New Member: Hi, I'm Hank

Hello all, just introducing myself. I've been lurking a bit, and it seems like you've got a good thing going here. So, a bit about me:

I was diagnosed back in 2006, I had a fairly quick remission with Asacol, but have had flare-ups since them. I'm in the middle of one that's been going on for about six months. Having colitis, of course, sucks. But I get along fairly well as I work from home and don't have a very severe case.

What I'm mostly concerned about are the costs. I have a $400 a month prescription drug habit, and no end to that in sight. It's my second biggest expense, and that's no good for my family. I was diagnosed while in school. Once I graduated, I lost the insurance, of course. Then I tried to go get other insurance but, since I had UC, I was rejected by all of the major providers. I'm now on the state's catastrophic insurance program, but this obviously doesn't cover prescription drugs.

If anyone could point me to threads on getting asacol for cheaper, that would rock. If people have had luck with particular Canadian pharmacies, I (and my wife) would thank you very much for your advice.

I'm also interested to hear about people's experience with diet. I know there has to be a connection there, and I've seen it myself. The one really weird reaction I have is beer (which I love) and makes my colits HORRIBLE. Like, don't leave the house for a few days horrible. So I'm completely off beer. Vodka soda, though, treats me fine. Weird.

Anyway, no caffeine (rare exceptions), no seeds, no raw fruits for veg, and probiotics...that's what I do. But this flare up has been going on for a long time, and I'm ready to try something new. I'll be looking around, but, again, if there are any suggestible threads, I'd love to see them (the search function kinda sucks here.)

Thank you all so much for coming together in this place.

Hank

Welcome to HealingWell, Hank. I'm glad to hear at least you're doing well healthwise, even though our meds can put anyone in the poor house.

Proctor and Gamble makes Asacol, and does have an assistance program:

http://www.pgpharma.com/patient_assistance.shtml

Here's the web site for Canasa:

http://www.patientassistance.com/B881-canasa.html

I hope you'll find the information and support here helpful.

Hank, sorry about what you're going through.  I have had ulcerative proctitis for 25 years and when it's flaring it's awful.  Have been in a flare for 6 months (came on after I had a bad stomach flu) and nothing has helped.  I am on rowasa enemas, colazal and just started 6MP.  Had been on enemas, prednisone... nothing worked.  Can't get to work before 10AM and am tired...  Finally decided to see a nutritionist next week (so expensive) but can't go on like this.  Have lost weight and I'm too thin to begin with.  Will let you know about diet.  Have a feeling it will include no dairy (which I already cut out), fried foods, caffeine...among other things.

I think you should first find out whether Canadian pharmacies will accept a prescription from a dr in the US.  If they will, get the prescription and do what needs to be done.  Are you sure it's not legal?

I hate to promote a pharmacy but I do order from CanadaDrugs.com quite oten and while it does take a few weeks to get your medication, it is reliable and the medication is legit. They have a guarantee that you will receive your package in 21 days and if you do not, they will reship free of charge. CanadaDrugs has always supplied me safe drugs. I think they get them from the manufacturers so they are able to give them to you for less. They don't say Asacol on the pills but they did keep my condition at bay.

I called my doctors office and said please call my prescription into my pharmacy and I gave them the 800 for canadadrugs. I've done this multiple times with various drs.
goodluck.