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A rant due to flaring

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 6/18/2008 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
I wish other people could feel how we do during a flare - just for 5 minutes. THAT would change their tune! My husband isn't always understanding.
Posted 6/18/2008 10:52 PM (GMT 0)

Sulfasalazine is probably the oldest medication for ulcerative colitis.  But something like 30% of people are allergic to it, so it can be difficult to tolerate.

How to get a prescription without a doctor's visit?  Ediekristen recommendation seems worthwhile to pursue.  I would also think that if you explained the situation to a doctor -- perhaps even one of those quickie clinics popping up in drug stores -- you could get a script pretty quickly and the office visit wouldn't be that expensive.

Another thought would be to get a partial fill on the script you have.  At this point, you need about a ten-day day supply to get you to 02 July.  Ask for it.  That would be, what, $100?

Posted 6/19/2008 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
my sulfasalazine cost me $10.00 per month for my co pay. The list price it shows on my receipt for the 180 tablets is $49.59.
Posted 6/19/2008 3:37 PM (GMT 0)
well now i really think i need that.... but i think i need something else even more.... something not maintenance.... something to stop the flare up because at the rate im goin ill be in the hospital.

i feel so weak right now i must have already been in the bathroom 10 times with bloody diahrea extremely urgent... my stomach feels like its about to explode i havent eaten and wont ... especially cuz i think i'd throw it up as im nauseas..... pain is craziness ahhhhhhh
Posted 6/19/2008 3:37 PM (GMT 0)
im tryin my darndest not to freaking go back to prednisone even short term im trying so hard people... its killing me
Posted 6/19/2008 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
Maybe you should go to the hospital emergency? Does one need insurance for that?

q
Posted 6/19/2008 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
Oh definitely... Well, they can't deny you treatment without insurance but you're almost guaranteed not to get the same standard of care, as well as a nice gigantic bill on top of it. A friend of mine went to the ER this weekend in dire pain due to some ovarian cysts... They basically told her they couldn't do anything for her because she doesn't have insurance and sent her home (!!) It's really sad.
Posted 6/19/2008 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
you don't need insurance for the ER but you do need money


The only thing that's made me feel better is taking a shower... The heat felt good, but as soon as I got out I felt my awful stomach again.
Posted 6/19/2008 6:52 PM (GMT 0)

You have to learn to say "NO".  Just say I am not feeling well and going to stay home.  I have done it and probably will do it again if I have to.  Listen to your body.

Stacy

Posted 6/19/2008 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
I think you should call your doctor. An office visit is a lot cheaper than an ER visit. Self-pay at my GI ranges from $75-$110 w/ no tests. He will do phone consults for free. Luckily I have never been without insurance but he never bills for my phone consults and I have seen his price list.
Posted 6/19/2008 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
Just called the gastroenterology associates of north texas to try to get an appointment... they said they'd call back in a day or two
Posted 6/19/2008 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
ALRIGHT the nurse called me back and said to stop the lialda and they already called in a new prescription of Sulfasalazine? she said its 2 pils 4 times a day HOLY COW.
Posted 6/20/2008 5:01 AM (GMT 0)
Great you got a call back so soon.

Holy cow about how many? or about the $$?
Posted 6/20/2008 1:01 PM (GMT 0)
Yay!! I hope this helps you.
Posted 6/20/2008 5:09 PM (GMT 0)
quincy... the price is great.. the number of pills holy cow!!
Posted 6/23/2008 7:37 AM (GMT 0)
Melody, don't switch drugs to sulfasalazine just yet.... Depending on where your colitis is in your colon, you could use a different 5-ASA (Salofalk, Asacol, Pentasa).

Or if you may want to consider using Prednisone to help with the flare up. It is cheap as well.

As an aside, I being Canadian, I am a bit shocked at how you can't get your meds due to affordability issues :(
Posted 6/23/2008 12:24 PM (GMT 0)
sweetmelody,
I hope the sulfasalazine works as well for you as it does for me. Good Luck
Posted 6/23/2008 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
Teg- I was basically willing to jump onto any med I could get for cheap that isn't what I was already taking. I started the Sulfasalazin already. Prednisone is just not an option for me anymore ... my own decision. I don't want to ever go through all those side effects again.

Munchkindd- I hope it does work. So far I don't feel like it is working because I'm still in the bathroom with an awful large amount of pain and bloody diahrea

I just want it to stop dangit.
Posted 6/23/2008 7:06 PM (GMT 0)
It will take a few days to see any results. I'm glad you could get the sulfasalazine. Something must be better than nothing!

One thing - after you use the bathroom, drag hubby in there to see what is coming out of you. Once he sees that, he might be a wee bit more understanding.

Can you take some Tylenol for pain? Try the fast release so they have a chance of working before you evacuate. Curl up with the heating pad or maybe a hot bath since the shower felt good.

An rx for darvocet (which is a narcotic pain killer) might be in order - the generic is really cheap as well.

Be sure to take folic acid while taking sulfasalazine.

You can also try a liquid diet or a low residue (no fiber or low fiber) diet to help with the pain and cramping.

I hope you find some relief soon!
Posted 6/23/2008 7:59 PM (GMT 0)
Also I find liquid diets help when I am flaring. Just make sure you are getting all your calories and fat etc from the liquids you choose.
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