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Posted 11/21/2008 7:42 AM (GMT -6)
My best friend is 28 years old and he suffers severe pain every day due to an accident about 7 years ago. His spine is being held together by a metal rod and he has injuries above and below it that no one bothered addressing. HE HAS NO PAIN MEDICATION. He can't afford it. He can't afford Dr.'s or testing that he needs. He has no medical insurance, no job (because he can't work,even though he's tried), no money, he can't get medicaid, and he's losing hope. We're are just about out of options that we know of and everyone we know has run out of suggestions. I don't know if disability is an option or not, he's going to look into it but it's not looking good. Someone please tell me How you keep someone who knows they're going to be in severe, unbarable pain for the rest of their life from taking their life????? I'm scared, I'm desperate, and I'm feeling completely helpless. If anyone has any suggestions or any advice, PLEASE HELP!!!
Posted 11/21/2008 9:08 AM (GMT -6)
There are options available for him to obtain his pain medication.
  • Partnership for Prescription Assistance
    www.pparx.org
  • RxAssist: Accessing Pharmaceutical Patient Assistance Programs
    www.rxassist.org
  • RxHope: The Heart of the Pharmaceutical Industry
    www.rxhope.com
  • http://www.statedrugcard.com/
  • www.drugassistant.com
  • http://www.freemedicineprogram.org/

    • I can find more if you need more too.

    Also, if you fear that he is in danger of commiting suicide, then please call 911 or your county's mental health unit and have them see him. If he is suicidal, treatment is the best option for him and they can also help him obtain services he might need to help him secure medical insurance, help with getting his prescriptions paid for , and other available services in his area.

    http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

    I would have him report to the nearest Social Security office and apply for either SSD ( Social Security Disability) or SSI ( Supplemental Security Income) which is for people who don't have enough work hour credits to allow them to obtain SSD. SSI can also be gotten to help during the time that he will be waiting to obtain approval for his Disability claim.

    Sandi

    PLIF/TLIF Fusion w/Instrumentation L4-5 Spondololysthesis L4-5.Laminectomies L4-5, foraminal stenosis L3-4, L4-5, L5-S1, herniations L3-4, L4-5, L5-S1, central canal stenosis L3-4, L4-5 and L5-S1
    POST OP CES 3/30-06
    Neurogenic Bladder and Bowel, bilateral numbness legs and feet
    Revision for failed Back surgery, pseudoarthrosis L4-5, hemilaminectomies L3-4, L4-5, L5-S1, bmp added to revision fusion, replaced two bent screws that were reversing out of vertebrae - August 2, 2007
    On going back pain and neuropathic pain, failed back surgery, consult for scs, decided not to do that at this point.
    Adhesive Arachnoiditis also......just what I didn't need..9/08- adding bilateral ulnar neuropathy with severe compression to the mix. They want me to see a surgeon for ulnar nerve surgery, but I'm not biting.
    I've seen enough surgeons over the last few years.

    Posted 11/21/2008 10:20 AM (GMT -6)
    Have him apply for both SSD and SSI you can do this. Susie

    Posted 11/21/2008 11:07 AM (GMT -6)

    Thank you for this information, but won't he need to be seen by a medical doctor to get medication? He's also looked into SS and they can't help him. I don't think he's suicidal at this point but he's losing hope.

    Thank you again

    mrsm123 said...
    There are options available for him to obtain his pain medication.
  • Partnership for Prescription Assistance
    www.pparx.org
  • RxAssist: Accessing Pharmaceutical Patient Assistance Programs
    www.rxassist.org
  • RxHope: The Heart of the Pharmaceutical Industry
    www.rxhope.com
  • http://www.statedrugcard.com/
  • www.drugassistant.com
  • http://www.freemedicineprogram.org/

    • I can find more if you need more too.

    Also, if you fear that he is in danger of commiting suicide, then please call 911 or your county's mental health unit and have them see him. If he is suicidal, treatment is the best option for him and they can also help him obtain services he might need to help him secure medical insurance, help with getting his prescriptions paid for , and other available services in his area.

    http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

    I would have him report to the nearest Social Security office and apply for either SSD ( Social Security Disability) or SSI ( Supplemental Security Income) which is for people who don't have enough work hour credits to allow them to obtain SSD. SSI can also be gotten to help during the time that he will be waiting to obtain approval for his Disability claim.

    Sandi

    Posted 11/21/2008 11:52 AM (GMT -6)
    He looked into SS? Is that Disability or Supplemental? They are two different programs. If he has no money, and no income, they should help him, even if just temporarily. Has he checked into Social Services in his area? They can help him get medicaid and then he can see a doctor. The answer to your question about his getting medications is yes, he will need to see a doctor. Do you have a family clinic or a reduced fee medical clinic in your hospital or community? If you do, he may be able to be seen there to get some medication and they can help him fill out the paperwork for the free medications programs.
    Best of luck to you,
    Sandi
    PLIF/TLIF Fusion w/Instrumentation L4-5 Spondololysthesis L4-5.Laminectomies L4-5, foraminal stenosis L3-4, L4-5, L5-S1, herniations L3-4, L4-5, L5-S1, central canal stenosis L3-4, L4-5 and L5-S1
    POST OP CES 3/30-06
    Neurogenic Bladder and Bowel, bilateral numbness legs and feet
    Revision for failed Back surgery, pseudoarthrosis L4-5, hemilaminectomies L3-4, L4-5, L5-S1, bmp added to revision fusion, replaced two bent screws that were reversing out of vertebrae - August 2, 2007
    On going back pain and neuropathic pain, failed back surgery, consult for scs, decided not to do that at this point.
    Adhesive Arachnoiditis also......just what I didn't need..9/08- adding bilateral ulnar neuropathy with severe compression to the mix. They want me to see a surgeon for ulnar nerve surgery, but I'm not biting.
    I've seen enough surgeons over the last few years.

    Posted 11/21/2008 12:30 PM (GMT -6)
    Hi and welcome to our forum family! You are a wonderful friend to be searching for help and to care so deeply. mrsm123 has given you wonderful resources...several I haven't heard of either... so please give any and all of them a try. Also call the Red Cross in your local area. They help in any kind of emergency. They can link your friend up with insurance even. The other resources I have are the links below. Please keep in touch and let us know how your friend is doing..and also how you're holding up. Being a 'caregiver' is an emotionally draining and monumental job.

    Hugs,
    Chutzie

    http://needymeds.com/
    http://www.themedicineprogram.com/
    Co-Mod Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Forums
    ~~~
    Fibromyalgia, Ulcerative Colitis, Insulin dependent diabetic, collapsed disk, dermatitis herpetiformus, osteo arthritis in spine and other locations.
    ***************

    The only difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has it's limits. Albert Einstein: (1879-1955)

    Posted 11/21/2008 2:08 PM (GMT -6)
    Mjk,
    You've been given a lot of excellent information and resources. Please don't try to take this on all by yourself. If necessary, take your friend to an ER, especially if he is threatening to harm himself. You might see if there is a county mental health services crisis phone number in your area and YOU call them and talk with them about local services. You can also use
    1-800-SUICIDE
    And I'd suggest you calling that number if you're at all concerned about your friend hurting himself, if you don't have good 911 response services in your area. It is possible your friend may fall through the cracks regarding Medicaid if he's single, and his state's policies are restrictive. However, with medical support he should be able to qualify for Medicare if he's declared disabled. The surgery you describe certainly sounds severe enough to be disabling. But these programs are tough to deal with. Try any and all of the resources people have suggested until you find someone helpful. But DON"T take on suicidal threats or behavior by yourself.

    Take care,
    PaLady
    Posted 11/21/2008 2:57 PM (GMT -6)
    I typed a post real fast and then read and PaLady said almost the exact same
    thing that I said, mjk.
    Take care.
    Pamela
    Posted 11/21/2008 3:08 PM (GMT -6)
    I hope you will stay on this forum as you are getting your problems
    straighted out. I have had so much emotional support. In
    my case, I am the one who has the pain. But I know the friend, the support
    person, and/or the caregiver has issues that need to be addressed. I don't know
    where you'd find a forum of this sort but maybe we'll do.
    Pamela
    Posted 11/21/2008 7:48 PM (GMT -6)
    mjk,
    The Red Cross is a great idea.

    Another option you might have for medical care is to check into any Catholic hospitals or medical facilities in the area. A lot of them have a St. Vincent de Paul fund for charitable care. Often the hospital will write off part of the cost of care & the SVP can pick up the rest of it.
    If you don't live within driving distance of a Catholic hospital, call your local hospital & ask if you can speak with a patient advocate. They can maybe direct you to local resources where there is free/reduced cost care and/or financial assistance resources. It really depends on your community, but a lot of times funds can be found through Red Cross, Salvation Army or various religious institutions (churches or temples are often willing to extend some assistance in exchange for listening to a plug for their organization or religion. if your friend is open to listening to someone share their beliefs, it might be a good source of emergency funds).

    Another possible option would be to look into whether there are any clinical trials in your area. I know I just saw a commercial on tv for a trial medication in my area for anyone who has low back pain for any reason. I imagine your friend would have to get the depression under control before becoming a candidate for any trial, but it might be an option. You can call 1-800-273-TALK to get referrals for free/reduced cost mental health care in your area. Counselors could help your friend find free/cheap healthcare, but if you can get a referral for a psychiatrist that may be the best route to go. I know sometimes psychiatrists are willing to help out with pain meds for a short while & but even if the psych won't write for prescription pain relievers, there is lot of research that shows anti-depressants, anti-anxiety meds & sleeping pills, all of which are routinely prescribed by psychiatrists, can significantly improve pain.

    There are still a lot of samples going to doctors' offices for all kinds of medications so getting in to see a doctor could help address multiple issues in a fairly short period of time. Once things start to turn around, more options will open up.

    Just try to hang in there. Your friend is really blessed to have you supporting him. Remember that each day is a new day & a new chance for things to change. A good friend of mine told me that when I was having a really, really rough time & it has stuck with me. I will be praying for you & your friend to find some help soon & for things to start turning around.

    GB,
    frances
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