If you are like me and suffer from arthritis, you also suffer from pain. With some forms of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, the pain comes and goes. For others, such as osteoarthritis, the pain is constant and long-lived. To seek relief you may need to turn to over-the-counter pain pills.

I’ve been diagnosed with arthritis and fibromyalgia since 1998. I have built up a high pain threshold. There are days though that the pain REALLY gets to me. I’ve learned ways to cope but some days it just takes some extra help with arthritis relief.

When shopping for over-the-counter pain relief pills, you will find a wide range of choices. It’s almost overwhelming. They all promise relief in one form or fashion. So, which brand should you buy? Where should you shop? How much should you expect to pay?

Do you have a favorite brand of pain reliever? Some individuals swear by Tylenol and others claim it does not even relieve simple pains, like a headache. We have all used pain relievers at one point in time. Think back to that time and the brand you used. Did you feel relief? If so, return to that brand. You know it works.

You should also consider your arthritis pain when shopping for pain reliever. Do you want extended relief? Did you know that Tylenol has a specific arthritis formula that results in both fast and long-term relief? They do. Aleve uses the same formula for most medications, but there is special packaging available for arthritis patients. It has an easier to open cap for us with arthritis pain in hands. That can be a life saver. Choose a pain reliever that works and is easy to use.

What should you do if a pain reliever does not work? First, review the bottle to ensure you are properly taking the medication. Over-the-counter pain relievers have different formulas and dosages. For example, you may need to take two Tylenol capsules every four to six hours, but only two Aleve pills a day. If you are taking the medication as directed and still feel pain, consider switching brands. Do not up your dosage unless given direct orders by a medical professional.

In terms of shopping, pain relievers are readily available at a wide range of retail stores. In addition to shopping online, they are found in most grocery stores, drug stores, health stores, and department stores. Most people who are in pain do not want to run all over town to several different stores, or at least I don’t. For most, it is best to opt for convenience. For example, if you are already shopping in Wal-Mart, stop by their health and beauty section and pickup a package of pain relievers. Most stores are going to have your over the counter pain medication, even if it’s in their generic or store brand form.

In terms of costs, consider a number of factors. One of those factors is brand. Well-known brands, such as Aleve, Advil, and Tylenol, cost more. Cheaper alternatives are store brand products. They typically bear the name of the store you are shopping at. For example, both Walgreen’s and Rite-Aid have their own pain relievers. These store brands are cheaper. You may be worried about quality, but pickup the packages and compare. I always check to make sure the products have the same ingredients. I rarely buy a name brand if a generic is available. Something I do buy that is name brand is BioFreeze. It is a great arthritis pain relief cream. In most cases, you are just paying extra for a well-known name.

Another factor to consider when estimating cost is where you shop. As previously stated, pain relievers are readily available at many retail stores. Supermarkets are usually the most expensive. Shoppers are there to buy groceries, pain relievers may just be an extra purchase that the store can profit from. Drug stores have lower prices, but many still find them costly. Your best option is to shop at a discount retailer, such as Wal-Mart, Kmart, Family Dollar, and Dollar General.

The over-consumption of pain pills is advised against. You should only take them when in pain, not to prevent it. Even still, you may find yourself using over-the-counter pain relievers to seek relief from your arthritis pain and discomfort daily. This can also up the costs. Look for money saving coupons. Occasionally, Excedrin, Aleve, Advil, Bayer, and Tylenol all have printable coupons online or clipable coupons in the Sunday newspaper.

Always check with your medical professional with all medication, even over the counter medication. You don’t want to do something to your body that is ill advised. Some medications just work against each other and some really just work against your body instead of helping. Please check with your DR.