I believe if I gathered up all the money I've spent on books, on heat wraps, on massage therapy, on over-the-counter remedies, on infra red light wands and what-not, I could pay cash for a Rolls Royce. I expect it's much the same for you, so I'm happy to be able to share my experience with shopping for pain relief on eBay.

I'm a huge eBay fan. It's one of the first places I look when I need…well, just about anything. Every time I mention this, people ask me if shopping on eBay is safe. I can only say that since 2002 I've made hundreds of purchases and only one auction, for a $5 trinket, went bad. The seller accepted my payment and promptly disappeared from eBay. But every other auction, many of them for items costing more than $200, had a happy ending.

I'm careful whom I buy from. I avoid new sellers with no feedback, for instance. And my experience has been that most eBay sellers are people working hard to provide honest and accurate descriptions of their items, pack them well and deliver them quickly. Over all, my experience has been great and I've saved a whopping big amount of money!

So what sort of things do I buy on eBay for chronic pain relief? Here's an example of something I purchased this week. The item is a brand new book with an enclosed CD containing music designed to entrain the brain waves and alter the listener's perception of pain. This is the listing that was on eBay. Notice that the original publisher's price of this book is $17.95 , but the eBay seller has listed it for "buy it now" for $1. And Here's the notice that I bought this  item for a mere $1. My total payout to the seller for the book and postage, which I paid through my PayPal account, was $4.99

I was delighted with the book when it arrived. It was brand new. In fact, it was still sealed in the publisher's plastic wrapper . And both the book and CD contained valuable information.

What sort of things will YOU look for on eBay? For starters, I recommend looking for almost any pain relief item you see advertised on TV. Anytime anything is sold through TV, a large number of items are returned. Many of those returns are still brand new, unwanted only because the buyer realized they couldn't afford the item. Those returns are frequently sold on eBay at greatly discounted prices.

For example, a few years back, when a device for back pain called "The Wave" was being sold on TV for $60 plus shipping, I purchased one on eBay for $15 plus shipping.

To search eBay, I simply type "chronic pain" or "pain relief" into the search bar (without the quote marks) and see what comes up.  I've done that now and input some of the results into this blog post, so you can see some of what's available You can click on any of the links below to visit eBay and look for your own bargains in pain relief.

Mayo Clinic on Chronic Pain by David Swanson, M.D. Mayo Clinic (1999,PB,1'st Ed)

US $2.95 End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 17:52:51 PST Buy It Now for only: US $2.95 Buy it now | Add to watch list

SUBLIMINAL PAIN MANAGEMENT RELIEF-END YOUR CHRONIC CARE TREATMENT CONTROL REMEDY

US $11.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 19:12:40 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

When the Pain is Real!! Fibromyalgia: The Chronic Muscle Pain Syndrome

US $53.18 End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 19:37:26 PST Buy It Now for only: US $53.18 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Conquering Your Childs Chronic Pain: A Pediatrician…

US $23.77 End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 19:48:30 PST Buy It Now for only: US $23.77 Buy it now | Add to watch list

PAIN FREE FOR WOMEN The Revolutionary Program for Ending Chronic Pain (2003)

US $9.59 End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 19:59:18 PST Buy It Now for only: US $9.59 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Group Wellness Programs for Chronic Pain and Disease Management by Carolyn A. M

US $324.23 End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 21:11:50 PST Buy It Now for only: US $324.23 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Management Of Acute And Chronic Neck Pain: An… by…

US $181.56 End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 21:12:12 PST Buy It Now for only: US $181.56 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Fibromyalgia & Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome : A Survival Manual

US $10.00 End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 23:03:37 PST Buy It Now for only: US $10.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Managing Chronic Pain: Strategies for Dealing With

US $1.00 End Date: Wednesday Feb-08-2012 23:47:21 PST Buy It Now for only: US $1.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Psychosocial Interventions for Chronic Pain: In Searc..

US $92.69 End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 5:12:18 PST Buy It Now for only: US $92.69 Buy it now | Add to watch list

NEW Chronic Pain in Later Life: A Selectively Annota...

US $120.60 End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 6:23:47 PST Buy It Now for only: US $120.60 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Chronic Pain Solution: Your Personal Path To Pain…

US $25.93 End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 7:56:34 PST Buy It Now for only: US $25.93 Buy it now | Add to watch list

100 Questions & Answers About Chronic Pain by Vladimir Maletic M.D., Charles...

US $22.94 End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 8:39:10 PST Buy It Now for only: US $22.94 Buy it now | Add to watch list

A Headache in the Pelvis: A New Treatment for Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndromes...

US $32.94 End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 8:40:16 PST Buy It Now for only: US $32.94 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Defeat Chronic Pain Now! by Charles E. Argoff M.D. and Bradley S. Galer M.D....

US $21.98 End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 8:43:07 PST Buy It Now for only: US $21.98 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Mayo Clinic on Chronic Pain by Mayo Clinic 1999

US $1.00 End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 10:02:46 PST Buy It Now for only: US $1.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Chronic Pain and the Family: A New Guide

US $2.00 End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 14:26:25 PST Buy It Now for only: US $2.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Living with Chronic Pain: The Complete Health Guide to

US $16.99 End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 14:46:23 PST Buy It Now for only: US $16.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

DoTerra DoTerra Deep Blue Essential Oil:5ml good for chronic pain,arthritis GPTG

US $29.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 14:54:41 PST Buy It Now for only: US $32.95 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Chronic Pelvic Pain: An Integrated Approach, John F. Steege MD, Deborah A. Metzg

US $65.05 End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 16:19:23 PST Buy It Now for only: US $65.05 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Doctor's Guide to Chronic Pain by Richard Laliberte ...

US $2.99 End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 16:40:42 PST Buy It Now for only: US $2.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

SUBLIMINAL HYPNOSIS BACK PAIN RELIEF-END STOP CHRONIC ACHES REMEDY TREATMENT AID

US $12.99 End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 17:34:44 PST Buy It Now for only: US $12.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

SUBLIMINAL FIBROMYALGIA AID- CHRONIC PAIN RELIEF FATIGUE TREATMENT CURE REMEDY

US $11.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 17:38:36 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Managing chronic pain: A patient's guide by C. David Tollison

US $0.99 End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 18:00:07 PST Buy It Now for only: US $0.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Medicine, Pain Study, Chronic Pain, Migraine, Fibromyal

US $45.00 End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 20:43:51 PST Buy It Now for only: US $45.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Isolated Stretching: Rehab for Chronic Pain & Sports Injuries by James Waslaski

US $49.99 End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 22:28:24 PST Buy It Now for only: US $49.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Treatment of Chronic Pain, M. Mumenthaler, Very Good Bo

US $153.98 End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 22:38:30 PST Buy It Now for only: US $153.98 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Psoas Release Party!: Release Your Body from Chronic Pain and Discomfort by...

US $17.23 End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 23:15:56 PST Buy It Now for only: US $17.23 Buy it now | Add to watch list

10 Simple Solutions to Chronic Pain: How to Stop Pain

US $4.39 End Date: Thursday Feb-09-2012 23:36:27 PST Buy It Now for only: US $4.39 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Fibromyalgia & Chronic Myofascial Pain by Devin Starlanyl (2001, Paperback)

US $17.78 End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 0:34:57 PST Buy It Now for only: US $17.78 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Living with Chronic Pain: The Complete Health Guide to

US $26.61 End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 1:55:21 PST Buy It Now for only: US $26.61 Buy it now | Add to watch list

The Truth About Chronic Pain: Patients And… by…

US $29.17 End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 2:23:26 PST Buy It Now for only: US $29.17 Buy it now | Add to watch list

A Boomer's Guide to Chronic Pain by Michael J. Kaye (2010, Paperback)

US $15.94 End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 6:54:53 PST Buy It Now for only: US $15.94 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Coping with Chronic Illness: Neck and Back Pain Migrain

US $6.50 End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 7:03:01 PST Buy It Now for only: US $6.50 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Pain Relief: How to Say No to Acute, Chronic and Cancer Pain by Jane Cowles...

US $4.98 End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 7:32:41 PST Buy It Now for only: US $4.98 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Ache Away Amazing Natural Chelated Chronic Pain Relief Supplement 90 count

US $14.44 End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 9:30:43 PST Buy It Now for only: US $14.44 Buy it now | Add to watch list

The Chronic Pain Solution: The Comprehensive, Step-by-S

US $4.95 End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 9:30:51 PST Buy It Now for only: US $4.95 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Gunn Approach to the Treatment of Chronic Pain: Intramuscular Stimulation for...

US $77.54 End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 10:10:41 PST Buy It Now for only: US $77.54 Buy it now | Add to watch list

ECHINACEA hyperactivity disorder ADHD pain dizziness chronic fatigue rheumatism

US $19.99 End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 12:31:02 PST Buy It Now for only: US $19.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Winning With Chronic Pain: A Complete Program for Healt

US $6.90 End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 12:45:27 PST Buy It Now for only: US $6.90 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Living with Chronic Pain: The Complete Health Guide to

US $7.99 End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 13:30:58 PST Buy It Now for only: US $7.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Freedom from Chronic Pain by Norman J. Marcus, Jean ...

US $0.99 End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 14:51:19 PST Buy It Now for only: US $0.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

NEW Acceptance And Commitment Therapy For Chronic Pain

US $25.72 End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 16:12:54 PST Buy It Now for only: US $25.72 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Reversing Chronic Pain by Maggie Phillips, Paperback, BRAND NEW FREE P&H

US $22.32 End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 17:02:19 PST Buy It Now for only: US $22.32 Buy it now | Add to watch list

DHEA- Chronic Pain & Arthritis Pain Relief- 100 25mg Tablets: $7.99

US $7.99 End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 17:11:26 PST Buy It Now for only: US $7.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

SUBLIMINAL CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME CFS AID-PAIN RELIEF-NEW BRAINWAVE TECHNOLOGY

US $11.99 End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 19:55:10 PST Buy It Now for only: US $11.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

NEW A Chronic Pain Management Manual: A Guide for Those

US $21.21 End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 20:24:44 PST Buy It Now for only: US $21.21 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Chronic Pain for Dummies by Charles J. Vierck, Elizabeth Vierck and Stuart S....

US $2.49 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 20:42:08 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

NEW The Natural Way of Healing Chronic Pain - Medicine

US $13.42 End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 20:50:24 PST Buy It Now for only: US $13.42 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Winning With Chronic Pain: A Complete Program for Heal

US $4.39 End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 20:51:28 PST Buy It Now for only: US $4.39 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain: A Survival Manual-Pain Relief

US $9.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 20:54:26 PST Buy It Now for only: US $14.95 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

NEW Chronic Pain - A Medical Dictionary, Bibliography,

US $28.95 End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 22:23:51 PST Buy It Now for only: US $28.95 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Older Women With Chronic Pain

US $1.00 End Date: Friday Feb-10-2012 23:46:54 PST Buy It Now for only: US $1.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Neurostimulation for the Treatment of Chronic Pain by Timothy R. Deer, BRAND NEW

US $137.43 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 1:42:49 PST Buy It Now for only: US $137.43 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Childhood Abuse and Chronic Pain: A Curious Relationship?, Ranjan Roy, Good Book

US $6.98 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 2:36:58 PST Buy It Now for only: US $6.98 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Hypnosis for Chronic Pain Management Workbook NEW

US $42.14 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 3:09:45 PST Buy It Now for only: US $42.14 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Chronic Pain Care Workbook - NEW BOOK

US $33.98 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 6:07:51 PST Buy It Now for only: US $33.98 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Living with Chronic Pain, Second Edition: The Complete

US $8.09 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 6:24:16 PST Buy It Now for only: US $8.09 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Sound Healing: Ease Chronic Pain: Music, Imagery, Book Journal by Judy...

US $2.99 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 9:23:35 PST Buy It Now for only: US $2.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

The Cure For Chronic Pain

US $11.19 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 10:18:18 PST Buy It Now for only: US $11.19 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Dr. Todd's Miracle Herbal Hot or Cold Pac for Chronic PAIN

US $19.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 10:21:00 PST Buy It Now for only: US $28.99 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Chronic Pain in Old Age: An Integrated Biopsychosocial

US $4.99 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 11:19:08 PST Buy It Now for only: US $4.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

NEW CONCEPTS CRANIOMANDIBULAR & CHRONIC PAIN MANAGEMENT

US $139.99 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 11:34:54 PST Buy It Now for only: US $139.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Pharmacological Approaches to the Treatment of Chronic Pain: New Concepts and ..

US $38.99 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 12:33:13 PST Buy It Now for only: US $38.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Neurostimulation for the Treatment of Chronic Pain by Timothy R. Deer, BRAND NEW

US $168.33 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 13:43:37 PST Buy It Now for only: US $168.33 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Pain Free for Women: The Revolutionary Program for Ending Chronic Pain by Rog...

US $9.99 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 15:15:51 PST Buy It Now for only: US $9.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

NEW Compact Clinical Guide to Chronic Pain Management -

US $39.13 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 16:20:54 PST Buy It Now for only: US $39.13 Buy it now | Add to watch list

FIBROMYALGIA CHRONIC MYOFASCIAL PAIN SYNDROME MANUAL

US $37.00 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 16:21:49 PST Buy It Now for only: US $37.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Chronic Pain, Volume 2, , Very Good Book

US $4.99 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 17:08:19 PST Buy It Now for only: US $4.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Evidence-Based Chronic Pain Management NEW

US $222.44 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 17:16:13 PST Buy It Now for only: US $222.44 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Effortless Pain Relief: A Guide to Self-Healing from Chronic Pain,

US $14.48 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 18:12:39 PST Buy It Now for only: US $14.48 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Chronic Pain Self-treatment Including Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: The Schatz Techn..

US $27.60 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 18:47:53 PST Buy It Now for only: US $27.60 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Acupressure Taping: For Chronic Pain And Injuries by…

US $27.01 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 19:08:19 PST Buy It Now for only: US $27.01 Buy it now | Add to watch list

WOMAN'S DAY APRIL 2011 READY FOR SPRING/CHRONIC PAIN

US $5.00 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 19:24:59 PST Buy It Now for only: US $5.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Understanding Chronic Pain: A Doctor Talks to His Patie

US $6.73 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 20:23:53 PST Buy It Now for only: US $6.73 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Compact Clinical Guide to Chronic Pain Management by Yvonne M. D'Arcy, Paperback

US $44.49 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 20:40:23 PST Buy It Now for only: US $44.49 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome by Shoskes Daniel A. M.D. (EDT)

US $105.38 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 20:40:38 PST Buy It Now for only: US $105.38 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Chronic Pain and Addiction by Clark M. R. (EDT)/ Treisman G. J. (EDT), Hardcover

US $83.06 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 20:42:17 PST Buy It Now for only: US $83.06 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Acceptance And Commitment Therapy For Chronic Pain by JoAnne C. Dahl, Paperback

US $33.54 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 20:47:27 PST Buy It Now for only: US $33.54 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Reversing Chronic Pain by Maggie Phillips, Paperback, BRAND NEW

US $15.41 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 20:47:27 PST Buy It Now for only: US $15.41 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Handbook of Pediatric Chronic Pain, (EDT), Hardcover, BRAND NEW

US $167.94 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 20:50:06 PST Buy It Now for only: US $167.94 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Acceptance And Commitment Therapy For Chronic Pain by JoAnne C. Dahl, Paperback

US $40.62 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 20:59:47 PST Buy It Now for only: US $40.62 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Compact Clinical Guide to Chronic Pain Management by Yvonne M. D'Arcy, Paperback

US $52.72 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 21:00:54 PST Buy It Now for only: US $52.72 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Psychosocial Interventions For Chronic Pain: In…

US $324.23 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 21:01:21 PST Buy It Now for only: US $324.23 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome by Shoskes Daniel A. M.D. (EDT)

US $123.21 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 21:06:40 PST Buy It Now for only: US $123.21 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Handbook of Pediatric Chronic Pain, (EDT), Hardcover, BRAND NEW FREE P&H

US $197.74 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 21:06:44 PST Buy It Now for only: US $197.74 Buy it now | Add to watch list

New Directions in Chronic Pain: Management of Sleep Disorders: Focus on...

US $4.80 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 21:12:58 PST Buy It Now for only: US $4.80 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Chronic Pain: Living By Faith When Your Body Hurts…

US $25.93 End Date: Saturday Feb-11-2012 23:21:01 PST Buy It Now for only: US $25.93 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Hypnosis For Chronic Pain Management: Workbook by…

US $62.68 End Date: Sunday Feb-12-2012 1:34:06 PST Buy It Now for only: US $62.68 Buy it now | Add to watch list

COBROXIN for Chronic Pain - HOMEOPATHIC- New in box

US $2.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Sunday Feb-12-2012 5:21:29 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Handbook of Pediatric Chronic Pain: Current Science and

US $201.02 End Date: Sunday Feb-12-2012 10:05:02 PST Buy It Now for only: US $201.02 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Reversing Chronic Pain By Phillips, Maggie/ Levine, Peter A. (FRW)

US $22.34 End Date: Sunday Feb-12-2012 11:12:56 PST Buy It Now for only: US $22.34 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Sound Healing: Ease Chronic Pain (Sounds of Healing)

US $0.99 End Date: Sunday Feb-12-2012 11:39:06 PST Buy It Now for only: US $0.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Assessing Chronic Pain: A Multidisicplinary Clinic Hand

US $7.87 End Date: Sunday Feb-12-2012 11:40:36 PST Buy It Now for only: US $7.87 Buy it now | Add to watch list

NEW The Chronic Pain Solution - Dillard, James N., M.D.

US $10.43 End Date: Sunday Feb-12-2012 12:41:21 PST Buy It Now for only: US $10.43 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Conquering Your Child's Chronic Pain: A Pediatrician's

US $14.56 End Date: Sunday Feb-12-2012 13:05:01 PST Buy It Now for only: US $14.56 Buy it now | Add to watch list

SUBLIMINAL FIBROMYALGIA AID-FM FMS CHRONIC PAIN RELIEF-BRAINWAVE MIND TECHNOLOGY

US $12.99 End Date: Sunday Feb-12-2012 13:13:44 PST Buy It Now for only: US $12.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Chronic Pain: A Practical Care Guide to Practical Ma...

US $79.95 End Date: Sunday Feb-12-2012 13:21:53 PST Buy It Now for only: US $79.95 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Murph’s Arthritis & Chronic Pain Formula V2.0 4oz

US $10.00 End Date: Sunday Feb-12-2012 13:56:16 PST Buy It Now for only: US $10.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

COBROXIN ORAL SPRAY FOR CHRONIC PAIN STAGE 2 PAIN KILLER

US $2.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Sunday Feb-12-2012 16:29:54 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

### Bonnie Boots publishes Pain Health News to provide information and motivation to people living with chronic pain. Stay in touch with her by typing your email address into the subscriber box in the upper right corner.

I long for those days when everything came easy. So I’m always looking for the easy way out. Last month, I found two easy ways to deal with some tiny but troubling issues and thought I’d share them with you.

I love coffee in all its forms. I used to spend more money on coffee in a year than most people spend on their car. My kitchen was packed with filter coffee pots and Italian cappuccino makers and the mailman brought me weekly deliveries of roasted beans from around the world. And then something terrible happened… I started having a problem with caffeine.

It crept up on me slowly, but one day, I had to admit it. Drinking caffeinated beverages like coffee and cola was giving me all sorts of problems from jittery nerves to sleeplessness. And finally it started giving me acid reflux. That’s when I absolutely had to change my coffee swilling ways.

I tried tapering off in all sorts of ways, like drinking decaf and even Sanka. Yuck! Just shoot me. Then last week I found a coffee substitute that really does have rich, round flavors. I could probably tell it from coffee in a blind taste test, but it’s close enough to the real think to pass. And it’s own flavor is so full and satisfying that I honestly like it for itself, not just because it works as a coffee substitute.

The product name is “Teecino.” It comes in 10 flavors. Right now I’m drinking the Mediterranean Mocha Herbal Coffee flavor. It’s tasty all by itself, with a dark chocolate aftertaste. It’s doubly delicious with a dollop of cinnamon-flavored creamer in it.

I chose the Mediterranean Mocha flavor because the Teecino website said “coffee lovers who are adapting their taste buds to herbal coffee find that Mocha can make that transition easier. We find that coffee drinkers who say they don’t like any flavors, love both Mocha and Maya Chocolaté.”

Teecino is widely available in many health food stores and natural food supermarkets. I easily found it available at five locations in my big city. I bought the 11-ounce bag of Mediterranean Mocha locally for $8.99, so the per-cup price is about what I was paying for gourmet coffee brews.

The website  says Teecino can be brewed in whatever way you normally brew coffee. I'm brewing it in a Bodum French Press.  I've always  preferred using a French Press for brewing coffee because it's so easy to brew each cup fresh  rather than letting a whole pot get cold and bitter.  I'm delighted it's just as good for brewing Teecino. (And I discovered this morning, when my Teecino grew cold while I was on the phone, that Teecino reheats in the microwave without developing a bitter aftertaste, as coffee often does.)

Call around. If you can’t find it locally, check out the Teecino website to order online.  It also has a search bar to find stores in your location. http://www.teeccino.com The web site offers a sampler pack of all ten flavors for $12.99 so you can taste test before you buy a larger bag. Now I have the best of both worlds—a hot drink with rich, satisfying flavors and better health. How easy!

Here’s another product I just discovered that solved a troubling problem for me. Since the death of my dearest friend last November, I’d been struggling just to get though the days. I thought my lack of energy was due to grief. But when I finally asked my doctor for a physical, he told me I had the lowest Vitamin B12 blood level he’d ever seen in a patient. “This is serious,” he warned. “B12 levels this low can cause nerve damage.”

The lack of B12 accounted for my lack of energy. The body produces B12 as a byproduct of processing the foods we eat each day. My doctor agreed that grief might have impacted on my digestive system and caused the problem. But suggested it could also be my age. People over 50, he said, often show lower B12 levels.

My doctor gave me an injection of B12. A week later, after checking new lab results, the doctor told me I’d need a B12 injection once a week, possibly for months. This news did not make me a happy camper. The long trip to his office once a week just for an injection was going to be a problem. And the cost wouldn’t be covered by my insurance. So I did what I always do—I turned to the internet to look for alternatives.

Out in Cyberspace, I found a product called the B12 patch. The patches are small, about the size of a dime or small coin, and are placed on the skin behind the ear lobe. The B12 is absorbed through the skin, thus bypassing my uncooperative digestive system. The patches are left on for 24 hours, and then discarded.

A box holds 4 patches, a one-month supply, and sells for $24.95 a box. I felt a slight difference in using the first two patches. Compared to the injections, I had slightly less energy. So I tried using a patch every 5th day instead of every 7th day and felt slightly better.

If the patches work–something I won't know for sure until my next blood test–getting the amount of B12 my body needs, without the trouble of an office visit and only a fraction of the expense. How easy!

The Vitasceince B-12 Patch appears to be a relatively new product. I did not find it for sale anywhere locally. I did find several web sites devoted to selling it when I Googled “Vitasceince B-12 Patch.” I purchased the Vitascience B-12 Patch online at a site that  offered a discount refill program. Since I’ll be using this product for some time, I wanted that extra savings. That site is http://store.vitasciences.com/category/3/B12-Patch&skin=dp_b12

I strongly urge you to consult a doctor before you use this or any vitamin, mineral or herbal product as many natural products can impact on pain medications.

The B-12 Patch is just one example of the many new products  hitting the market every day, bringing us better and easier ways of caring for our good health. If you’ve recently found something new that is making your life healthier, and doing it easier, share it with us by using the comment boxes. I’ll filter out anything I think is just marketers linking to affiilate products, but anyone recommending products they truly use and love is warmly welcomed!

UPDATE: After a two-month trial of the B12 patches, my blood levels of B12 were still low. My doctor's office instructed me in giving myself B12 injections at home. I did this once a week for a couple of months and now do it once a month. For many people, sublingual B12 supplements, which are held under the tongue until they are absorbed, are a good alternative. Only your doctor can help you determine which is best for you.

### Bonnie Boots publishes Pain Health News to provide information, motivation and conversation to people dealing with chronic pain. To keep in touch with me, fill out the subscriber form in the upper right of this page.

Because it's adjacent to a large lake, Chicago's winters are always cold and damp, but this winter has been especially brutal. The weather is wreaking havoc with my friend's arthritis, so when Christmas came around, I naturally wanted to send her a gift that would ease her discomfort.

She's been spending a good deal of time on the couch, resting and watching TV, and when I asked what she would like for Christmas, my friend said "Have you seen those ads for the blanket with sleeves? It looks so cozy.  I'd love to have one of those."

If you live in the U.S., you can hardly have missed the television ads for this product. One particular company offers to deliver two of the blankets with sleeves, along with two reading lights,  for under twenty dollars plus the cost of shipping.

At that price, I really didn't expect a quality product. Still, when the package arrived, I had a moment of hoping I would be pleasantly surprised. I was not. When I opened the bag, out slid two thin "blankets" made of the very cheapest kind of fleece. They had a distinctively chemical smell.

There was no way I was going to give this as a gift, but it was what my friend had specifically requested, and with barely a week until Christmas, what was I to do? I turned, as always, to the internet and after some searching, I found my answer–the Nuddle Blanket.

The Nuddle  (NuddleBlanket = Nap + Cuddle)  is exactly what I wanted to give my friend–the blanket equivalent of a warm hug. The Nuddle is made from a luxuriously soft and thick ultra-plush microfiber, so deep and soft you can't resist sinking into it's embrace. It has slits for your arms, as well as a wide outer pocket for your hands. That way, your hands stay warm while you can still easily reach out to hold a book or the TV remote. The Nuddle is long enough to cover your body from your neck to your feet, and it has a pocket at the bottom to keep your feet tucked in. It's altogether warm, cozy and top quality-something that will hold up well for several years of use.

This cuddle blanket was exactly what I wanted for my friend-something to give her an extra measure of comfort and pleasure.

.With Christmas just a week away, I had no time to lose. I sent my friend a big, fancy card telling her Santa would deliver my gift a little late-but it would be worth the wait. When the Nudddle arrived at my house, I packed it up with two paperbacks and some specialty cocoa and took it to United Parcel Service, who delivered it in Chicago two days later. My friend called me immediately to tell me how delighted she was with her gift. And she called again yesterday to tell me how much pleasure she's getting from her cuddle blanket.

"I don't like to lay around in my bathrobe, like I'm sick," she told me. "Now I can be up and dressed, but when I need to rest, I curl up on the couch with my Nuddle. It's so soft and cozy. Just wrapping up in it helps me relax."

It's exactly what I wanted to give her-comfort and joy. And I have the satisfaction of knowing she'll use it for several years.

What happened to the cheap " blankets with sleeves," the ones that looked worn out right out of the bag? I would have spent a total of $16 in postage if I'd returned them ($8 to mail them to me, another $8 to send them back) so rather than throw good money after bad, I donated them to a charity thrift store. That way, at least someone will get some good from them.

If cold and damp add to your pain, check out the Nuddle blanket. I think you'll enjoy it every bit as much as my friend is . Click here to see the NuddleBlanket: Cuddle Up In Comfort It comes with my highest recommendation. After all, it single-handedly saved Christmas!

### Bonnie Boots publishes Pain Health News to provide information and motivation to people living with chronic pain.  You can stay in touch with her by typing your email address into the subscribe box in the upper right corner of this page.