MICROSCOPIC COLITIS SUPPORT

Hi everyone, I haven't posted for a while, but I'm hoping someone in the forum can comment on using the RX drug Dapsone for Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH). I've tested negative twice via blood tests for Celiac, but cannot handle gluten at all. Not only do I experience digestive symptoms, but I also b...

I definitely had symptoms, but went undiagnosed. My weight and stature were normal, but I had constant digestive problems from a young age, numerous ear infections, and a persistent problem w/ bed wetting among other symptoms--all of which I've seen noted as being associated w/ gluten and even other...

Sara and Wayne, thank you for the quick and informative replies. I'm going to stay off the VSL for a while until the inflammation calms down and then experiment by slowly re-introducing it. I had read the information on the manufacturer website about the dairy and lactose issues, but in general my r...

Is it possible to have sleep apnea, or something very similar, w/out fitting the traditional stereotype of being overweight with a tendency towards snoring? I ask because I sleep terribly--waking up many times a night--but have never been told I snore and am actually quite underweight. It seems no m...

My insurance company recently started covering VSL #3 DS so I've been lucky enough to get a 90 day supply at a low cost. I started taking the VSL #3 slowly--1/2 a packet once a day in the evening right before going to sleep. My Ulcerative Colitis has been under control for quite a while now due to a...

Just to give a quick update, I'm STILL fighting w/ my insurance company. It's been over 5 months since I had the colonoscopy that is at the heart of my coverage dispute. Essentially, there were 3 claims as part of my colonsocopy: The first was payment to the actual GI doctor performing the procedure...

Gabes--I see what you're saying about the IBD grouping. Makes sense from their perspective to simplify things. GrannyH--You're definitely right. I've been persistent thus far, but I'm going to have to work on the patience part. I just don't like having these huge bills hanging over my head. I've kep...

Gabes, That's very interesting info. I wasn't familiar with insurance companies basing their coding assessments on the published articles of specialists. If that's truly the case here in the US, too, I hope they're at least keeping up to date w/ the latest published research and findings. Otherwise,...

Arlene, You and I think alike. I've definitely contemplated going that route when I need my next colonoscopy in 2 years. Unfortunately, I am forced to disclose my UC diagnosis since I am not in the age range (>50) where preventive colonoscopies are offered w/out question. If I simply ask for a colon...

JMayk, Thanks for the info. I think you're right, it's going to be a long battle with my insurance company to get them to pay the correct amount. My feeling is that once things are in their favor (ie. improper coding), they are reluctant to correct the error w/out overwhelming evidence (medical note...

Arlene, Thanks for your response. I've started looking in to my state's Insurance Commission and how they might be able to help me. I'm hoping I won't have to include them in this mess and that my insurance company will resolve this amicably, but if need be it's good to know I have other resources. ...

Gloria, Thank you for the response. You're correct in saying that the problem seems to be w/ the diagnosis being coded incorrectly. My concern is all the hoops I'm having to jump through to get the coding corrected, which really shouldn't be this difficult. Well, there's that concern, and also the m...

Hi everyone, I haven't been active on the boards for a while, but I'm back to see if anyone can answer my questions regarding insurance coverage for a colonoscopy. Background: I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis (UC) in 2003 after experiencing symptoms and undergoing a colonoscopy. The diagnosis...

I haven't posted in a long time because I had been feeling pretty good and it seemed as though my diet had my ulcerative colitis symptoms under control. Unfortunately, that's no longer the case. About two months ago, I started to experience some symptoms of the colitis--specifically a small amount o...

Like you, I'm 26. I was diagnosed w/ Ulcerative Colitis at the age of 19. It's not the same as Microscopic Colitis, but I can control my colitis 100% through a diet that shares a lot of similarities w/ others on this board. Getting diagnosed w/ a disease at such a young age, or any age really, isn't...