Doctor is FINALLY making changes

Early this morning I had a Doctor appointment. I have been looking forward to this appointment for 2 weeks. See 2 weeks ago I had a terrible flare up, fever (102.7), mouth sores, abdominal cramping, diarrhea. Fellow chronies you know this is a typical flare up. My problem is I had 3 great months (April, May &June). I didn't wake up sick once & now it seems like I'm right back into my old habits. Feel good for a week then I'm sick for 10 days & it's a terribly vicious cycle. So July flare ups weren't this bad, but now they are back and I hate every moment of them. I also started a new job & I can't take off but I am not productive & I feel awful on a daily basis so I'm struggling. So today I went to my doctor and made him well aware that everything is no longer good, I'm fearful of my disease and the fact that we haven't controlled it yet. I made him aware of my new job & the symptoms I have, along with the number of accidents I've had post surgery, which I still find to be so embarrassing. I feel like with my doctor you have to become stern if you want results otherwise he doesn't take me seriously. So today I was stern & shocker he decided that we need to reevaluate my medicines. So I was ordered a stool test, a MR enterography, a specific blood test (test Remicade effectiveness),added an all natural iron vitamin, & added Ciproflaxcin to my list of current medicine. I go back on September 10 for results and the new plan. Lets hope we have answers as to why I'm having these flares up & a new method to fight my disease. I am just so sick of being sick. Those 3 months were amazing & I will hold onto those moments as long as possible. However, being so sick again is making those great months seem like such a distant memory, almost like it was all just a dream. Crohn's Casualties please give me your suggestions on how to handle the day to day activities while battling a flare up...I've added Imodium as needed to help make it so I have less accidents when I know I can't make it to a bathroom for a period of time as per my doctors instructions. We all know curling up on the curling up on the couch to indulge in a good memory is preferable solution, but I do not have this option with work. Thank you for any suggestions in advance. I and my bowels appreciate it. I hope everyone enjoys their Labor Day weekend. Take Care

Medicines, Money, Questions, & Stress

So today is infusion day, Yippee skippie!!

I also received a phone call from my pharmacy & my Pentasa needs to be refilled.  I refilled it, but I'm nervous to pick it up & be told once again that it will cost me over $200.  I qualified for charity care through my hospital & have been receiving 100% coverage for all DR visits, infusions, & specialty tests since last June. This worked out perfectly because my surgery, all CTs, MRIs, & 4-7 hospital stays were taken care of. However, it does not cover pharmacy costs & I'm left to pay Pentasa out of pocket after insurance.  It's a lot of $$ & my income just got cut. So my life is on a severe budget. Why does being sick have to be so costly?  I have to reapply for charity care before my next infusion or else I won't be able to afford Remicade either. Prior to being covered it was costing me after insurance $350-500 every 6 weeks. That's $ I don't have! Needless to say I'm sweating some things. I'm lucky that currently minus this momentary stress related flare-up my Crohn's seems to be under control.  The reason it's in check is from my medicines & now I may not be able to afford the medicines, so if I can't afford the meds I go back to crazy flare-ups. This is a vicious cycle & when I think I'm ahead I fall behind. Well can you see why I'm having a stress flare-up?!? Plus things got worse with the family member & now we aren't speaking at all, which may be beneficial for a cool off period.  We're both so emotionally invested.
Fellow Crohn's Casualties this next part is for you. I don't go see my gastro for a little bit & calling him doesn't really help.   I'm curious about a few things & I'm looking for your answers to my questions.
1) During a flare-up when you have diarrhea & you've emptied the bowels, but still feel the need to go, has anyone ever had a mucus substance come out w/ some blood? Does anyone know what this is? My Dr. says he's only concerned if its a large amount of blood because blood in my stool is a constant.
2) Has anyone found anything to settle or lessen the abdominal cramping pain?
3) Has anyone had any luck with writing to a pharmaceutical company to supply meds? Specifically Shire which is the parent company to Pentasa? I was on Shire's website & they don't even have contact info that's close to me. Closest one is Massachusetts & their headquarters are in Ireland & all that's listed are mailing addresses.
4) I was told by my Dr. to not work out seriously, like lift weights or run long distances, which is ok by me because I hate to run.  Does anyone have any exercise tips that are not strenuous to keep my body in shape besides walking?

I believe that's all the questions and stress related talk for now. I hope everyone has a blessed day & thanks for reading, I was able to cut 45 minutes out of my infusion time.
 Take care!