redearslider.com

Well here's the deal. My turtle was very very lively and chased his food around and whatnot, but now he has stopped doing so and has become a bit lazy. He does nothing but sit on his basking platform all day, even if the light is off, and he doesn't seem to like going in the water as much. I noticed his top scutes are shedding, but I don't think that is the problem..
When he does get in the water he immediately goes back to his platform or floats about a bit. Today when he went in the water he started paddling about with only the right set of his legs, as if to balance himself. He hasn't eaten in two days either, and he has a couple of feeder fish swimming around his tank just waiting for him. I tried feeding him reptomin too, which he usually adores, and he still refuses to eat and pushes it away.
I am super worried, he was never ever like this before, usually pretty active.. Please, someone give me advice on what to do! :(

I'd start looking into a vet right away. Have you gone over this page: www.redearslider.com/sick_turtle.html

If he has difficulty swimming, take him out of the tank into a nice warm and dry area.

I think I may have to start looking into a vet.. I did go over that page, his water conditions are fine as are his temperatures so perhaps he will get better..
Well, he is on his basking platform, still soaking in the rays so I think that is good. How much do vets charge for consultations? I have a job and everything but I owe my parents some money and I have to put gas in my car and I have bills to pay, not to mention college textbooks I need by the end of this week. x.x
I have no idea how I will ever be able to afford a vet visit..

Till you can get a vet
And IF he can swim confortably
Raise the water teml to 80-82 degrees to boost his immune system
It does look like RI
you going to have to get a vet

If it is an RI the quicker you get him on the proper course of treatment the better his chances of recovery. So it's ideal to get him to the vets ASAP. If you wait until you pay everything else, he'll be quite weak from not eating and his chances of surviving drop quite a bit.

What does "fine water conditions and temps" mean? What exactly are they?

Yes, thank you all for the help. I am going to try my hardest to schedule a vet appointment.
@ Marisa: They are the correct temperatures given on this site for a turtle. And clear, correct PH water.

Good luck and keep us updated!

Kay well I didn't have the money for a vet visit and my parents wouldn't bail me out, so I had to take care of Grimsly myself..
I researched like a mad lady and raised his temperature, put in some crickets, and made sure his basking area was dry. Every hour or so I would get a small cup and run his water over him so he didn't dry out. It's been 4 days, and he has shown TONS of improvement. He is eating now, swimming, doesn't yawn anymore, and his swimming is back to normal.
There are a few occassional bubbles coming out of his nose but they are very small and it's very rare. He seems to be back to normal, though I am not sure if I am out of the storm yet. I know just because he is looking better doesn't mean he is alright. But he did eat a fish and a cricket today, and he didn't spit any out. So far all good signs.
I took someone on here's advice about calling vets and asking for payment plans, I practically plead with all of them but they said they couldn't do that. Which I mean really sucks because my parents don't think my turtle is important enough to pay like 200 dollars.. Oh well, at least he is getting better right?

Good to hear hes doing good

Its nice to see that you tried to get him to the vet

Glad to hear he's improving (it sounds like the temps weren't all they should have been).

No, the temperatures were and are fine. I put them to 81 while he is sick and 76-78 while he was not.