Sunday, February 12, 2012

Wednesday, October 08, 2008 Caryn asks

Q: I have IBS with bacteria no insurance can't afford the med what

should I do?  I've been paying out of pocket from upper endoscopy, ultrasound, and stool cultures at the lab.  My prescription is $145.00 for 10 pills.  I've been taking dicyclomine 20mgs 2x daily with alot of side effects.  Yes it helps me to move my bowels probaly but the side effects are so severe Dr. told me to stop taking it.  Catch 22........  I stopped taking it and I feel even worse severe stomach pain came back and know I go to move my bowels and it's stuch with very little bowel coming out of me which leads to even more pain.  Yes I am taking it once again because I can't afford the antibatoic, but I can't work as a waitress for almost a month because of the severe side effects.  Very frustrated!!!!  It totally interfered with my daily life and I'm not a sick person.  I'm very active but my whole life changed in this last month.  Also I had a hysterectomy last Dec. so it's not even one year from abdominal surgery!! Any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated.  PS:  I had county insurane here in Florida for the hysterectomy, but when I returned back to work after that surgery they cancelled my county insurance.

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Answers (3)
10/ 9/08 10:14am

Hello, Caryn.

 

Thank you for writing. I'm so sorry you have been feeling poorly, but I'm happy you have found some things that do help.

 

This forum is dedicated to information and issues related to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but I can suggest that you check out the patient information sections of the web sites of the companies that produce any brand name drugs that you are taking. Most of the companies have programs to help people who can not afford to pay for their prescriptions, and some of these programs even have special waivers for insured people who have extraordinary medical expenses or other catastrophic issues.

 

Good luck.

 

Hope

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10/ 9/08 2:47am

I can tell you that if you can not get on state medical help through the dept. of social services then talk to your doctor their are companys that the public does not know about that will provide your meds free of charge and the doctor has the numbers for you to contact. I am on pentasa 500mg 8 pills a day 240 pills a month cost 500.00 month along with other meds. cost around 1,000.00 month and doctor appt. every 30 days so to sum it up i have no money or insurance. Check on this.

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10/11/08 7:34pm

Hello.  I am a registered nurse/patient care coordinator.  I deal with the medication issue/no insurance issue on almost a daily basis.  As Hope indicated there are a wide variety of companies who will provide the medications at a low cost or, in some cases, free of charge (from my experiences with this issue).  Also important is to contact the Department of Social Services to see if you do qualify for any assistance.  Let us know how things turn out, would you?

 

 

Mary Lee

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