Every state has an insurance department … and they accept complaints - good luck. Too many hands in the till and we pay everyone their cut (and they try to escape their responsibilities when...
Love everything espresso - a good demitasse of one, cappuccinos, tiramisu, and my new summer favorite.. affogato I still treat myself to an occasional indulgence. Find coffee harder to eliminate than...
Urologist reran urine tests/blood work and all was good. Discussions of symptoms led him to that dx. Carbonated water is so refreshing, especially in hot weather. My cousin, who is an MD, also...
I just realized I neglected to update … urologist appointment and dx with an overactive bladder … and yes caffeine (among other things) contribute to it. I have eliminated coffee and stopped my...
Curious charlie789, what inflammatory arthritis have you been diagnosed with? What in your imagining showed that it was inflammatory? Thanks!...
@bb104 If I end up being dx with IC, yes, very similar...
@quincy I was just reading about diagnosing interstial cystitis via cystoscopy and saw that a hydrodistension can be done at the same time so this could be why your symptoms have abated. I normally...
Thank you all for your valuable information - I’m less concerned that my oral mesalamine is the cause (phew!) and wouldn’t be surprised if all stems from Post menopausal issues. I’ll be working...
Thank for your comments. No kidney function tests have been run on me for a few years. Cultures were done by ob-gyn and negative and he said if they were negative that I need to see a urologist …...
I’ve been on Asacol for decades (2400mg/day) and have started having possible kidney issues, originally thought to be a UTI and treated twice by ob-gyn with antibiotics which relieve symptoms but...
Mine retired a few years ago too and I’m not a fan of my new one either … I was with my old one for 30 yrs and had quite a good rapport with him. At this point, they’re just legal drug pushers anyway...
So don’t really “flare” …maintenance dose of asacol HD and eating things in moderation (avoiding things that aggravate me) seem to keep everything under control. Moderate dairy intake with very...
Me!...
Interesting - my bleeding was exasperated with the first treatment with cortenema when first dx with proctitis … it was instantaneous and worsened with each subsequent application … after a few...
Sorry to hear that you don’t feel supported by your physicians … persuasiveness sounds like a good plan - hope it worked for you - unless the docs can justify why they won’t prescribe it. We have to...
I agree stereo - I think it’s the least toxic for us and it has been almost my exclusive rx for the past 30 yrs - I was just telling my husband that I wish I had kept a record of how much the cost...
Lots of postings for patients on biologics. Anyone still on Asacol HD ? How much do you spend out of pocket /mo?...
@Flowersgal - unfortunately Asacol manufacturer does not offer patient assistance ... it’s a golden goose for them why would they offer discounts to suffering patients?! My apologies for my flippant...
Thanks @Flowersgal but unfortunately I would not qualify for assistance because I still work (PT) and am not yet collecting social security - my income isn’t that high but certainly doesn’t qualify...
Yes everyone should be up in arms that the makers of mesalamine are price gouging preventing reasonable pricing for the insurance companies to provide coverage and preventing the patient from...
Always taken brand - hesitant to switch meds especially because I know what I’ve used for 25+ years has worked ... just irks me that the pharmaceutical company has cornered the market and blatantly...
Big Pharma - especially brand manufacturers of mesalamine have been price gouging and cornering the market for years ... see my post from today - they no longer sell (Asacol HD manufactured in...
I’m an American and just went to refill my rx for brand (not generic) Asacol HD with my usual Canadian pharmacy only to be told that this rx sourced from Canadian manufacturer, Allergan Inc, is no...
Arthritis in my hands feet & back here and keeping moving is my best medicine - too sedentary and more pain ... heating pad does wonders on my lumbar osteoarthritis when it acts up ... water exercise...
So no rxs while in remission?! Wow. I’ve mainly been on Asacol since the onset of my dx decades ago - tried going rx-free about 10 years ago but that proved disastrous and required increased dosages...
thanks @ipoop Had I just been starting on this journey I would probably consider plastic-free but 30 yrs later doesn’t really much sense to be...
No worries - it’ll eventually get under control again. I foolishly tried going RX-free after being in remission for 20+ years ... it took a good 6 months with higher Asacol dosages and Rowasa enemas...
@straydog ... ran across this info here https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3819538/ @quincy ... just read above article today ... threw it out here to see if anyone knew anything about it...
Has anyone’s doctors suggested rx changes due to Phthalates (plastics) in Asacol?...
Contemplating getting the shingles vaccine - if you’re beyond that 50-ish age have you gotten them? Any adverse reactions?...
Couldn’t agree more. When I began conversations and considerations of being involved with advocacy groups of big IBD “charities” I realized that they appeared to support the pharmaceuticals’...
1 definition of obsession - an idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person's mind. If all you're thinking about all day is what processed food you're going to avoid next or...
I haven’t yet listened to this article but my first thought is that I’m all for eating whole foods and avoiding processed ones - I see nothing obsessive or negative in this thinking....
frustrating isn’t it ... just look at how allegran plays games in keeping their exorbitant pricing...
Sorry to hear of this situation. I’ve been in remission since dx (except when, stupidly attempting to go rx-free, on mesalamines, mainly Asacol HD (and Asacol). I don’t understand your comment...
After more than 20 years on some sort of 5ASA keeping me in remission I thought it was worth a try to be Rx-free and, without consulting my gastroenterologist, stopped taking my Asacol thinking diet...
As we patients gradually move towards purchasing outside the US and pharmaceutical companies’ profits slowly begin to dwindle what will our backlash be?...
The_Swan I too purchase from outside the country. The cost difference is crazy and with a high deductible insurance plan it makes no sense to purchase in the US even if the medication was part of the...
I am no longer on a group insurance plan - Asacol is no longer on my insurance formulary unless I fail on other 5-ASA’s first. I refuse to be a guinea pig - knowing full well Asacol has been 100%...
Thank you for sharing The_Swan. What a frightful way to go into surgery - may the Angels continue to watch over you, me and everyone else inflicted with this disease....
Thanks for chiming in The_Swan I can certainly understand the diligence for your annual scopes. Curious, had your UC been symptomatic free, ie, in remission, through the duration of your pancolitis...
Thanks ipoop I know - I hear the statistics but I don’t hear from any UC patients that face CRC too ... maybe when I hit 65 y/o I’ll switch to annual - for now I’ll compromise and do one every 18...
Very astute @IamCurious. I’m always the skeptic (after all the pharmaceutical companies have created the opioid epidemic) and my GI is retiring at the end of June - I wonder if he’s just trying to...
@TroubledTurds Have never been a otc customer (even pre-UC). No not taking anything for the arthritis (or anything else) stay active/mobile, avoid all preservatives and lean toward an anti...
Thanks MariaMaria yes, cost is certainly a deterrent. When I asked my doctor about his patients and CRC he could only site one of them that developed CRC in her 80s. My doctor has had his practice...
@3timechamp Yikes - I’ll try to remain pneumonia-free. Sorry you’re enduring such agony. Scary how things can change so quickly). I’ve managed to avoid antibiotics since 1995! (Extremely germaphobic,...
After almost 30 years of UC my gastroenterologist wants to begin annual colonoscopies. My UC has remained in remission with 5-ASA medication with no flares. Is there that much of an increase of...
Never eaten an excessive animal based diet so perhaps this is why I remain in remission. Now, in addition to limiting meat, I also limit gluten, sugar, and dairy ... helps my arthritis too. E.g....
Yes, struggle with fatigue even in remission. Fatigue was my first symptom (and it has never subsided - I’ve just learned to manage it better). I was a very energetic young woman, on a successful,...
Hmmmm ... food for thought 🤣...