My story...

By Carlos123

1 min read

Back in 2017-2018 I was admitted to the hospital when I wasn’t feeling well and I wasn’t getting better. With no insurance, I was given an IV drip, told that I had sepsis and could’ve died and discharged with a $5,500 bill with only 20% covered by assistance.

Since then, my body endured a severe change where I bleed, strain, have diarrhea, gut leak, headaches, muscle aches, hemorrhoids due to straining and constant stomach pains. I even have incredibly itchy skin all over my body and I think I’ve read it could be related but I know it’s def something I never had before.

I have no health insurance, I’ve been declined Medicaid every 60 days for the last few years. I’m unemployed and incapable of affording private care/insurance of my own so I’ve just learned to live with these symptoms. They are incredibly uncomfortable. I’m dealing with depression and fear of even going back to a job due to flare ups.

I have no idea if it is Crohn’s disease, IBS, IBD, UC or what it could be. I’ve been rejected from plenty of walk-ins because of Covid and not accepting new patients etc...I’m getting close to just going to the hospital and getting another $5,000 bill but I found this website and wanted to share my story to get advice. I deal with sleepless nights, I’ve tried changing my diet, taking probiotics, anti-itch/hemorrhoid creams and anything else you can imagine.

Maybe this forum can offer some insight. I appreciate any advice.

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thedancingcrohnie Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="Carlos123" user-id="4168257"/> I am so sorry you are going through this! Unfortunately, the only way to be diagnosed is through testing which means you will be charged and I know how in your situation that can be extremely stressful. I personally was diagnosed through blood work and a colonoscopy. Just a thought, is there a community clinic/office where you can visit a GI. In my city we have them, and they see patients who don't have insurance and charge on a sliding scale. Maybe you can see a GI that way and go from there? I really hope you get relief soon and start to feel better. Sending strength your way, Elizabeth (team member)
Carlos123 Member
Thank you for your kind words. Can you offer any advice on dealing with symptoms. Is it safe to use anti-itch/hemorrhoid cream indefinitely? I don’t see much discussion (or even information) on gut leak. I’m going to look into a GI that offers sliding scale! I appreciate your response. 
1. thedancingcrohnie Moderator & Contributor
 Dealing with symptoms can be different for everyone but for me personally, I find that diet is what keeps me feeling my best. When I am diligent with staying away from trigger foods, getting proper sleep, doing light exercise and keeping stress low is when I feel the best. As far as the Hemorrhoid cream, I have no idea. That would be something to ask your doctor about. -Elizabeth (team member)
seth Member
<inline-mention username="Carlos123" user-id="4168257"/> Sorry to hear your condition. not all hope is lost. After long 10 years, and playing with different diets, different supplements and medicines, I did finally find a cure. please see the topic I posted "Cured-Ulcerative Colitis" https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/forums/cured-ulcerative-colitis
1. Pam.Jajko Community Admin
 Unfortunately there is currently no known cure for IBD or colitis. We welcome everyone to share what has helped their symptoms, but please remember everyone’s experience is unique when it comes to treatment. Thank you!- Pam (team member)
isaiahch40vs29 Member
Hi Carlos! I am so sorry you are experiencing these awful symptoms! I hope you have found some relief in the year since you posted this. Your symptoms sound very similar to my original UC symptoms, especially the itchy skin! My GI doctor later told me that a rash is one of the textbook, initial, non-gut(I can't remember the proper term) Ulcerative Colitis symptoms. Mine was really weird and for the life of me, I could not find any rash on the internet that matched mine until, that is, I found this site. In the menu, you can find a list of symptoms and complications of IBD, including a few skin conditions. My rash acts most closely to the Sweet's Syndrome rash, but yours might match one of the other ones. As far as managing the symptoms while figuring out finances, the greatest cliche may be the most helpful; be careful of what you eat. Make note of what makes you feel worse, and when you avoid something, make note of whether you found some relief. Even if it is something you ate all your life with no problems, check it out. I grew up eating farm eggs almost every day of my life(#farmlife), so I never expected eggs to be an allergy until a really random sensitivity test showed positive sensitivity, extremely so, to eggs. Cutting out the foods I am sensitive to has brought a lot of relief. It is a slow and arduous process, but well worth it if it helps you, and it is something you can do at home. But most of all, don't lose hope. The hardest part comes when you still have to wake up every day despite the pain, and there is no way to opt-out. We have to keep going, and we are stronger for it. We possess a strength as unique as our pain. You are worth continuing. I don't know you, but I know that the world would be different without you. Find something or someone that makes you laugh. Find a rose to smell. Breathe. Draw hope and strength from this community that knows how you feel and who have already climbed many mountains much like your own. We aren't all in the same boat, but our boats are similar shapes, all in the same angry ocean. I'm sorry if that was too much, but I do hope, pray, that this helps you where ever you are in your health journey. May you find peace and relief from pain and financial burdens. ~Beth
1. Eshani Agrawal Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="isaiahch40vs29" user-id="2229676"/> Hi Beth, I just wanted to say that your analogy of the boats was written so beautifully! It can certainly be an angry ocean, but I am always grateful for the refuge of my own boat (and who I get to take on it - my friends and family and community!). Thanks for this. <3 -Eshani (IBD Team Member)

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