As I mentioned earlier - one of the problems with having a disease is being able to purchase the medication needed to keep my disease under control. Because I am trying to get on medication that is IV admininstered - the cost of the medication is much more then anyone can afford(about $40,000 a year). Since I don't work and only receive my SSD payments and that I am on Medicare - it is difficult to afford such medication.

A few months ago - I was recommended in applying for Drug Assistance through foundation's. I thought I would pass along some information I received.

Recently I applied with Healthwell Foundation for drug assistance. They approved me for a grant for me to use towards my medication. This will help offset the costs that Medicare does not cover. If you are in a situation where you have partial insurance like Medicare and need financial assistance for medications for the 20% Medicare does not cover - try Healthwell Foundation. - You can find their website at - http://www.healthwellfoundation.org I found their representatives to be quite friendly and helpful in applying. They were able to help me - maybe they can help you too.

I thought I would start a module stating some of the items that I have purchased and found very useful in my day to day living with Rheumatoid Arthritis. I know when you are first diagnosed or when the RA starts to get more aggressive, it gets harder to work and function on a daily basis. And since this disease normally hits people(like myself) who either does not have a lot of money or ends up losing their income to small disability payments - well you have to find things on your own or get creative. So, I figure why not pass on what I have learned so far. Maybe it can help others. Now - I am not endorsing any products listed here. You are an adult and can make your own decisions. These are meerly suggestions and should be taken as such. I am NOT a doctor or nurse(or in the medical field for that matter). I am just someone who has this disease and has been diagnosed for about 6 years now.

Now, I have found that I can't sleep on inner spring mattresses anymore. And so because of this, I did much research to find a mattress I could use and that was most cost effective for me. I tried and found many different types and brands of mattresses. I found, for myself, that the foam mattress works best for me. I found that this type of mattress did not put too much more stress on my joints and muscles. I tried the air mattress - the water mattress(geez couldn't get out of bed without help - really wonderful when you have to use the restroom in the middle of the night!).

I couldn't get comfortable with the air mattress and found I had to adjust it all the time because my joints and pain level changes so often. So, I decided this wasn't the mattress for me.

Then as I said above, I tried the water mattress. I have no idea why I tried this, but I did. I couldn't get out of bed without help. Not an option.

I thought, ok, I will try the foam mattress. I research many different kinds. I went to a high end furniture store to test the popular one that is advertised on TV(you know). I don't want to mention the name, because I don't want to get into trouble. But, it is the one everyone raves about. I found that it was too firm - not really giving. And there was a chemical smell. I have a sensitive nose and a sensitive husband who has allergies and asthma.

So, I then tested some the cheaper types. Ok - they actually crumble. And the quality isn't that good.

Then I found IKEA. If you haven't heard of them, they are a Swedish based store that offers many different kinds of funiture and accessories for the home. My husband and I went to the store a couple of times to test out their mattresses. The nice thing about their store is that if you go during the week while everyone is still at work, you can actually test the mattresses(lay on them) as long as you want. After a period of time, I decided to purchase one of their foam mattresses. Their mattresses come with a zipped up cover(that is actually not to bad to wipe off in case of a spill). I also purchased a bed and bed frame from them. They have a bed frame/slatted bed base(insert that you can place into the bed itself) that is adjustable. It is almost like the hospital type bed where you can lift your head! I got the adjustable slatted bed base and it was only $120! The whole bed - mattress, sheets, bed frame and slatted bed base came to about $800! Which is much cheaper then the other brand I can't mention. And I love it. I can adjust the head to lift my head at night. Which is perfect, because the prednisone gives me heartburn. And they always say to elevate your head/chest when sleeping to help with heartburn. And the bed base is fexible and adjustable in tension. So you can make the bed as soft or firm as you want. It is not like being on coils and it is not a flat base. And since using the foam mattress I do not have back pain during the night anymore. I do from time to time have shoulder pain. But, this is because I sleep on my side. Which I am trying to break because my shoulders are messed up. But when I sleep on my back, I don't wake up for hours. Not like before where I was waking up every hour to toss and turn. They offer a 20year warranty on their mattresses. And they do have a return policy - they don't give money back(unless the mattress has not been taken out of the plastic - it comes rolled up in a plastic bag - actually lighter in weight then I thought - I could lift it) - but you can return it in 30 days to get a credit. Check the store though to make sure before buying.

So, if you are thinking you hate your mattress and want to actually sleep at night - consider tossing the inner spring coil mattress. Stop sleeping on metal springs! Do some research and go to the stores to test out different types of mattresses. Everyone is different in their disease and sleeping patterns. If you are considering the foam mattress route and do not have a lot of money to spend - check out the ikea.com website and/or store. You never know you might like it.

Good luck!

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