I have extra Ribavirin my doctor cut back my rib because my blood count dropped
hrsetrdr said
Oct 9, 2014
I was stuck with a whole month's supply of peg-inf. riba and victrelis when my tx was abruptly halted. I just put all the riba and vic capsules in a coffee can and put water in to dissolve them. Then just went in trash. With the peg-inf I just squirted the contents in the dirt in the yard, then put the syringes in a "sharps" container and turned them in at the med clinic.
I was bummed out over having to halt tx, but the process of disposing of the meds gave me some pleasure, saying "goodbye" to the meds that made my body so...weird, for months.
wmlj1960 said
Oct 9, 2014
Tig56 wrote:
Hey Huey,
I've been told by different agencies that city utilities don't even want us flushing them anymore for fear of contaminating the ground water supply. Kind of makes you shudder to think of what they're doing with some of that waste water!
Tig
The process starts via a machine called an 'off-all' to separate the large solids, cough, cough,, and ends with chemical treatment and the water looks, feels, taste just like what comes out of your kitchen sink faucet because that's what it is. Ask me why I drink decaf tea that I boil a gallon at a time rather than drinking water. And I boil all the water I use to fill my freezer ice trays too.
hepcinbama wrote:
what do I do with these extra meds id hate to flush them
This is true Myke about not flushing them. City supply water for drinking etc is processed through filters to remove foreign solid matter down to microscopic levels and it is also treated with certain chemicals to kill unwanted biological contaminants but there is really no completely sufficient way of removing some of the chemicals contained in many pharmaceuticals. I've work as machinery mechanic/electrician for a major pharmaceutical corp (chemical company) and, on occasion, had to wear a whole-body HAZMAT garment, SCBA oxygen supply, and radiation shielding in order to go into a machine to preform repairs. Some of these life saving meds go though stages during the creation process that can be very deadly. If the finished product is accidentally introduced into an environment that can alter it's stability then it can again become very deadly to some degree in certain circumstances.
These life saving meds are certainly invaluable for saving lives, but there is no telling what negative ramifications may occur to future generations if we keep contaminating the ground water on our only home, Earth, via irresponsible waste management. JMO My local waste management facility disposed of ~150 old HIV, psychiatric and pain meds for me for free / no paperwork needed.
PS: I remember reading that you live in Bham from your very first thread. I lived in Bham from 1962-71 (2-11 years old) and again in 94-95. I remember in the 60's when that city was so polluted that you could not see the city from the Vulcan statue on top of Red Mountain due to smog from all the steel mills. When I moved back there in 94 I knew not to drink the water because of what I remembered from the 60's, and I also noticed most people there drink bottled water only.
I agree that a recycle / meds for the needy program would be an excellent resource, but I have no idea about where to get any information for anything like this.
Tig said
Oct 8, 2014
Hey Huey,
Many states have different requirements and that's certainly the same with pharmacies. Here in my area, the pharmacies won't touch left over medication and my doctors office wanted no part of it. I've been told by different agencies that city utilities don't even want us flushing them anymore for fear of contaminating the ground water supply. Kind of makes you shudder to think of what they're doing with some of that waste water! One thing I've been told by more than one state agency, if you have unwanted chemicals, contact the agency that handles your contaminated waste or your local landfill for instructions of drop off locations. They will destroy all of it for you, often without question or the need to fill out paperwork.
Tig
Huey said
Oct 8, 2014
i think the left over meds are the concern of the nurse that the pharm gave you, The phone nurse. Call that nurse and tell her about the LO meds, They need to know this to correct the problem, and if you do not need the meds I think that it is the property of the pharm anyway so let them decide what to do with them, just my thoughts.
We are all in this together keep your stick on the ice 'Red Green Show'
hepcinbama said
Oct 6, 2014
thank you Tig for your positive outlook an words of encouragement hopefuly soon then later!
Tig said
Oct 5, 2014
Hi Myke,
I understand what you're saying and wish there was an outlet or procedure for sharing these life saving drugs with people that are less fortunate than others. Unfortunately that hasn't been worked out yet. Hopefully when they figure out how to adequately insure the world, equally and properly, they'll also include a way to legally share left over medication. I'm hopeful we'll see some improvements in my lifetime, but I'm not holding my breath for an overnight solution. But that doesn't mean we stop hoping and trying to make things right. I appreciate your desire to help and like you, will hope we can find a way to make your wish happen sooner than later! Good luck...
Tig
hepcinbama said
Oct 5, 2014
dear tig they were paid for by Obama care so to give them back to the pharm I feel would be like government to pull hens teeth!not bashing my government I don't always agree an I didn't vote for current pres.,but I still stand behind him an proud to be American ,but I would love to see these get in the hands of someone who like me could never afford them weather they be from usa or mars makes no difference one world one people your color or wear you were born should not make a difference weather or not you get treatment!
Tig said
Oct 3, 2014
Hey Myke,
I'm glad to hear you're done with Tx! Let us know more about it. I know how special those two drugs are and I wouldn't want to take them again either! As far as your extra meds, check with your doctor and see if they will take them. Some areas have community storage and drug assistance programs to distribute drugs in emergencies. Some pharmacies will take them back as well. It's unfortunate to see these expensive and valuable medications without a home. We know how many people could benefit from them but aren't able to provide any more recommendations than that.
Let us know how things are going with you. Post your EOT viral load when you know. We'd love to share your good news! Good luck...
Tig
hepcinbama said
Oct 3, 2014
I have a good bit of Ribavirin because my doctor cut back on my rib an the pharm just kept sending it ,im through with treatment an doc said he will not retreat me with rib an peg pen again if I relaps ha ha! what do I do with these extra meds id hate to flush them if they could help someone.One the same token don't want to hurt anyone as well .!
I was stuck with a whole month's supply of peg-inf. riba and victrelis when my tx was abruptly halted. I just put all the riba and vic capsules in a coffee can and put water in to dissolve them. Then just went in trash. With the peg-inf I just squirted the contents in the dirt in the yard, then put the syringes in a "sharps" container and turned them in at the med clinic.
I was bummed out over having to halt tx, but the process of disposing of the meds gave me some pleasure, saying "goodbye" to the meds that made my body so...weird, for months.
The process starts via a machine called an 'off-all' to separate the large solids, cough, cough,, and ends with chemical treatment and the water looks, feels, taste just like what comes out of your kitchen sink faucet because that's what it is. Ask me why I drink decaf tea that I boil a gallon at a time rather than drinking water. And I boil all the water I use to fill my freezer ice trays too.
This is true Myke about not flushing them. City supply water for drinking etc is processed through filters to remove foreign solid matter down to microscopic levels and it is also treated with certain chemicals to kill unwanted biological contaminants but there is really no completely sufficient way of removing some of the chemicals contained in many pharmaceuticals. I've work as machinery mechanic/electrician for a major pharmaceutical corp (chemical company) and, on occasion, had to wear a whole-body HAZMAT garment, SCBA oxygen supply, and radiation shielding in order to go into a machine to preform repairs. Some of these life saving meds go though stages during the creation process that can be very deadly. If the finished product is accidentally introduced into an environment that can alter it's stability then it can again become very deadly to some degree in certain circumstances.
These life saving meds are certainly invaluable for saving lives, but there is no telling what negative ramifications may occur to future generations if we keep contaminating the ground water on our only home, Earth, via irresponsible waste management. JMO My local waste management facility disposed of ~150 old HIV, psychiatric and pain meds for me for free / no paperwork needed.
PS: I remember reading that you live in Bham from your very first thread. I lived in Bham from 1962-71 (2-11 years old) and again in 94-95. I remember in the 60's when that city was so polluted that you could not see the city from the Vulcan statue on top of Red Mountain due to smog from all the steel mills. When I moved back there in 94 I knew not to drink the water because of what I remembered from the 60's, and I also noticed most people there drink bottled water only.
I agree that a recycle / meds for the needy program would be an excellent resource, but I have no idea about where to get any information for anything like this.
Hey Huey,
Many states have different requirements and that's certainly the same with pharmacies. Here in my area, the pharmacies won't touch left over medication and my doctors office wanted no part of it. I've been told by different agencies that city utilities don't even want us flushing them anymore for fear of contaminating the ground water supply. Kind of makes you shudder to think of what they're doing with some of that waste water! One thing I've been told by more than one state agency, if you have unwanted chemicals, contact the agency that handles your contaminated waste or your local landfill for instructions of drop off locations. They will destroy all of it for you, often without question or the need to fill out paperwork.
Tig
i think the left over meds are the concern of the nurse that the pharm gave you, The phone nurse. Call that nurse and tell her about the LO meds, They need to know this to correct the problem, and if you do not need the meds I think that it is the property of the pharm anyway so let them decide what to do with them, just my thoughts.
We are all in this together keep your stick on the ice 'Red Green Show'
thank you Tig for your positive outlook an words of encouragement hopefuly soon then later!
Hi Myke,
I understand what you're saying and wish there was an outlet or procedure for sharing these life saving drugs with people that are less fortunate than others. Unfortunately that hasn't been worked out yet. Hopefully when they figure out how to adequately insure the world, equally and properly, they'll also include a way to legally share left over medication. I'm hopeful we'll see some improvements in my lifetime, but I'm not holding my breath for an overnight solution. But that doesn't mean we stop hoping and trying to make things right. I appreciate your desire to help and like you, will hope we can find a way to make your wish happen sooner than later! Good luck...
Tig
dear tig they were paid for by Obama care so to give them back to the pharm I feel would be like government to pull hens teeth!not bashing my government I don't always agree an I didn't vote for current pres.,but I still stand behind him an proud to be American ,but I would love to see these get in the hands of someone who like me could never afford them weather they be from usa or mars makes no difference one world one people your color or wear you were born should not make a difference weather or not you get treatment!
Hey Myke,
I'm glad to hear you're done with Tx! Let us know more about it. I know how special those two drugs are and I wouldn't want to take them again either! As far as your extra meds, check with your doctor and see if they will take them. Some areas have community storage and drug assistance programs to distribute drugs in emergencies. Some pharmacies will take them back as well. It's unfortunate to see these expensive and valuable medications without a home. We know how many people could benefit from them but aren't able to provide any more recommendations than that.
Let us know how things are going with you. Post your EOT viral load when you know. We'd love to share your good news! Good luck...
Tig
I have a good bit of Ribavirin because my doctor cut back on my rib an the pharm just kept sending it ,im through with treatment an doc said he will not retreat me with rib an peg pen again if I relaps ha ha! what do I do with these extra meds id hate to flush them if they could help someone.One the same token don't want to hurt anyone as well .!