I am pulling my hair out trying to figure this out.?

my heart goes out to you. If collection agencies are calling, that means there is no hope of the company getting paid so if they keep hounding you and get you to pay, they get a BIG percent of the balance you pay. yes it ruins your credit but it sounds like you are there already :o(.....I would try to consolidate...In Minnesota there is a new company called Freedom debt that is doing a great job at getting people out of debt. The guy who started it was in the same boat as you and they can get debt paid off in just a few years....I don't know where you live but you could give it a shot. They are in Minneapolis Minnesota...Your debt can be paid off faster than consolidating your bills. They really work on the places you have debt to get it reduced.... Try freedomdebt.com....good luck and i really wish i could help you, my daughter was in the same boat as you and its not much fun.