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prescription cost overwelming

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 9/20/2011 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
I just found out a month ago I had UC.  I'm 45.  I have crappy insurance, doesn't pay for prescriptions.  Luckily I'm on disability and can get some of the medicines free from their patient assistance programs, if they have it. Asocol cost me 700 dollars last month, and they have no assistance programs.  I'm going to get the doctor to switch me to something else that I can get help with.  I'm overwhelmed with this disease alone, now the cost is crazy.  Oh, my husband left just after my diagnosis, so no insurance soon! Sorry for the rant, just overwhelmed right now. And, I don't understand all of the medicines I read that others are one here. Just so much to understand......
Posted 9/20/2011 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
da are you flaring right now?  I encourage you to go back and look at all of the posts here.  When I first found this site I think I literally read like every one and I learned so much and I've had UC for 16 years.  I didnt have insurance for a year so I couldn't afford asocal.  Instead I took salfasalizine and predisone when in a flare.  Salfasalalzine worked for me and was only like $35 per month.  You can also take metamucil and other OTC products that help.  There are a lot of posts on here about people who don't have insurance so you can look them up.  Sorry to here about your husband that stinks.  Things will get better.
Posted 9/20/2011 5:55 PM (GMT 0)
I believe the manufacturers of both Lialda and Apriso (both which can be taken instead of Asacol) have prescription assistance plans. Ask your doctor if he/she has any of the savings cards (the drug reps usually give them to doctors to hand out). You can also search on the manufacturers' websites.
Good luck!
Bridget
Posted 9/20/2011 6:51 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, call your doctor's office and ask what they suggest. Tell them you can't afford $700/month for your meds (I know, it's outrageous...) and ask if they know of any patient assistance programs or if there are other meds you can take (sulfasalazine would be a good cheaper alternative). I had no insurance for a few months and my doctor's office helped give me info. about assistance programs.
Posted 9/20/2011 9:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hello & welcome,

Please take a look at the below, it may help you save money:

I pulled this from our resources thread on the top of the forum.

Please let me know if you need help with any other medications, we may be able to find a savings card or coupon.

Posted 9/21/2011 8:36 AM (GMT 0)
I weened very slowly off the 5-ASAs and used only natural anti-inflamatories such as turmeric and ginger. I find they actually work, whereas the 5-ASAs not only didn't work, made my flares worse, or gave me side effects, depending on the 5-ASA. Not only that, they are very expensive. There are other natural anti-inflammatories you can try besides turmeric and ginger:

http://www.stopagingnow.com/liveinthenow/article/10-anti-inflammatory-supplements-that-work
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