I've recently been approved for SS Disability, not due to my ileostomy, but definitely due to the complications resulting from that surgery and being in ICU and rehab for over 6 weeks. I came away from that experience being physically challenged with constant hernias erupting and repairs that didn't work very well to the point that I'm physically unable to lift more than 5lbs (forget a gallon of milk, hey?). Anyway, while I was looking at possible options to reduce my out-of-pocket costs since SS doesn't pay very much and I need ostomy supplies...I found a website called http://www.needymeds.org. This is an amazing organization where you can reduce your prescription costs to almost nothing. For this, you can still have medical coverage - and still receive the benefits of lower-costing meds which are exactly the same as what you are taking now. Also on this site, there are diseases categorized by cause (like IBS, ileostomy, cancer, etc.) and if you click on your own "disease" you will find resources that are just right for you. Since I have an ileostomy, I clicked on that and it brought me to another website that offers every ostomy supply imaginable - for FREE - you are only responsible for paying the postage and handling fees! This is for the UNINSURED only, but at least we now know that there is something we can count on should we become uninsured for whatever reason. So, for those in the USA who are uninsured/uninsurable and getting low on hope, I urge you to check out needymeds.org for your ostomy supplies. You won't find anything better than what they are offering. I hope this helps to relieve some of the burdens that you might be carrying. All the best!

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HenryM
If I was a relative newbie with an ostomy, I have no doubt that this site would be very helpful to me. The members are quick to respond to questions and issues and they are filled with experience. When I joined, I already had a lifetime with an ostomy, so I just regard it as a place to meet and communicate with other folks similarly situated. Either way, it is a good site.