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547836 tn?1302832832

Ike hits, i'm out of power, what do i do with my MEDS?

Please Please Help.  I evacuated before the storm came and only took a 2 wks supply of my injections.  I left most of my meds (2 pegasys, and like 8 neupogen) at home in the fridge beause i didn't want to take all my meds and have them spoiled just in case i get delayed on the road.  

Now i'm safe, but i'm worred about my meds at home bc i know for a fact that my entire street is out of power.  and the earliest possible time for me to return home is 3 days later depending on if the airports open or not.

Do you think my meds in the fridge will spoil?  if so, what do i do?  what do i tell my pharmacy?  i feel so bad about not taking all my meds with me... how long will the fridge keep my meds insulated?

thanks
17 Responses
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547836 tn?1302832832
thanks so much everyone. i called Roche first thing this morning and got 2 replacements.  they told me they can only send it to LA bc there is not way mail can get through to Houston as of now.  i still have a shot left for the end of this week so i'm hoping i can get my meds on time.

but thanks for the generous offers.  
Helpful - 0
412832 tn?1219075345
If it turns out you need to send meds via FedEx, I'll tell you how I sent mine from CA to OH overnight:

First, I bought a one-bottle wine shipper package from Bev n Mo -- it's a cardboard box that has styrofoam packaging insert that would normally go around a wine bottle (cost about $3.)  I also bought a cold pack from the drug store and froze it overnight (also cost about $3.)  

About an hour before FedEx closed for the day, I packed up the meds in the box with the frozen cold pack then took it to FedEx and shipped overnight.  When the recipient received the next am, the cold pack was thawed but the syringes were still cool...

Hope this helps, although I doubt you'll need to do this... From what I've heard, I think you're meds will be gladly replaced and swiftly!  Hope you faired ok in the storm too!

pK

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My doctor has some emergency supplies.  maybe if you call him, he might could help.  He probably has some other !

Good luck!

If nothing else, us fellow heppers can help.  Fed-ex goes everywhere!!!!!

Jean
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
HCA
I had a panic once and called Roche.
They told me they had rec'd Peg back after ten days,unrfrigererated when they tested it it was fine.
Remember it has a half life of 72 hours in your body where it is really hot.
I feel confident you will get a fresh batch though.
Helpful - 0
548668 tn?1394187222
My fridge broke down in week 2 of tx; The repair man said the temp would've been fluctuating because the fan had broken.   The fridge did remain at 12 degrees over the 24 hour period I measured (after I rushed the meds to a friend's fridge which was so much colder )- I was terrified as to how long the temp may have been fluctuating.

The dispensing chemist told me that a drop in temp once would not affect the efficacy of the drug, but could affect the use by date (i.e. it would be stable for less than the usual number of months use by time) which would not affect me using them currently.    My nurse agreed and said room temp was not our current winter temps and even over a 24 hour period it would be stable as long as the temp wasn't 'warm' (all pretty vague which was my thought also).  Both were adamant my meds were okay and I had no option but to continue with the meds (did manage a RVR so they couldn't have been totalled).

I was told it was a very stable drug, but the long-term stability would be affected and that the danger was in warm temps.    Don't take this for gospel - I don't have huge confidence in my medical team,  but I did check with the chemist twice who went away and checked.

If there's anyway you can measure the temp in the fridge when you get home,  it may help them make a decision about the efficacy of the meds.  However, I'm sure, as above there should not be a problem replacing them for you if necessary;  isn't the Govt putting money towards assistance generally?   I would have felt much better if mine had been replaced and I really empathise with how you're feeling...

Best of luck;  it has been such a very hard time - I've been so thinking of those of you who had to evacuate - especially while txing.  

Helpful - 0
547836 tn?1302832832
hey guys you guys are truly wonderful.  i'm calming down right now bc there really isn't much i can do than wait and call the pharm and Roche on Monday.  From your experiences, it sounds like Roche is really compliant and understanding.  I'm hoping the same with my situation.  I just don't want to put more pressure on my insurance... i already feel bad enough.

but seriously, i'm calmed so much by you guys and my parents.  

i can't thank you enough.
Helpful - 0
220090 tn?1379167187
You should check with the manufacturer.  The meds can tolerate room temprature for a day or two the last time I checked.  Your home owners insurance policy will probably pay for the meds if you do need to replace them.

I am sure that within two weeks you will resolve the problem.  I think everyone will be  very sympathetic to your problem.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm pretty sure Roche will work something out when their customer service opens on Monday. They have replaced Pegasys for me and others, so I see no reason why they won't replace yours, especially because it's not your fault the hurricane hit. Pretty sure you'll find help with the Neupogen as well. Try not to worry this weekend. The important thing is that you have two weeks left which will give you time to get replacements.

-- Jim
Helpful - 0
267347 tn?1189964825
I'm sure you have enough to worry about let alone getting your meds.  When I messed up on one of my shots, I asked to speak to a nurse with pegasys.  I received a call back within 1/2 hour and she set it up to have another shot sent out.  But.....I didn't finish tx, leave me a note if I can help you there.  Just not sure how FedEx works to keep things at a certain temp.  I was never on neupogen, maybe someone else here was?  You'll get through this.........promise.
Diana
Helpful - 0
547836 tn?1302832832
hey guys thanks so much.  i don't think my meds are gonna make it if electricity doesn't get restored by tomorrow.  

i called pegasys and the main number for my pharmacy and they can't tell me anything as of now bc roche pegasys doesn't work today and the main pharmacy can't reach my local pharm.  
i'm really scared that roche won't help me replace it and the insurance won't pay for it.  and on top of that, i also have a box of neupogen in the fridge too.  how am i going to replace those?

sorry, i'm really nervous right now
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Tough spot to be in .. you're getting good advice and I hope it works out well for you and everyone in this position.  Like  others, can't imagine what it would be like to have to evacuate your home and just hope for the best and that's what I'm hoping for for you.. hoping for the best.  Hang in there, lalapple.

Trish
Helpful - 0
267347 tn?1189964825
There was one time I made a mistake with a shot, called Pegasys and was sent one.  Totally bypassed the pharmacy.  
I wasn't able to finish tx, (ahem).... let me know if the other avenues are dead ends.
I can't even imagine what it would be like to have to evacuate my home and I wish you the best of luck with all this.
Diana
Helpful - 0
96938 tn?1189799858
I've been spending all night and most of the day on the subject of conditions in Texas.  It is good that you have 2 weeks supply on hand.  But power is out all over the region (2 million customers) and it could be a long time before it's restored.  If the pharm is also in the area, they probably also have power/refrigeration issues and may need to be re-supplied themselves. So, work the issue when you are able be patient and realize that the 2 week clock is ticking.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Something similar happened to me and I phoned the pharmacy, which offered to send me a replacement for my month's supply. It said it didn't think I should take a chance, even though there was a possibility the meds were still okay. I fretted over this 'emergency' but it seemed quite routine to the pharmacy. When I finally reached my NP, she was adamant that it needed to be replaced, saying that if the pharmacy had balked, she would have insisted.

Good luck. T
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The pharmacy may or may not be able to do it on their own. They may need authorization from the drug manufacturers. I suggest you call them yourself ASAP to get the ball rolling. Here's the help line for Pegasys:
http://www.pegasys.com/injecting/hep-c-support.aspx
Helpful - 0
547836 tn?1302832832
thanks so much for answering my question.  i hope the pharmacy is willing to comply.  

i surrounded my meds in the fridge with cold packs before i left just to make sure they keep their temps a little longer just in case power runs out.  but do you think they will keep the meds working for 3 days if the fridge stays unopened?  or is it too much of a risk to take to use the medication i still have in the fridge if it still looks fine?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
If your home area is now safe, or will be sometime today, perhaps you could arrange for a friend or relative to transfer your meds to somewhere that has power and hold them for you.

If not, then I would call the pharmacy and the respective help lines for each of the pharmaceutical companies and explain the situation. I'm pretty sure they will replace your meds if they remain without refrigeration past the requisite time. What happened to me in a similar situation -- meds shipped without adequate ice -- was that the drug manufactuer OK'd the free replacement and either shipped it directly to me or to my pharmacy, can't remember which.

Good news is that you have a 2 week supply with you and only 2 weeks in the fridge. Smart thinking taking two weeks with you. That gives you plenty of time to arrange for a two-week replacement should power stay out longer than is allowed. Still, I'd get on it ASAP since they will probably be getting plenty of calls from those in similar situations.

I think you should have every reason to believe this is going to work out fine so try not to stress too much over it.

-- Jim
Helpful - 0
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