www.healthcare.gov/law/features/choices/pre-existing-condition-insurance-plan/index.html . Hope this helps.
Since your doctor is a family practitioner he/she may not have samples of your meds. A gastroenterologist would have samples, my doctor has been very helpful in this area. Hopefully you will soon be able to see a specialist for your Crohn's. Good luck to you.

elaine558
Joined Mar 24, 2012

Related Topics

IBD and trauma

Janeliza
Joined Apr 13, 2022

Hi all! I've had Crohn's since 2014 with m....

read more

Life Insurance?

Aperson1
Joined Dec 2, 2022

40 y.o. male looking to get life insurance. ....

read more

After a year...

justL
Joined Jul 17, 2023

Hi , I'm L and I have been diagnosed with seve....

read more

Welcome to the Crohn's & Colitis Community!

This website is associated with CCFA.org and is supported by an educational grant from AbbVie.

Please read our Top 12 Rules before posting messages and sharing stories. Always be courteous and sensitive to others!

Intended audience. The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation Online Community is intended for patients and their caregivers, family and friends. The Community is not intended for industry representatives or advertisers and these individuals are not permitted to participate on the site.

Meet the Crohn's & Colitis Community! Browse our site to see what our community is talking about and find issues important to you.

Join in and share your stories. After you feel comfortable with our site, register to share your thoughts on a regular basis.

Stay secure. Remember that our site can be viewed by anyone on the Internet. With the exception of our registration and personal pages, search engines are available within this site. To guard your privacy, follow these simple rules: do not share your address, phone number, details about your family, or anything else you would feel uncomfortable with others reading. If you post your personal email, be aware that you may receive spam e-mail from spammers who gather addresses off of the web.

Read and react to posts with care. If you don’t agree or are offended by someone’s post, take a step back and think before you reply. Since we can’t talk in-person to each other, we must recognize that we may be misunderstanding stories or posts. Please be sensitive to others’ feelings and ask for clarification before acting out.

Search before starting new topics. To keep our message boards easy to use, please use the search bar to locate topics of interest before starting a new thread. If you start a new thread, please use obvious subject headings and words that will catch the attention of others. Topics will be archived after 21 days of inactivity. To view past topics and posts, click on archive topics within each of the forums.

Stick to our guidelines. To keep this site safe for everyone, please do not post: doctors' names, treatment facility names and treatment specifics, contact information for others without their consent, links to websites with uncertain content or advertisements, requests for fundraising, items for sale, requests for study, survey and/or questionnaire participation or provocative information.

Sharing photos. Please use good taste and appropriate images when adding photos to your profile or personal stories. Photos should be in .jpg format.

Not following the rules? Crohn's & Colitis Community moderators routinely scan the message boards and will delete tasteless posts. If you post inappropriate messages or pictures or use offensive language in a post on multiple occasions, you will be notified via email and your account will be inactivated.

Report foul play. Help the Crohn's & Colitis Community moderators by reporting anyone that posts inappropriate messages or pictures by clicking the 'Report Abuse' button under the message or emailing ccfacommunity@ccfa.org.

Questions or concerns? Please feel free to email us at ccfacommunity@ccfa.org with any questions or concerns. We want you to feel comfortable here.

Terms & Conditions. By posting your story, questions, concerns and other information on the Community, you grant the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation or its authorized agent permission to publish, reproduce, record and use your stories as Crohn's & Colitis Community or the authorized agent sees fit in any medium or forum in a manner which helps to further the Crohn's & Colitis Community mission. You agree to release and hold harmless Crohn's & Colitis Community from any and all liability by any third party that may arise from the release of information to any third party or by any third party and agree that all text and other content made by you, for you or the person for whom you are the parent/guardian, shall be the exclusive property of Crohn's & Colitis Community. The Crohn's & Colitis Community cannot verify every claim made by a third party contributor to our Community and is not responsible for the authenticity of information posted.

Thank you! The Crohn's & Colitis Community is successful because of members like you!

Thanks!
The Crohn's & Colitis Community Team

*Any postings on the Crohn's & Colitis Community site should not replace your physician's advice. Always check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health.