Physically falling apart, lost 4 jobs recently to pain and running out of cash. Lostsa words here but I'd appreciate some pointers.

Listen very carefully: YOU NEED HEALTH INSURANCE!

It is not optional for you.

Apply for a plan under your state's health insurance marketplace. Just fill out the application and it'll tell you if you qualify for a subsidized plan. If there's a plan that you can afford, and I mean scraping the bottom of the barrel, cutting out all other expenses, living on ramen, whatever it takes afford, then get it.

If not, then find out how you can afford it and get it if you can not get Medicaid. Your back will not get better on its own. It will only get worse unless you get it treated, and the longer you wait, the more difficult and expensive that treatment will be.

I had back issues myself, spent some time paralyzed, had spinal surgery, and spent months learning to walk again, so believe me, I know how debilitating it can be.

We're currently in the open enrollment period, so you can sign up for a plan on the exchange until January 31, 2017. Do not wait until then. Visit this link right now and get started: https://www.healthcare.gov/screener/

There's no medical exam or prerequisites, you don't have to justify your pain to anyone to get covered, you just have to pick a plan and sign up for it.

Then fix your back! Go to an orthopedic surgeon specializing in the spine, not a pain management place or urgent care clinic.

This ...

it's also getting more difficult to breathe and frequently parts of my back tingle or go numb and then moving just becomes hard to do

... is extremely concerning. Numbness likely means your spinal cord is impacted and difficulty breathing related to spinal problems is not something to take chances on ever.

You need to get this fixed ASAP, and it starts right now with you looking for health insurance.

https://www.healthcare.gov/screener/

/r/personalfinance Thread