how do you pay for all this stuff????

Do you qualify for state insurance? I've heard some states have pretty decent medicaid programs. Also some states have rules that if you are turned down for private insurance, they have to cover you, even if you make really good money. I think how much you pay for it depends on your income, but still it's better than nothing at all.

If you've had the usual rounds of tests and YOU are confident that you have IBS and nothing more, then don't do any more tests and don't go to the doctor except when your prescriptions are running out. I'm afraid that doesn't help your medicine costs, but I do know some doctors are test happy and like to keep running you through the mill. Unless something changes in your situation and you think you need to be re-eavluated, you should probably just stick to paying for your meds and leave the doctors out of it.

The other thing you can do is talk to a financial adviser about being self-insured (that's what you're doing right now). The federal government has a program where if you self-insure or have an insurance deductible of like $1,000 or more, you can set aside money on a pre-tax basis in an INTEREST or DIVIDEND bearing account (i.e. stocks, bonds, T-bills, CDs, the like) and your money can grow without your having to pay any income tax on it. And I think you get a tax write-off for having this kind of account too. Like the Health Savings Plans that many employers offer, all of your money has to be spent on medical expenses, but that includes eye care and dental work. Unlike the HSPs, though, this plan allows your money to work for you. Ideally this is something that you use to cover a high deductible in times of need, that you set up when you are young and healthy so you'll have money to spend when you're not (kind of a 401k for your health rather than your retirement). But if you are having to pay out of pocket anyways, it might as well be on a pre-tax basis.

And here's an article from The Dollar Stretcher in which some people give advice to a woman in a similar situation: http://stretcher.com/stories/990111b.html

The main page to The Dollar Stretcher is: http://www.stretcher.com/index.cfm
You might find some of their info useful in trimming your costs so you can better afford to take care of your health.

Oops, I think rather than getting a tax break on having a medical account, you get a tax break if your medical bills, paid out of pocket, exceed a certain amount. Last I knew it was around $5,000 a year. Your meds alone should just about cover that. Make sure you drag out your receipts and claim that deduction this year! If you have to, go see an accountant to get your full deduction--it will be worth the investment. Then, when you get your nice, fat return, see if you can't stick it into one of those medical accounts where it can earn some money before you have to use it.

Thank you all so much for your replies. And Blondie i appreciate your sweetness. I guess when you feel like you hit dead ends, you just  need to vent about it. Thanks for all your suggestions, ireally do appreciate it