I am fortunate to have good insurance. The co-pays are low so i am able to have the meds i need. Last year I was on a much lower plan. I was given the option to pay out of pocket (crazy expensive) or write to the manufacturer of the medication to see if they can assist. You can ask your MD to put you on something else that is less expensive. I chose to pay for more insurance. You can also look into more Homeopathic type meds that may help. Just a few ideas that I could think of. Good luck.... we all have been through this and can help. Do you have any plans that can buy to get you through the gap period? sometimes they are cheaper than the cost of the meds...

When I went on disability I automatically when on Medicare and then found a Medicare supplement that was really good at covering meds (Kaiser). Then my income was actually so low that I qualified for Medical Financial Assistance so I don't have any co pays. A lot of low income people don't know the big Medical Groups are obligated by Federal Law to provide (I think it's) 3% of their patients this coverage, so frequently you just end up needing to only pay your premium every month. Check out you plan and see if they have this available. Typically it's not advertised.

The best thing I've found for pain is a TENS unit. One can go on Amazon.com (without a doctor's prescription), look at all the different models and order one. The first one, I bought at a state fair. I'd watched the lady all week when there. On the last day, I bravely approached and asked what she had. Being it was from The State Fair, I'm sure that much more was paid. :-) I wore it out after about five years. But it cut the pain down a lot. Enough to where I could get some decent sleep.

Nobody ever mentions where their worst pain is. Mine is in back of neck and shoulders. It's getting more difficult to apply pads. But if you can do this or have help, it's the way to go. You can adjust the power setting for your comfort. Just be sure to use contact gel on area before applying the pad(s).

Yesterday, I got a bottle of lotion with eucalyptus and spearmint at *Bath & Body Works. It is said to be more relaxing to the body. I think more, "the mind." Last night, I put a dab on top of hand and rubbed it into my upper and lower arms, not using my hands. I didn't want to rub my hands in eyes during sleep. Amazingly, I did go to sleep faster and better. Though the pain still lingers.

I recently started taking at least one *Flexacil Ultra each day for joint pain. It's supposed to "lubricate joints" and "help build cartilage."

I hope this helps.

I get mine at express scripts (mail order) through my insurance. All but 1 that I have to get through CVS. It saves me like 95% of what I used to pay and I get three months worth of medicine at a time so I don't have to worry about running out. With my fuzzy brain I don't remember if I've taken all of my pills so I have this big pill organizer that I can set up everything. It's a huge huge help!

This is my problem too. Some months i have to pay up to R3500.00 .this adds up to stress level and depression. We must help each other to stay positive. Good luck.