Since Asacol HD is too expensive now, the doc prescribed Balsalazide. He said they have it in generic form. I will still pay the full cost of this medicine but I hope it is cheaper. I will also take Rowasa but that is not a long term thing, again because of the cost.
Nothing has been too effective so far, hopefully Rowasa will help more since it is basically directly applying the medicine to the effected area.
We are trying a patchwork of things at this point. I hate having to put so many different drugs into my system, especially steroids, but there doesn't seem to be a good alternative because of insurance issues!
The discount card program for Asacol HD changed started this year. I paid $50 monthly last year and only get $50 off now. Apparently if you have a insurance plan that covers Asacol HD already, with the changes to the plan you could pay nothing for the meds. Good for some but not for me. =/
Hey, I hope that works for you! I am currently on balsalazide as well (in addition to something stronger) and I take Rowasa occasionally, usually during or after a flare-up. Can you eventually use your discount card on the new stuff?
ReplyDeleteI hear you on the drugs-in-the-system thing, though. I hope you can eventually get away with the least amount of drugs possible. Steroids suck and it's always nice to be off them.
Your profile says you're in Seoul. How does health insurance work there? Any public assistance options, or do you have to find a job with benefits?
Good luck to you. Hope you find something that works for you soon.
The discount card was just for Asacol HD, unfortunately. :(
ReplyDeleteI go between Korea and the US often, but might have to stay in the States awhile because of UC. Health care is very cheap in Korea but the 3 GI doctors I talked to there didn't even know what Mesalamine was!
My current insurance plan counts my UC as pre-existing so I pay basically 100% of all medical costs for it now. Ouch.
Anyways thanks for the comments. :)
nice insurance plan and Discount Card offer
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