Fighting the turmoil
Mon, May 18, 2015 7:31 PM
I started having problems when I was around 7 years of age, is wasnt till I was 16 before I was diagnosed with cronhs disease. During these first years the pain was off the charts,with many complications such as skin lesions, joint pain, areas of dry flaky skin, weight loss, lack of energy these were the most prevalent. If that was not enough home live was very abusive in just about ever way imaginable, I was beaten most of all as well as told I was just lying about my health problems, this abuse continued till the day I moved out at age 18.At age 16 I was referred to a great doctor whom on my first visit put me into the hospital on complete bowl rest for 3 months at which time they decided that surgery was the best option. They took a large section of the small intestine during this surgery do to the fact it was all most completely closed off, the opening that food was to pass through was the diameter of a sewing needle. This was the first of many surgeries to date 8 in all now leaving me with barely enough small intestine to absorb nutrition. I am now at a point having tried most medication used to help cronhs patients one of which nearly killed me that was remicade, the most resent being cimzia that I can not afford the co pays on even after jumping through hoops to get help with the cost. I pay my own for my own health insurance and all other meds how can one afford a 5000 dollar co-pay twice a month? I get little to no help from my doctor to obtain mediation, the things that happened at home when I was Young are now coming back to mess with my head ptsd and extreme anxiety, which in turn cause stress which causes flair ups. I dont know what to do any more finding a Doctor who would interact with me more and help would be a start but even that I have had no luck. Any suggestions would help. Yes I am seeing a therapist to help with the mental side of things. Any way thats the short of my story
Joined May 11, 2015
Sun, May 24, 2015 11:51 AM
Hi Vbonkers
You are not alone. Please call the IBD Help Center at 888 694-8872 or info@ccfa.org.
There are financial assistance programs that may be able to help with co payments. You may also be able to apply for social security disability if you are too sick to work. Finally CCFA has many support groups. Check out support groups in your area at:http://www.ccfa.org/living-with-crohns-colitis/find-a-support-group/
Joined Oct 12, 2017
Alrightalright