Hi Joshua, welcome to the forums and very sorry to hear what had happened to you.
Many times when in an ER, what you may be prescribed for pain when you're discharged, really depends on the physician who is treating you.
I had a few visits to an ER at a local hospital this year, one physician asked me if I drove to the ER, which I did and he asked, "Why? I could have given you the good stuff but now I can only give you Toradol." He was willing to give me some percocet but I declined, it's just not enough to help with the pain.
Another ER visit, a shot of Toradol and the ER physician gave me a prescript
ion for Dilaudid (Hydromorphone) which I did accept and it definitely helped with the pain. This physician also had me go for a CT.
Last visit to the ER, I walked out and refused treatment. I not only was having issues with Crohn's but also a massive sinus infection. Physician wanted to send me for a CT, drew blood and nothing for pain. Not even a shot of Toradol. While I understand CT scans are useful diagnostically, I told her what the issue had been and since I'm a chronic sufferer of sinusitis, I didn't need the CT. I've also been having Colonoscopies every year for the past few years.
It would have been my 3rd CT in a little over a year and I didn't want to be exposed to more radiation yet again.
Joshua, see if a local hospital offers charity care or clinics on their premises.
Have you applied for general assistance in order to possibly receive Medicaid? That would cover medication costs. I didn't have success finding a GI that accepted Medicaid but found pain management facilities that did still accept Medicaid. Pain Management would be the best option when it comes to them helping to improve your quality of life with those type medications.
The CCFA (
www.ccfa.org/what-are-crohns-and-colitis/what-is-crohns-disease has partnered with NeedyMeds, a non-profit organization, to provide assistance to people with Crohn’s disease. The program does not offer financial assistance itself — it is an information source only, but provides links to many programs that can help pay for prescribed drugs, co-pays, and related care.
NeedyMeds-
www.needymeds.org/index.htmFree/Low-Cost/Sliding-Scale Clinics-
www.needymeds.org/free_clinics.tafDon't be afraid to reach out and speak with an IBD specialist on the CCFA website-
www.ccfa.org/living-with-crohns-colitis/talk-to-a-specialistPartnership for Prescript
ion Assistance (toll-free phone number 1-888-4PPA-NOW for assistance)-
www.pparx.orgThe Medicine Program-
www.themedicineprogram.comHUMIRA Protection Plan. Regardless of your current status, employed, unemployed, insured, or uninsured HUMIRA offers guidance and support to help you access the treatment your doctor has prescribed.
www.humira.com/myhumira/financial-assistance.aspxPrescript
ion Assistance for REMICADE 1-888-ACCESS-1 (1-888-222-3771)-
www.janssenprescriptionassistance.com/remicade-cost-assistanceWalgreen's has an rx discount program, called the W card. The cost is $20 for a years membership.
Walgreens Prescript
ion Savings Club-
www.walgreens.com/pharmacy/psc/psc_overview_page.jspHRSA health centers (
[email protected] or (877) 464-4772)-
findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/Search_HCC.aspxI don't know your entire situation, so I provided a lot of links definitely worth looking into. I hope this helps Joshua and I hope you get the treatments you require, the medications and feel better very soon.
Post Edited (Datawraith) : 1/10/2013 10:20:49 PM (GMT-7)