Hubby may be "let go" from his job of 20+ years...

[cluckcluck42]

Oh dear, that is so cruddy.

I wish there was something I could say to make it better, but unfortunately times are tough/horrible/heartbreaking.

Your family will stay strong if you band together.

I wish you guys the best. Have you thought of trying natural alternatives for his arthritis? 1000 is WOW steep for meds, that is just disgusting how much they charge for medicine. It would make you sick to know how much it costs the company to make.

Might be worth reading if you really cant afford meds in the future:

Inflammation of psoriatic arthritis is involved with arachidonic acid pathways. A healthful diet plus essential fatty acids help reduce and prevent further inflammation. Evening primrose, borage, and fish oils, tumeric, curcumin, bromelain, and quercetin all work on these pathways.

http://www.lovelyhealth.com/psoriasis.htm

 

[AngieChick]

Quote:
These natural remedies do not work with psaoriatic arthritis. It's a very complex autoimmune disorder. If it does go into remission then of course healthy eating and regular exercise will help. But, unfortunately it can't take the place of medical treatment.

To OP: If at all possible, do not go off of his meds if he is not in remission. I am assuming that he is on the biologics at that price? Maybe methotrexate is less expensive, if it's an option for him? It's not as good, I know, but it may be enough to keep it at bay. It might be something to mention to his rheumatologist. If you cannot afford his medications, there are pharmaceutical companies who may well provide it for him. You may want to research it a bit. Also, his doctor and rheumatologist probably get samples from the pharmaceutical companies. My cousin's husband has a lovely doctor supplying him with insulin throughout his unemployment. It has literally saved his life.

I am so sorry you are facing this, I know what a worry it is.

 

[Mahonri]

When I hear the state run media say that the recession is ending, I through something at the TV and yell, You LIARS!

 

[Organics North]

Hang in there!
You by no means are alone. Be smart, live cheap sell off what you do not "need". Do it right, you will find life much richer with out the money. Hopefully, you have a 401K, and a little nest egg to make the "fall" a little softer. You will have COBRA for a year and then if you truely are low income most states have a pretty good program at least for the kids.

We have been on the road you are starting to travel for many years.

The insuracne issure is HUGE.. I know I am self employed, and have medical conditions. Buy insurance ya right. IMO our heathcare system is broken big time. Please tell me what on earth does having an employer have to do with having health insurance!!!

Sorry I get frustrated with those that think nothing is wrong with health care coverage in the USA.. (They should try being a self employeed builder or a farmer once!)

ON

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

You are entitled to Cobra coverage, although you will have to pay the premiums. Since your husband and child have pre-existing medical conditions, even if you were hired at a job with fantastic health insurance, their conditions would likely NOT be covered. Perhaps for a period of time; perhaps forever. Do check to see if your county or state offer low cost medicines; speak to the doctor about less expensive alternative meds; contact the pharmaceudical companies and ask for help. If your husband is a veteran, he may be able to get less expensive meds from the VA. Some prescription plans offer less expensive options: a three-month supply for the cost of one or two months. Some (not all) meds can be prescribed at a higher dose and then split (for example, if the current strength is 50mg, instead the doctor would prescribe a strength of 100mg, then you take 1/2 the dose--therefore a one-month supply lasts for two months, but has the co-pay for one month).

I'm a bit concerned about the life insurance you mentioned--are you talking about whole life or term life? Whole life is a rip-off; talk to a financial adviser (call Dave Ramsey, perhaps). You may be able to pull some of the money you've invested out and replace with term life.

If your husband is truly being let go due to age, it is illegal. Not easy to prove, but not impossible, either, as he would likely NOT be hte only one to whom this was done. He does need to start looking for a new job now rather than wait until the axe falls--once he has offers he has leverage with his current employer as well as a means into a better position.

Good luck!

 

[cmjust0]

Quote:
These natural remedies do not work with psaoriatic arthritis. It's a very complex autoimmune disorder. If it does go into remission then of course healthy eating and regular exercise will help. But, unfortunately it can't take the place of medical treatment.

To OP: If at all possible, do not go off of his meds if he is not in remission. I am assuming that he is on the biologics at that price? Maybe methotrexate is less expensive, if it's an option for him? It's not as good, I know, but it may be enough to keep it at bay. It might be something to mention to his rheumatologist. If you cannot afford his medications, there are pharmaceutical companies who may well provide it for him. You may want to research it a bit. Also, his doctor and rheumatologist probably get samples from the pharmaceutical companies. My cousin's husband has a lovely doctor supplying him with insulin throughout his unemployment. It has literally saved his life.

I am so sorry you are facing this, I know what a worry it is.

Just a note to the OP on psoriatic arthritis.. Yep, it's autoimmune. Something that, IMO, is widely overlooked in the arena of autoimmune diseases is the person's 25-hydroxyvitamin-d levels. That's D3, the 'sunshine' vitamin. Thing is, it's not actually a vitamin at all, but a very potent anti-inflammatory and immunregulatory prohormone. While everything's still OK with insurance and whatnot, consider having his levels checked.

The books say anything over 20ng/ml is OK, but emerging research is showing this to be WAY low. I'm not a doc, but based on what I've read, I'd call anything under 50ng/ml a deficiency.

If he's low, bringing the levels back up probably won't heal the damage that's been done...but it may help stem the inflammation, as well as curbing the immune process that's attacking the joint tissue in the first place.

Just a thought. Take it for what it cost ya.