Dog medicine alternatives

Question
Hi,
Yesterday I took my dog (a mix-breed stray I adopted, female, overweight since spayed, about the size of a border collie) to the vet because she's been in pain for the last week (she must have hurt her leg when I wasn't looking), limping and walking real slowly when climbing or descending stairs.  
They took x-rays and say nothing's wrong with her bones but she's apparently got a tendinitis (?) and they prescribed ADEQUAN and RYMADYL.  They're both REALLY, REALLY expensive and I don't see how I can afford a long-term treatment.  Any ideas on less expensive medicine that might serve the same purpose?  Also, we have to consider that she's got a tendency to develop gastritis when medicines are too aggressive.

Hope you can help us!
Grace

Answer
Hi Grace,
  This question is out of my expertise only because I don't know of any  "over the counter"  medications to tell ya'. You can try to ask Dr. Jennifer Fry on this site she is a veterinarian, see what she says. Sorry...take care and good luck.