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crohns + cold = bad bad things

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 1/22/2008 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
I just need to vent, guys, I'm sorry.

I moved to Colorado in October. I got a Remicade infusion right before we moved. I had been doing FINE with the Remi treatments every 16 weeks. Until Colorado. I got sick with a nasty cold/caugh thing in November. Took me three weeks to kick that. Then I got sick again just in time for Christmas. Finally kicked that... only to get yet ANOTHER cold/cough thing. And I've needed remicade for about two months now, but my new doc won't let me get it until all the insurance/patient assistance crap is sorted out... basically I can't get it until they know it will be paid for... so yeah. No remicade for me.

I'M SO SICK OF BEING SICK!

And trying to explain to my boss that, "no, I can't take cold medicine when I'm flairing because it will only stay IN me for a mere 15 minutes..." Yeah. I love those conversations. I just tried yet another cold med to try to alleviate the coughing and snot, and it literally stayed in my body for 45 minutes. What I didn't throw up came out the other way. I'm sure it did a lot of good while it was in there!

I hate reaching this point, because I know that I am a blink away from needing to go to the emergency room. But then, I have THOSE conversations to look forward to. "Yes, I just need fluid. Can you just hook me up for a day and give me some fluid? My body won't let me drink anything - I need it through my veins." "No, I don't need 101 tests. I can tell you what's wrong. If you REALLY want to be helpful, you'll give me fluids with a side of Remicade. Could I have that with a dash of Benadryl, too?" If only it were that simple, right?

All whining aside, I have had a pretty good run of things up until the move. The remicade is amazing, when I can get it. And my life was back to normal. Maybe that's why this is such a slap in the face? I was doing well enough before the stress/sickness/move that I felt like a normal person again. Nothing like a good flair and a whomper of a cold to knock you back to reality. Stupid cold medicine. ARG!

The silver lining: while the emergency room may smell bad, and I may not get a nice nurse, at least I'll have cubes of blue jello to look forward to, and endless hours of crappy cable (I don't own a television, so that's kind of like being at a hotel and watching cable!). I'll just pretend that it's a mini-vacation. In an uncomfortable bed. With tubes all over the place. Uhg. Maybe I'll give it a few more hours and try to keep some fluid in me after all. Blue Jello cubes really aren't worth all that.

Sorry for the rant. Thanks for listening.
Posted 1/22/2008 1:20 AM (GMT 0)
I hear you, been there as well, my cold this december on remicade lasted 3 weeks, cold meds helped for about 1 hour, maybe 2

As for the er, already got a thread on that, Ill leave it alone except to say I love your attitutde about the er and the hospital..... :) You have as ense of humor about it, whats your secret?

Wish you the best :)
Posted 1/22/2008 4:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Patient... If you are certain that your insurance will pay for your remi and its just a matter of the paperwork going through could you give them a credit card as collateral so that you can get your treatment asap?? I know it is risky but when my pharmacy kept saying one of my meds was denied for no reason and it was after hours I just put it on my only for emergencies credit card (with a decent credit line) and got reimbursed. B/c remi is so much money you need to be certain before you do this but if you are desperate it is an option.
Posted 1/22/2008 4:38 AM (GMT 0)

Good Evening patientspiders  smurf Blue jello did you say?  Nummie.  Some clinics will give you the IV fluids right at the clinic which is cheaper but again I do not know how your insurance works.

The idea to pay for your med on your credit card is an idea...........dang why is it so hard to get through all the red tape, or in your case the blue tape? eyes   The stress of the move, the job and coming down with URI after feeling so good I am sure has caused you to feel down but I agree, you have your sense of humor.  I always feel as long as I can laugh in the end, I have made it through.  I may cry very hard on the way through all the bull.  Take care and keep posting. Gentle Hugs. Kitt :)

Posted 1/22/2008 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Colorado,
Hope your feeling better. I am up here in Wyoming and wanted to send my wishes for feeling better to you. Drink some miso soup and stay warm! Nothing beats living out here for long term health and happiness! Cheers! yeah
Posted 1/22/2008 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
I know how you are feeling I got the flu at Thanksgiving and then a cold around Christmas and I am still sick and coughing and not better yet... colds just hang around forever and I am tired!!! I hope you get some relief soon! Karen
Posted 1/22/2008 6:13 PM (GMT 0)
THanks everybody. You guys are great. I've decided to call my doc and see if I can just get some fluids to tide me over until we hear one way or the other on the Remicade. Unfortunately, medical bills have sent my credit into a state of disrepair, so the credit card idea is a good one - but not an option for me. I'm doing a little better today than yesterday, and I don't have to work today - so I'm taking this time to "regroup".

Thanks again for all of your happy thoughts!
Posted 1/22/2008 6:37 PM (GMT 0)
If you have an infection going on forget the Remicade, can't have it with an active infection. You might consider going to the drug store and buy a box of Mucinex. I may habe spelled it wrong, but it is now availvable OT. It is a very good decongestant and good at breaking the crap in your chest. Opps, you do have to drink plenty of fluids so that one is out for you. Most drs office do not have the equipment for IV stuff in their offices, muchless a nurse that knows how to start an IV.so I would go on to ER & get it over with. Susie
Posted 1/22/2008 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
Patientspiders - you get blue jello cubes? I always end up with orange. I'm jealous!
Seriously though, I hope you're still feeling a slight bit better, but if you're not, you should bite the bullet and go to the ER. Hopefully they'll be able to help you out quickly (I know - I'm dreaming, but you never know)
Also I hope you'll get back on the remicade soon.

Wishing you well,

Bev
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