i was wondering if you could all give me some advice with out insurance its hard finding the right doctors and meds i dont think the ones i have seen have dealt with this…So could you all kinda give me a list first of pain meds that have worked to ease the pain i need pain meds that will touch this till i find the right med. or prcedure So if u could please take a minute and tell me the best thing that has worked for u so i have somekind of knowledge and not walking in there blank and coming home with out relief after three hundred dollars again???I would so appreciate everyones time thank u all…
Hi Holly! I know its very frustrating but to be honest Every person is so different. It all just depends on you. Sometimes people have to try several different meds before they get relief. I know. I am in the same boat as you. We tried to start off conservatively with a few round of prednisone to try to calm the nerve and putting me on a ssri because some of them seem to help prevent attacks from coming on. That hasnt worked so now I am using a muscle relaxer and the ssri. The muscle relaxer helps the attack not be as bad as they were before but doesnt prevent them from coming. I had posted before about my fear of taking anti-convulsants as I am already exhausted all the time. So my experiences are small in comparison to other peoples. But I have only been diagnosed for about a month now. So we are still changing this up. Good luck though! I pray for the best for you sweety!
HI Holly
I have been taking Tegretol for 3 years and this has helped definately to a point. In terms of pain relief I have tried Solpadol Neurofen( I am sure your meds will have diff names) Also doc has given me anti inflammotories. ALL OF THESE bar none have not worked for pain. I rely soley on the anti convulsant(Tegretol) She has siven me prescriprions of others but I do not wanna keep taking stuff that I know wll not work and are just making me high. I guess trial and error with things but I really hope you find some relief!!
Karen
my pain is constant and never lets up it is to the point of no break inbetween my poor kids need a mom instead of watching me suffer in pain i cant stand watching them try to care for themself and all those meds for this tegratol and the rest make me so drugged and did not get to the point i could take enough to help the pain i could not even drive my kids so i was still in severe pain and drugged out of my mind.My nine year old was in the kitchen trying to cook for himself do u know how that broke my heart…
Deserae Tyau said:
Hi Holly! I know its very frustrating but to be honest Every person is so different. It all just depends on you. Sometimes people have to try several different meds before they get relief. I know. I am in the same boat as you. We tried to start off conservatively with a few round of prednisone to try to calm the nerve and putting me on a ssri because some of them seem to help prevent attacks from coming on. That hasnt worked so now I am using a muscle relaxer and the ssri. The muscle relaxer helps the attack not be as bad as they were before but doesnt prevent them from coming. I had posted before about my fear of taking anti-convulsants as I am already exhausted all the time. So my experiences are small in comparison to other peoples. But I have only been diagnosed for about a month now. So we are still changing this up. Good luck though! I pray for the best for you sweety!
the meds like tegretol make me so messed up i cant even walk i just feel messed up so i guess i react that way to them never felt so high or drugged up as i did on them could not even walk straight
Karen Russell said:
HI Holly
I have been taking Tegretol for 3 years and this has helped definately to a point. In terms of pain relief I have tried Solpadol Neurofen( I am sure your meds will have diff names) Also doc has given me anti inflammotories. ALL OF THESE bar none have not worked for pain. I rely soley on the anti convulsant(Tegretol) She has siven me prescriprions of others but I do not wanna keep taking stuff that I know wll not work and are just making me high. I guess trial and error with things but I really hope you find some relief!!
Karen
Holly, I would recommend going on the medical board website of your state. I look up doctors before I see them. Of course mine had no strikes against him, but that did not help me. If there is a yelp.com, or a google rating system in your area for doctors that might help.
some people have good experience with neurontin. also, for constant pain, some people fare better with tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil or Nortriptyline.
if you don’t have insurance, you can contact these drug companies directly; they usually help pay for part, if not all of the costs for people who are financially in need. you may need a note from your doctor.
the researcher
yeah right! if drug companies gave away drugs how would they make any money? i’d like to see some proof of that.
the researcher said:
some people have good experience with neurontin. also, for constant pain, some people fare better with tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil or Nortriptyline.
if you don’t have insurance, you can contact these drug companies directly; they usually help pay for part, if not all of the costs for people who are financially in need. you may need a note from your doctor.
the researcher
a person must demonstrate financial need with appropriate documentation. these are things drug companies aren’t advertising in the light of day, but they can and do assist people with their drug costs.
drug companies will always make money. : )
the researcher
Susan said:
yeah right! if drug companies gave away drugs how would they make any money? i’d like to see some proof of that.
the researcher said:some people have good experience with neurontin. also, for constant pain, some people fare better with tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil or Nortriptyline.
if you don’t have insurance, you can contact these drug companies directly; they usually help pay for part, if not all of the costs for people who are financially in need. you may need a note from your doctor.
the researcher
As someone in financial difficulty myself i take huge offence to someone giving such false hope that drug companies “usually help pay for part, if not all of the costs for people who are financially in need” even if you were to get on a free drug trial these wouldn’t necessarily be the drugs you NEED. Do you have examples? Drug company names?
the researcher said:
a person must demonstrate financial need with appropriate documentation. these are things drug companies aren’t advertising in the light of day, but they can and do assist people with their drug costs.
drug companies will always make money. : )
the researcher
Susan said:yeah right! if drug companies gave away drugs how would they make any money? i’d like to see some proof of that.
the researcher said:some people have good experience with neurontin. also, for constant pain, some people fare better with tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil or Nortriptyline.
if you don’t have insurance, you can contact these drug companies directly; they usually help pay for part, if not all of the costs for people who are financially in need. you may need a note from your doctor.
the researcher
Susan and all,
More than half of America’s states have pharmaceutical assistance programs. You can check out the National Conference of State Legislatures to see if your state has a program at
www.ncsl.org/programs/health/drugaid.htm. There are basic guidelines to apply so you need to check to see if you qualify.
Almost ALL drug companies have little known patient assistance programs which give discounted or free medication to needy patients. Aid is generally available only to the uninsured, people who don’t qualify for government assistance and who have limited incomes. As I mentioned before, patients must demonstrate they are in financial need. Every company’s program is different and income levels may vary.
Paperwork has to be submitted by your doctor, and if approved, I believe you can receive up to 5 or 6 months worth of meds before you have to resubmit to prove you still need the medication. It requires effort on your part to apply and follow the protocol. Some drug companies give you a card to present to the pharmacy, others send the meds straight to the doctor.
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) is a company which has a website where you can go to see if you qualify for free or discounted drugs. It also lets you access details and contact information for 48 drugs companies that offer assistance programs. The site is www.helpingpatients.org or you can call them at 202-835-3400.
The Cost Containment Research Institute in Washington, DC also offers a booklet on more than 100 assistance programs. You can download it for $4.95 online at www.institute-dc.org.
I hope this information is useful for you and others.
the researcher
Susan said:
As someone in financial difficulty myself i take huge offence to someone giving such false hope that drug companies “usually help pay for part, if not all of the costs for people who are financially in need” even if you were to get on a free drug trial these wouldn’t necessarily be the drugs you NEED. Do you have examples? Drug company names?
the researcher said:a person must demonstrate financial need with appropriate documentation. these are things drug companies aren’t advertising in the light of day, but they can and do assist people with their drug costs.
drug companies will always make money. : )
the researcher
Susan said:yeah right! if drug companies gave away drugs how would they make any money? i’d like to see some proof of that.
the researcher said:some people have good experience with neurontin. also, for constant pain, some people fare better with tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil or Nortriptyline.
if you don’t have insurance, you can contact these drug companies directly; they usually help pay for part, if not all of the costs for people who are financially in need. you may need a note from your doctor.
the researcher
thats great and very useful information - i hope that people in need use this.
however the PPA is a very different organisation from your implied ‘drug companies handing out free drugs’.
the researcher said:
Susan and all,
More than half of America’s states have pharmaceutical assistance programs. You can check out the National Conference of State Legislatures to see if your state has a program at
www.ncsl.org/programs/health/drugaid.htm. There are basic guidelines to apply so you need to check to see if you qualify.
Almost ALL drug companies have little known patient assistance programs which give discounted or free medication to needy patients. Aid is generally available only to the uninsured, people who don’t qualify for government assistance and who have limited incomes. As I mentioned before, patients must demonstrate they are in financial need. Every company’s program is different and income levels may vary.
Paperwork has to be submitted by your doctor, and if approved, I believe you can receive up to 5 or 6 months worth of meds before you have to resubmit to prove you still need the medication. It requires effort on your part to apply and follow the protocol. Some drug companies give you a card to present to the pharmacy, others send the meds straight to the doctor.
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) is a company which has a website where you can go to see if you qualify for free or discounted drugs. It also lets you access details and contact information for 48 drugs companies that offer assistance programs. The site is www.helpingpatients.org or you can call them at 202-835-3400.
The Cost Containment Research Institute in Washington, DC also offers a booklet on more than 100 assistance programs. You can download it for $4.95 online at www.institute-dc.org.
I hope this information is useful for you and others.
the researcher
Susan said:As someone in financial difficulty myself i take huge offence to someone giving such false hope that drug companies “usually help pay for part, if not all of the costs for people who are financially in need” even if you were to get on a free drug trial these wouldn’t necessarily be the drugs you NEED. Do you have examples? Drug company names?
the researcher said:a person must demonstrate financial need with appropriate documentation. these are things drug companies aren’t advertising in the light of day, but they can and do assist people with their drug costs.
drug companies will always make money. : )
the researcher
Susan said:yeah right! if drug companies gave away drugs how would they make any money? i’d like to see some proof of that.
the researcher said:some people have good experience with neurontin. also, for constant pain, some people fare better with tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil or Nortriptyline.
if you don’t have insurance, you can contact these drug companies directly; they usually help pay for part, if not all of the costs for people who are financially in need. you may need a note from your doctor.
the researcher
i never said drug companies are handing out free drugs. i said drug companies have patient assistance programs to help with the cost of medication, sometimes in full, if a person qualifies. the websites i gave are to simply things as a starting point; people are welcome to call any drug company directly, and ask for their patient assistance program information.
the researcher
Susan said:
thats great and very useful information - i hope that people in need use this.
however the PPA is a very different organisation from your implied ‘drug companies handing out free drugs’.
the researcher said:Susan and all,
More than half of America’s states have pharmaceutical assistance programs. You can check out the National Conference of State Legislatures to see if your state has a program at
www.ncsl.org/programs/health/drugaid.htm. There are basic guidelines to apply so you need to check to see if you qualify.
Almost ALL drug companies have little known patient assistance programs which give discounted or free medication to needy patients. Aid is generally available only to the uninsured, people who don’t qualify for government assistance and who have limited incomes. As I mentioned before, patients must demonstrate they are in financial need. Every company’s program is different and income levels may vary.
Paperwork has to be submitted by your doctor, and if approved, I believe you can receive up to 5 or 6 months worth of meds before you have to resubmit to prove you still need the medication. It requires effort on your part to apply and follow the protocol. Some drug companies give you a card to present to the pharmacy, others send the meds straight to the doctor.
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) is a company which has a website where you can go to see if you qualify for free or discounted drugs. It also lets you access details and contact information for 48 drugs companies that offer assistance programs. The site is www.helpingpatients.org or you can call them at 202-835-3400.
The Cost Containment Research Institute in Washington, DC also offers a booklet on more than 100 assistance programs. You can download it for $4.95 online at www.institute-dc.org.
I hope this information is useful for you and others.
the researcher
Susan said:As someone in financial difficulty myself i take huge offence to someone giving such false hope that drug companies “usually help pay for part, if not all of the costs for people who are financially in need” even if you were to get on a free drug trial these wouldn’t necessarily be the drugs you NEED. Do you have examples? Drug company names?
the researcher said:a person must demonstrate financial need with appropriate documentation. these are things drug companies aren’t advertising in the light of day, but they can and do assist people with their drug costs.
drug companies will always make money. : )
the researcher
Susan said:yeah right! if drug companies gave away drugs how would they make any money? i’d like to see some proof of that.
the researcher said:some people have good experience with neurontin. also, for constant pain, some people fare better with tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil or Nortriptyline.
if you don’t have insurance, you can contact these drug companies directly; they usually help pay for part, if not all of the costs for people who are financially in need. you may need a note from your doctor.
the researcher
You may want to review your very first response? …“if you don’t have insurance, you can contact these drug companies directly; they usually help pay for part, if not all of the costs for people who are financially in need. you may need a note from your doctor”
it’s fine if you were mistaken, everyone makes mistakes.
the researcher said:
i never said drug companies are handing out free drugs. i said drug companies have patient assistance programs to help with the cost of medication, sometimes in full, if a person qualifies. the websites i gave are to simply things as a starting point; people are welcome to call any drug company directly, and ask for their patient assistance program information.
the researcher
Susan said:thats great and very useful information - i hope that people in need use this.
however the PPA is a very different organisation from your implied ‘drug companies handing out free drugs’.
the researcher said:Susan and all,
More than half of America’s states have pharmaceutical assistance programs. You can check out the National Conference of State Legislatures to see if your state has a program at
www.ncsl.org/programs/health/drugaid.htm. There are basic guidelines to apply so you need to check to see if you qualify.
Almost ALL drug companies have little known patient assistance programs which give discounted or free medication to needy patients. Aid is generally available only to the uninsured, people who don’t qualify for government assistance and who have limited incomes. As I mentioned before, patients must demonstrate they are in financial need. Every company’s program is different and income levels may vary.
Paperwork has to be submitted by your doctor, and if approved, I believe you can receive up to 5 or 6 months worth of meds before you have to resubmit to prove you still need the medication. It requires effort on your part to apply and follow the protocol. Some drug companies give you a card to present to the pharmacy, others send the meds straight to the doctor.
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) is a company which has a website where you can go to see if you qualify for free or discounted drugs. It also lets you access details and contact information for 48 drugs companies that offer assistance programs. The site is www.helpingpatients.org or you can call them at 202-835-3400.
The Cost Containment Research Institute in Washington, DC also offers a booklet on more than 100 assistance programs. You can download it for $4.95 online at www.institute-dc.org.
I hope this information is useful for you and others.
the researcher
Susan said:As someone in financial difficulty myself i take huge offence to someone giving such false hope that drug companies “usually help pay for part, if not all of the costs for people who are financially in need” even if you were to get on a free drug trial these wouldn’t necessarily be the drugs you NEED. Do you have examples? Drug company names?
the researcher said:a person must demonstrate financial need with appropriate documentation. these are things drug companies aren’t advertising in the light of day, but they can and do assist people with their drug costs.
drug companies will always make money. : )
the researcher
Susan said:yeah right! if drug companies gave away drugs how would they make any money? i’d like to see some proof of that.
the researcher said:some people have good experience with neurontin. also, for constant pain, some people fare better with tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil or Nortriptyline.
if you don’t have insurance, you can contact these drug companies directly; they usually help pay for part, if not all of the costs for people who are financially in need. you may need a note from your doctor.
the researcher
nothing in my response translates into drug companies handing out free drugs. the companies are clear in their requirements that people must be a) uninsured and b) financially in need. therefore, i who am insured will not be handed free drugs. there is no implication that this is a free for all. patients must qualify.
i need to resume helping people who actually want it.
Susan said:
You may want to review your very first response? …“if you don’t have insurance, you can contact these drug companies directly; they usually help pay for part, if not all of the costs for people who are financially in need. you may need a note from your doctor”
it’s fine if you were mistaken, everyone makes mistakes.
the researcher said:i never said drug companies are handing out free drugs. i said drug companies have patient assistance programs to help with the cost of medication, sometimes in full, if a person qualifies. the websites i gave are to simply things as a starting point; people are welcome to call any drug company directly, and ask for their patient assistance program information.
the researcher
Susan said:thats great and very useful information - i hope that people in need use this.
however the PPA is a very different organisation from your implied ‘drug companies handing out free drugs’.
the researcher said:Susan and all,
More than half of America’s states have pharmaceutical assistance programs. You can check out the National Conference of State Legislatures to see if your state has a program at
www.ncsl.org/programs/health/drugaid.htm. There are basic guidelines to apply so you need to check to see if you qualify.
Almost ALL drug companies have little known patient assistance programs which give discounted or free medication to needy patients. Aid is generally available only to the uninsured, people who don’t qualify for government assistance and who have limited incomes. As I mentioned before, patients must demonstrate they are in financial need. Every company’s program is different and income levels may vary.
Paperwork has to be submitted by your doctor, and if approved, I believe you can receive up to 5 or 6 months worth of meds before you have to resubmit to prove you still need the medication. It requires effort on your part to apply and follow the protocol. Some drug companies give you a card to present to the pharmacy, others send the meds straight to the doctor.
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) is a company which has a website where you can go to see if you qualify for free or discounted drugs. It also lets you access details and contact information for 48 drugs companies that offer assistance programs. The site is www.helpingpatients.org or you can call them at 202-835-3400.
The Cost Containment Research Institute in Washington, DC also offers a booklet on more than 100 assistance programs. You can download it for $4.95 online at www.institute-dc.org.
I hope this information is useful for you and others.
the researcher
Susan said:As someone in financial difficulty myself i take huge offence to someone giving such false hope that drug companies “usually help pay for part, if not all of the costs for people who are financially in need” even if you were to get on a free drug trial these wouldn’t necessarily be the drugs you NEED. Do you have examples? Drug company names?
the researcher said:a person must demonstrate financial need with appropriate documentation. these are things drug companies aren’t advertising in the light of day, but they can and do assist people with their drug costs.
drug companies will always make money. : )
the researcher
Susan said:yeah right! if drug companies gave away drugs how would they make any money? i’d like to see some proof of that.
the researcher said:some people have good experience with neurontin. also, for constant pain, some people fare better with tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil or Nortriptyline.
if you don’t have insurance, you can contact these drug companies directly; they usually help pay for part, if not all of the costs for people who are financially in need. you may need a note from your doctor.
the researcher
Tegretol took the pain away for me…I had terrible pain and within 2 days it was gone. However, side-effects were awful for me. I love and hate tegretol at the same time, if that makes sense.
Holly - sorry to hear how you have been feeling! I am currently on gabapentin 1200 mg (anti-convulsant) and bacfolen and valium (muscle relaxers). I have pain on both sides of my face and can get relief with this. I want to increase my gabapentin soon. The trick is finding out what your body will tolerate and respond to. I tried Topamax and it took the pain away but messed me up big time. Good luck and hope you find some help!
katie,
how much topamax did you try and what were your side effects?
the researcher
Katie said:
Holly - sorry to hear how you have been feeling! I am currently on gabapentin 1200 mg (anti-convulsant) and bacfolen and valium (muscle relaxers). I have pain on both sides of my face and can get relief with this. I want to increase my gabapentin soon. The trick is finding out what your body will tolerate and respond to. I tried Topamax and it took the pain away but messed me up big time. Good luck and hope you find some help!
I only made it to 100 mg topamax with the intention of getting to 200mg. But at 100 mg, I was so shaky, and my memory was absoultely terrible, and people were asking me if I was drunk. I have tried it twice and this has happened to me both times. It helped even more I think than than 1200 gabapentin I am on, but I just couldn’t tolerate it. So at least I don’t have the side effects now. I know that 100 mg is not that large of a dose and most people tolerate that level, but I just couldn’t for some reason.
the researcher said:
katie,
how much topamax did you try and what were your side effects?
the researcher
Katie said:Holly - sorry to hear how you have been feeling! I am currently on gabapentin 1200 mg (anti-convulsant) and bacfolen and valium (muscle relaxers). I have pain on both sides of my face and can get relief with this. I want to increase my gabapentin soon. The trick is finding out what your body will tolerate and respond to. I tried Topamax and it took the pain away but messed me up big time. Good luck and hope you find some help!
I’m so very sorry. Trileptal along with cymbalta and lyrica have helped me. For pain relief I’ve been taking percocet.
Contact the drug companies directly and see what programs are available.