Please help! Sick, in severe pain, and no insurance.

[hhdavid]

I've had stomach problems for about 4 years now. When it first started my DO put me on Nexium and Celebrex and diagnosed me with arthritis.First started out as constant nausea with intermittent diarrhea, and I had formed stools often. Now I am constantly nauseated, making 10-15 trips to the bathroom daily with a lot of pain. Always watery stools, sometimes smells like blood, and sometimes it's just mucous. My stomach is constantly sore and bloated, and I've gained about 50 lbs in the last six months. Even Sprite makes me nauseous. Most of the time I just don't eat. I've had to quit work due to the fatigue, and I sleep constantly to deal with the pain. When I did work I had to take Immodium daily just to be able to work and not be in the bathroom constantly. Then when I did have a stool it felt like my stomach was going to drop out of my rectum. I have no medical insurance, and will have to find a job with insurance just so I can get this checked out. But now the arthritic pain is severe in my hands, knees and my right foot constantly hurts and I walk with a constant limp from the pain. Could this be Crohn's, IBS, or what? Sorry this is so long, but I can't deal with this anymore. The depression is getting really bad.

[anderon830]

I also suffer from severe pain in joints from crohn's.  I started Humira shots 9 months ago with very good reuslts.  I still have back pain of unknown origin (?adhesions) The humira company provides the drug for $50/mo with a special card from your rheumatologist.  Also found affordable insurance (258/mo.) offered through my state for high risk  people like us as my son has crohns too and is uninsured.  Check out the CCFA.org site and they may be able to help.  I live in Arkanasas but most states provide something similar.  Good luck

Pat

[tjoan910canadian]

I am so sorry to hear this.......that is a lot of money ......good idea about educating yourself.......and maintaining a positive outlook....and watch the foods you eat.....and keep a diary of what foods seem to be okay and what causes problems.....process of elimination......if you can ....afford them....get some probiotics...(they cannot hurt).....do some deep breathing exercises or Yoga......for relaxation.......I wish I could do more and that is what is really frustrating about forums and groups .....is only the ability of giving written advice and virtual hugs........please keep in touch.

[hhdavid]

I went to the lab today, and the Celiac blood tests are $300 cash up front. It will be a few weeks before I am able to afford this. I am a little disappointed as this is not what I was told at the doctor's office before I went to the lab. In the meantime I think my doctor is going to order a stool test. While I'm waiting on the other tests I will continue to educate myself and try to maintain a positive attitude. I'm not looking forward to another month or more being sick and in pain, but I'm just going to take it one day at a time. Not guaranteed any more than that anyway. :)

[hhdavid]

Good tips. Thank you so much. I'm starting to wean off the sugar now. I'm weaning off because I'm already so sick and I don't want to feel worse than I already do.
It's hard to see a gastroenterologist regularly when I don't have insurance and I'm not working because I'm too sick. I have to keep eating gluten right now so it won't mess up my tests, but as soon as they are over I'm going GF even if they are negative, just because I'm so sick and tired of feeling like this, sick and tired. Sometimes I don't eat. It's not a stupid move when it doubles you over in pain. The gut needs to heal sometimes. Yes, I will get better, but my gut needs to rest. And I've found that the more I eat right now the sicker I get. I do force myself to eat at least one meal a day right now. I'm glad you found a way that works for you. I'm on that same path to find what works for me. Stay well.

[hope1979]

I'm 30 now. I've had UC since I was 5 on and off.  Lately I've started to "control" it.  Here is what I do.  Number one is lower your stress level.  Stess is the number one cause so I take out 1 hour in a day to do some deep breathing and relaxing.  Next is diet.  Have some control over what you eat!  Dairy is no good.  Eat bland soft foods.  Take your Probiotics.  Keep the acid level down (more acid = more bad bacteria).  Life can be tough but smile and laugh, things will turn around.  I take Asacol 4, 4x/day and you need a B Complex as well as Folic Acid.  (Folic Acid reduces the chances of colon cancer.)  See your Gastroenterologist regularly.  Eat banana's (potassium intake is necessary and banana is easy to digest).  NO ROUGHAGE! = No pulp no fruit skin, no citrus stuff, and I can't stress enough ELIMINATE WHITE SUGAR COMPLETELY FOR LIFE.  Increase L-Glutamine intake.  2x daily.  Limit hard to digest stuff like meats.  NO MORE DRINKING NO MORE RED MEATS!  A bowl of yogurt every day helps the gut.  Don't ever stop eating, that's a stupid move.  Even if it doesn't stay in, force yourself.  Trust me, you will get better.  Exercise a little every day, walks, start with 2 min, then 5 then 10 then 20...exercise decreases stress.  Flare up will always happen no matter what. I am in a flare up but I am keeping to my UC diet and so far so good.  They did find a reason for the illness.  Our body some how produces E Coli. on it's own (from bad diet or trauma).  Now they will find how to eradicate it on site.  I hope this helps.  I'm not a doctor, this was all trial and error.  Best of luck to everyone that suffers from this illness.  It's not fun, but don't lose hope live your life to the fullest and you will get better.

[tjoan910canadian]

Thank you for the update.....and I hope you get your Internet up and running again....I am happy that you like your doctor.......and that he is getting you all the tests that you need.....if I can be of any help......just let me know.....

[hhdavid]

I went to the clinic today and I really like my doctor! He went out of his way to make sure the IgA, tTG, and IgA+EMA tests I will be taking tomorrow are covered and they won't cost me anything! He also prescribed me Lasix and potassium to see if we can get the swelling in my feet and ankles to go down.
I'll keep you posted. I will possibly have an interruption in internet service at the end of this week thanks to my outrageous utility bill, so if you don't hear from me for a while, that's why. But I'll be back! ;)

[hhdavid]

Didn't get to see the doctor today but I got the paperwork for the sliding scale fee and I will fill it out tonight and go back in the morning to see the doctor. Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts.

Hugs back to you,
Helen

[tjoan910canadian]

My thoughts are with you and please let us know the results and then we can be here for you.......hugs

[hhdavid]

Sorry to hear about your niece. I hope she is doing okay. I'm leaving for the clinic in about 45 minutes, and yes it will be a relief to have a diagnosis. At least then I can start making some decisions that will lead to better health instead of wondering and suffering.
Take care, too. :)

[tjoan910canadian]

I pray that it is not Celiac disease.....that is a tough one.....my 10 yr. old neice was diagnosed just recently with that and she is also diabetic ....having daily insulin shots.....I have suspected even myself having Celiac Disease or at minimum allergic reaction to gluten at times........I suppose it will be a relief to have some form of DX.....please take care

[hhdavid]

Thanks, Vinny. The Lord is the only thing that has gotten me through it all.
Take care, and hope you have some good days soon. :)

[vinnybinny58]

also i would like to extend my  sympathy concerning that horrible traumatic event, it is unbelievable your not going crazy, but you sure are suffering, and i strongly suspect the Lord will help us all who are on this community this year feel better and get the health issues we have half gone or helped...hhdavid, joan, Bless you and best of health, try dietr change, and, also, if youcan find a doc who believes, fish oil supplements are what i take that do seem to help i do say that genuinely, and of course, STRESS, is actually the number one hurt of Crohns suffers, stress makes us just get inflammed like you cant believe...crohns is uncureable, but definitely livable, 100%..........

[vinnybinny58]

Hi..Im 58..I have Crohns; I was diagnosed in 2003, i started taking the meds, im a vet, so i was at the VA hospital in NYC, i had my galbladder out in sept of 2004; i dont know if it was related to my Crohns, but they said it was cancerous...the meds i was taking were  Mesalimine, it is a lot to take every day, 4 pills 4X a day...it makes me feel sick and i was feeling the diareaha as if the meds were giving me that, i havent taken the meds since 2006; i sont want to take them, i do not follow a god diet, i have muscle atrophy because of the crohns too, and i have worse arthritis knees especially, get up sometimes just kills me; it is good to take fish oil supplements, 1-3 grams of it, and i would be ok if i didnt eat such stupid food, dairy is bad for us who have crohns, you can ever digest it, not until you one day have the crohns under control;  i am anemic, i take iron supplements but not as much as i should, i moved away from NYC to here in Arkansas,i though it would be warmer her, lol, boy oh boy, whata mistake, the cold gets right thru my bones, because of my muscle atrophy, i am going to start eating right, no more dairy stuff, and  i like soda, and it is very bad, dont drink it, imodium is good, i take 2 pills every four hours when i started to get off the meds in 2004, but soon those 2 pills will  not work like they did so good because my diet is really bad; the diet is the number one thing you have to conquer, then, you need to be diagnosed 100% you have crohns or IBS, i have found out that i have gained weight, because, when we eat whatever we eat thats not good, and we have no muscle, like i do , it becomes fat immediately..,so thats the basic reason for weight gain, ok, Im vinny, id too like to hear from anyone to talk to about this stomach stuff, i have more bad days than good, and again, i do hate the cold, its no good..take care, and hope i gave you some little something ok hhdavid...

[hhdavid]

I went to the ER tonight. I was just too sick today and I couldn't take it anymore. When I got to my room in the ER my nurse was wonderful. She has Celiac disease, and was so helpful. The doctor referred me to a clinic across the street from the hospital that only cost $20 for your first visit, and then they work on a sliding scale based on income. The ER Dr. gave me some Levsin to start out with and I'm getting some Bentyl. Since I am of Irish ancestry both the nurse and the Dr. are suspecting Celiac. I'll find out more tomorrow, hopefully.
Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the help.

[hhdavid]

Thanks, I'll get some. Hugs to you, too. :)

[tjoan910canadian]

P.S> I am not saying this could help but it might help......  could you get some "probiotics" at the pharmacy they can do you no harm.....I take one capsule daily and they do help me with diarhea......

[tjoan910canadian]

You are definately in trouble.......I am so sorry for all that you had to experience and trauma like that can definately take it's toll on one's body for sure.......I agree wholeheartedly that you should either see a doctor ASAP or go to emergency because girl you cannot go on like that at all......you need nourishment of some sort....and of course your body will put on weight to store what fat you are putting into your system...because of the fear of starvation.........sometimes we have to take control with our minds to........and believe that you will get well and believe that you will heal emotionally also......I really hope and pray that you find out what is wrong and get healthy.....hugs to you

[hhdavid]

No, I haven't had a colonoscopy or ultrasound or any other tests for Crohn's. Didn't mean to confuse you. Let me start from the beginning, sorry if it's long. I had an emotional/psychological traumatic event in 2004 in which I witnessed my husband's homicide. Was making it sorta okay for about 6 weeks, then suddenly was in intense pain, almost bedridden for six weeks. Nauseated and in intense pain constantly, couldn't eat. I went to my family physician, was prescribed pain meds, muscle relaxers, anxiety meds. Didn't get better. She referred me to a DO and a grief counselor. The DO and counselor both agreed the grief and shock from witnessing the shooting of my husband "went into my body" and the DO said I had arthritis with cervical spondylosis. I had xrays, pain meds, muscle relaxers (and Nexium, Topomax and Celebrex) and steroid injections (not completely covered by my ins) for over a year. Got better psychologically and spiritually, but not physically. It got too expensive, and I quit getting the injections and weaned off the meds and learned to live with the pain. But the arthritis and digestion problems just got worse. Went from occasional to constant nausea and diarrhea, and the arthritis pain has increased and I had to quit work last August. I just couldn't do it anymore. For the last year it's been constant fatigue, stomach pain and soreness, diarrhea between 10-20 times a day, mostly liquid and mucous. Sometimes it's dark and sometimes I don't make it to the bathroom or through a meal before I have to go. And in the last 4 months my legs and feet have been swollen really bad, and my hands. Rain and cold are absolute torture. I haven't seen a Rheumatologist or a GI doctor because of lack of insurance. But it's gotten to the point that I have to do something because I'm basically incapacitated. I have a heating pad on my stomach constantly, and most of the time I just don't eat, only one meal a day because it's just too painful. But the bloating, nausea and diarrhea are constant now. My stomach is very distended and I've gained 50 lbs. in the last six months, which I don't understand because I'm hardly eating anything and it doesn't stay in me very long.
Sorry this is so long and drawn out. Thank you for your reply. I'm about at the end of my rope, and thinking about just going to the emergency room and seeing what they will do or if they can tell me anything.
Thanks for the site. I'll definitely check it out. I'm also going to do the liquid diet for a while to try to get some relief.
You take care, too. :)

[tjoan910canadian]

First of all have you had a colonoscopy, or Ultra Sounds or any other tests to see if you do have Crohn's Disease..  The doctor diagnosed you with Arthritis.....I am confused as you said: I quote......First started out as constant nausea with intermittent diarrhea, and I had formed stools often....then  why were you diagnosed with Arthritis.....were you sent to a Rheumatologist for this diagnosis.
It sounds like you definately do have something going on.....like  crohn's disease but I cannot make the diagnosis.....you really need to see a doctor and take care of it....also watch what you eat......in the meantime..........take care

Here is an excellent site to check out!

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/crohns/

[hhdavid]

Also I've been off the Celebrex for years, and I'm not taking Nexium not. I'm not taking anything but Tylenol and Immodium. I also have really bad swelling in my feet and legs constantly.