I understand where you are coming from. My meds and hospital bills are definitely starting to hit me where it hurts. One of my meds costs $400 w/o insurance! (Thank the Lord for health insurance!)I also want to switch over to an all organic diet, but both organic foods and medication costs money.

I decided that I was not going to switch over to organic foods until my UC was under control. And yes the meds are hurting my budget, but I've come to realize that you have to prioritize when it comes to things like that. My health is my number one right now. If I have not pay a bill one month to get my meds, then I would rather do that.

You don't want to put yourself in a position where you might get REALLY sick. I don't know if you have really searched through this site, but there are people with UC and Crohn's that can't work because their condition is so bad. I never want to be that sick. I am going to do my best to take care of myself so that I can function like a normal person.

Just think about how screwed you are going to be if you are in the hospital because you couldn't afford your meds.

I can relate to what you are saying Asacol is very expensive I had to pay out of pocket for awhile I had no insurance it was around $550 for a months supply it killed me financially but it was nothing compared to the income I would lose if I got really sick I'm not going to lie I cut down on the amount that I took a day to stretch it out for more than a month but you are still going to need to take it to reduce the chance of a major flare up. See if your pharmacy will allow you to purchase it on a weekly basis instead of one large payment that is what I did but you will have to go to a mom and pop drug store not a major drug store they are more likely to work with you. Eating only the things you are allowed will help but take it from me I had this illness since I was 12 years old during my 25 years dealing with U.C. and Crohns I've learn that you can avoid all your triggers and still get flare ups if you go it without your meds not to say even with the meds that you will never get a flare up but it will reduce the amount of flare ups and how long it last and reduce need for hospitalization and need for surgery. You will ask yourself what is the less of two evils. I know it sucks because we are suppose to reduce our stress which is a major trigger but paying your bills then add medication and healthcare cost it is very hard. I hope some of my suggestion help take care of yourself

I would check with dr and then see about those organizations that pay for meds, I have seen MOntel do ads for them. Also some drug companies are willing to help. Check the generic list at WalMart too and see if there is anything esle the dr. could put you on. The issue with going off meds is the inflamation can come back with a vengance. Hope this helps. Take care.

Please check out www.pparx.org for lists of meds that you can get help for your meds. You can get Asacol for free. Please check as soon as possible, they list Asacol as a med they cover.

Generic in Canada as low as $.32 ea for Asacol. Yeah it sucks that it's $142 ea in this country.

getting off my meds was the best thing i ever did... watch what u eat, drink aloe vera juice a few times a day, glutamine is a cheap supplement that is also great for crohn's, eat alot of brown rice... give it a try. stay away from ANY refined foods, sugars, NO soda drinks, NO fast food... tons of good books out there to help you. i doubt any doctor would recommend getting off of meds (they get kick backs for prescriptions)
just be careful! make the switch gradually...

I researched a diet that sounded great. book was written by a man who had Crohn's since he was 17. Diet is called the Makers Diet. The eating plan did not seem to expensive but the supplements (made by him go figure) were astronomical. I can relate to the whole med thing cause I am in same place right now. I work 3 Jobs 1 full time and 2 part time my husband works full time as well but on restriction for his shoulder (might need surgery). We barely live paycheck to paycheck and we don't live extragently. We don't own a home our car which just died was a 94. I cant choose not to pay a bill or get groceries for my family to get my meds. I have been off of them for 4 wks now and waiting for a flare up since I am not in remission. All I want to do is cry right now but I keep plugging along and paying my bills and praying for an answer.

also wanted to add that I checked out the www.pparx.org site and if you make to much money no matter how much you actually get to keep you don't qualify for their help. But that doesn't mean don't try cause if you do qualify then that is one stress off your mind. Good luck and don't put yourself in my spot by volunteering to stop taking meds, and yes talk to your doc first.

Before you stop your medication talk to your physician about asking the drug reps in his/her office to supply you with sample. The makers of Pentasa did this for me with the help of my doctor for 18 months. I do understand how difficult this is but there are ways around it without stopping your meds. Remember if you can't function and end up in the hospital it will cost you more. I also wanted to say that I don't know of any physicians that receive kick backs on drugs. Good luck.

Look into homeopathics in you area. I started going to a homepathic certified healer and now I'm off my meds and starting to get better. My asacol bill was $800 a month and there was no way I could live like that. So I found another way and I'm sooo happy i did. Good luck! Just keep your chin up. It'll all work out for the best.

You do not want to end up where I am right now, in the hospital. I've been here for a week now. you can get help with prescriptions.

well im 16 and i ment to t8ke my meds but havet for about 1y5m and been ok till this 3 weeks so relly you be ok off it till u get some monny hope that helps

i had my dr actual gave me asacal samples.. which i thought was very helpful cause my medical bills were getting paid by the state and they wouldn't cover any medication.. ask your dr if they could give ya some samples and that would be very helpful for you.. just to let you know i'm low income so i know how much strain it is to work one job and make ends meet..

I take Asacol but I have a weekly episode of colitis. I began to doubt that it was helping me at all. So, I started to slowly wean myself off of it. Big mistake. I am back to my normal dose. I just need to make an appointment with my Doc to see if this weekly attack can be controlled.

I didn't have any prescription coverage for 5 years. We were unable to get any help from the free meds people because we made $25 too much a year. My meds at that time cost between $1500-1800 per month. Every charge card we have was maxed out when we finally got good insurance. My docs were helpful and provided me with as many samples as they could.

Me, I won't take the risk again. I lost 10lbs during the time I was weaning myself off of it.

Aske your doctor for help. you need your meds. i am just lucky .i didnt have a flare up for four year until may of this year. and the zocor the doctor put me on caused me to have a flare up.