POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: Lisa on September 13, 2006, 08:22:36 am
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It has been awhile since I have reintroduced our med salvage program. We have grown so much, and new members are joining every day.
I have been running a little med salvage program here for a little over a year now. It is intended to be a bandaid program for people who find themselves in a bind, and for some reason are unable to acquire all, or a part of their meds.
If you are in need of a bottle of this or that, or you are somehow shortchanged for your meds then i would encourage you to contact me via PM.
The same goes for anyone who has surplus meds, because of changing your regime, or for any reason, then I would gleefully take them off your hands.
I'm only a PM away! :)
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Sorry Lisa, I had asked about this and then when I realized that my meds were from back in July of '05 and reached experation this July, I figured they would be no good for anyone. I figure I will just through them out. I am not sure why I am still holding them.
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Lisa,
Wow...what a great thing you have going here. You rock.
Franfrog,
I wouldn't just toss out those meds, of course there has to be an expiration date on them. I admittedly don't know much about HIV meds, but in a pinch, wouldn't they be better than NOT having any meds at all? Just wonderin'. Lisa might still be able to use them, if someone needed that med soon. Just a thought. Maybe I'm totally off base here.
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Hi Franfrog,
Before you throw the meds out, send them to Lisa, they can be of good use.
Have the BEST Day!
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I guess, I was thinking the same thing somewhere deep down that is why I have not thrown them away. I pm Lisa, I guess she will let me know.
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most medications really don't 'expire' like milk by their expiration date. They can be extremely valuable to people who can't afford them.
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Thank you Lisa for helping the needy ones. And the foreigners sneeking into the country without meds....
Love you
Hermie
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Lisa...after we get past the holidays and are able to deal with our friends "things"....including his unused meds.....I will let you know what we have to offer.
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bump
and hey, any Canadians reading this, pm me about starting something similar up here!
we get our drugs FAR cheaper than americans and we might be able to help!
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Not trying to bum anyone out or start anything but are you sure this is legal? I use to offer my leftovers to a clinic here in Houston and to my Dr. who worked there and they could not do it.
If someone could prove they got sick from the drugs,the suppliers could be liable. These are not over the counter meds.
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Jack I do believe they are just offering fill ins for people like myself who face possible interruptions with their meds. It's not like Lisa is diagnosing people and determining what they should take. The program is just an emergency fill in.
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providing prescription medications unless you are a qualified doctor is never legal. Neither is sharing your prescription medications, no matter what they are precribed for. Pulling the plug on someone in a permanent vegetative state is also not technically legal but we still do it because it's the right thing to do. Anal sex is illegal in dozens of US states, that doesn't make the act itself wrong. freedom of speech is illegal in many parts of the world and I would argue that those laws are entirely unjust.
No one here is under any misconceptions about the legality of sharing their meds, but I would ask why it isn't illegal that people have to sit on ADAP waiting lists, possibly with life ending consequences. Sometimes, we as a community need to take things into our own hands. If I have excess of something that someone else has also been prescribed (it's not like mine are going to be any different from theirs) and they find themselves in a situation where they temporarily can't get anymore, possibly putting their life at risk, I would say screw that law. We have the ability to help each other when governments so often fail. The past 25 years have shown that we are the only people who can really look out for us.
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I know what Lisa is doing and I understand why she is doing it. I just wouldnt be advertising it. I have been taking these fucking meds for over 20 fucking years and I have offered leftover meds and been told not to do it for the obvious reasons. Dont get pissed at me, I am just saying you need to be very careful handing out perscription drugs,no matter how well intentioned you are.
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I agree, but if you were offering them to official agencies, of course they would tell you no.
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Jake,
I don't think anyones mad at ya. All I know is I am grateful for it.. I did not have any other options.
Thomas
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You don't seem to understand where i am coming from. It is Lisa who is at risk for distributing prescription drugs without a licence. Any person getting drugs from her could sue her for damages should they have some type of reaction or problem. I guess the person donating the drugs would also be open to damages.
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Jack,
Shh already! Don't you think Lisa is well aware of all that? Sometimes needs must. OK? How else are people going to know where to go when every other avenue has been exhausted? It has to be mentioned now and then.
Maybe you could ask her for a couple tabs of valium. ;)
Ann
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Well Jack I won't be one of those... as soon as I placed the bottles on my counter only my heart realized where they came from. If anyone is afraid of helping someone through this program just mail em to me... I'll be the middle man.
Jack all I know is Lisa is a life saver to me right now..... she has put my mind at rest with her loving help! Why not take some of this energy you have in putting an end to this and go lobby for better ADAP regulations or something.
My god the negativity!
You might mean well here I don't know... just keep in mind the world is sometimes not logical. Don't take offense Jack, but sometimes things are best just left alone...
Thomas
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Oh sue me. My ASO redistributes meds all the time.
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Tom, I'm really happy things worked out for you!!
And Jack, What feels better for your soul? a trip to Europe, or helping another human in need.. I give my extra meds to a church group that goes to Africa... am i a fugitive????
lighten up G man!!
love lis
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Maybe you could ask her for a couple tabs of valium. ;)
LOL. Though I'm sure as part of due diligence, Lisa does not accept these kinds of meds, or any other scheduled meds for that matter.
Go easy on Jack. I don't think he intends to put an end to the program, just voicing some caution. But these calculated risks and mitigating steps have been thought of.
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Hey Lisa,
What you are doing is a true definition of HELPING others. When all avenues have been exhausted, it is a blessing to be able to have you as a source to come to for assistance.
Jack, you do have a point as Gerry has mentioned. However, why let the meds go to waste when they can be used to HELP others when their back is against the wall?
Happy Holidays!
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LOL. Though I'm sure as part of due diligence, Lisa does not accept these kinds of meds, or any other scheduled meds for that matter.
Hey Gerry, thanks for adding the disclaimer! I was being a facetious bad girl and forgot to make that clear.
Can you say facetious fish five times fast?
LOL
Ann
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I know what Lisa is doing and I understand why she is doing it. I just wouldnt be advertising it. I have been taking these fucking meds for over 20 fucking years and I have offered leftover meds and been told not to do it for the obvious reasons. Dont get pissed at me, I am just saying you need to be very careful handing out perscription drugs,no matter how well intentioned you are.
Lisa should consider including a simple statement with each care package, reminding the receiver that they do so only at their own risk AND that they should consult their physician before utilizing the meds.
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Well, I'm so honored to be remembered.
I was well aware of the risks involved with going public about this program here. I figure the worst that would happen is that I wouldn't be able to watch all of my favorite cable programs in prison, and I wouldn't have my own refrigerator any more.
I appreciate Jake's concern, but I knew what I was getting into at the genesis of this program. I am just not worried about it. I often felt so helpless when I saw some of our own community members writing horror stories of running out of their meds, and having no real resource to turn to.
When my partner in crime came to me with this idea, I was elated to be the front man.
I think it is important that we look out for each other,,because it seems we are increasingly becoming a "back burner" issue.
Who else would understand how incredibly stressful it is to be near the end of the pills in the bottle, and know you don't have any way of getting another bottle to cover you until your ADAP comes through, or your ASO/clinic can scare some up?
We all know what a toll stress takes on our bodies, especially when your virus isn't under control.
I just wish I could do more.
If you find yourself switching meds, and have a bottle or two to share...remember our community.
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Lisa, Do you have valium?
A trip to Europe or helping another human being? Hmmmm. Thats a tough one. I guess I would want to do both,as long as helping the other human doesnt interfere with my travel plans. Just kidding. We are spending Christmas Day serving dinner to some bums(homeless people) downtown. We are also buying presents for a couple of families. Sorry I dont have any hIV drugs leftover.
I guess I am too cautious. I can tell you that a couple of buddies of mine who are doctors will no longer fill me scripts of any kind(vicaden) cause the feds are really cracking down on the whole system.
Its sorta of humorous that the same people who bitch a me when I tell people from outside the USA to just put their HIV meds in containers for other meds and just dont tell anyone you are hiv pos when entering the US see no problem with distributing prescription drugs. But you all are right it really isnt that big a deal. I have been around a long time and I always get caught when I do anything the slightest bit shady. I am the asshole who puts on his brakes 100 feet from a green light,just in case its about to change and the guy who is going 24mph in a 25mph only because I am the loser who gets arrested for going 26mph.
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I know what you mean Jake... the world has it out for me too. I am one of those who get caught and will scream "hey what about them over there!". It's a conspiracy I tell you. I am just glad I was born after the Kennedy assasination because they would have pinned that on me too.
Just so everyone knows I have absolutely nothing to do with Castro's illness..
Thomas
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lifes a bitch then you die. its raining today in Houston and yesterday Vince put a stake through the heart of the city and depression is thick in the air. give me some fucking serenity,please.
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keep up the good work, people taking these meds will know what to do, and know what they look like, so they can decide to use them or not. i can't imagine being out of meds, if i was i would surley get them wherever i could.
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Lisa,
I think it's great what you do and obviously to you it's worth the risk. Even if you did get caught, what judge would want to give you time for trying to do a good thing? Especially if it was a re-election year.. ;)
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Hee hee! You all make me laugh so much!!!
Lisa...
"I often felt so helpless when I saw some of our own community members writing horror stories of running out of their meds, and having no real resource to turn to.
When my partner in crime came to me with this idea, I was elated to be the front man.
I think it is important that we look out for each other,,because it seems we are increasingly becoming a "back burner" issue.
Who else would understand how incredibly stressful it is to be near the end of the pills in the bottle, and know you don't have any way of getting another bottle to cover you until your ADAP comes through, or your ASO/clinic can scare some up?"
I love you, you sweet, sweet, beautiful person!!!
Drew
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I am continually in awe of the caring of this community.
Just since this thread has been bandied about for the last week or so, I have received several more donations from members.
To all of the really great folks who have taken the time, and effort out of their day to send off these packages of love, I salute each one of you.
I would also like to remind everyone that this program is in place for a necessary purpose. If you find yourself in need of a bottle or two of something to get you to your mail order program, or next med fill, I am only a PM away.
If no one else will look out for us, we can look out for each other.
All of YOU, ARE the miracle.
Love,
Lisa
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Well, you certainly are a miracle!
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:D
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They're in the mail sweetheart..........( not to sound like a cliche')
I commend you for helping those who can't afford their med's. You're a great big ole sweetie!
and I love ya :-*
Happy Holidays Sweetcheeks :P
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I recently changed my meds and have usued meds from my prior regimine. Where can I send these for others in need can use them?
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i was referred to this thread because i had some left over meds from my previous regime..
one thing i thought about is, what are you going to do with only a handfull of pills? (5-10pills) i mean, someone who's using these meds NEEDS to keep taking them on a CONTINUAL basis. you can't stop all of a sudden. if you stop or miss doses it causes resistance. maybe more damage than good might be done. how can you ensure that whoever is needing these meds keep getting them on a continual basis?
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Lisa....I've said it before and I'll say it again.....
I think its great that you're there for those in a pinch who desperately need the meds. God knows I've been party
to your crime. Keep up the good work, fair lady.
I'd walk a mile for a camel....well I'd walk five miles for you!
Lisa is my hero! :-*
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Schnitzer,
It can be important for people like me, who are on meds , but do not want to take their drugs into the US upon visiting from a foreign country.
Sometimes I only need drugs for 5 days.
Thank you Lisa for that wonderfull job.
Hermie :-*
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Bumpaliciously Delicious
This thread shoudl be stickied at the top of the Living With forum. Just sayin'
Dan J.
My HIV doctors office sends extra meds to Lisa when they have them. Is that wrong of them? I don't think so. It is better than throwing them away.
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bump...because it's immensely satisfying to bump this thread.
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I just threw out a bunch of my partner's old meds. But they had expired. He stopped taking them (and on a new regime now) so they sat there for awhile.
For future reference.....should I not be throwing out the expired meds??
Steven
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I'm glad this thread is getting the attention it needs....I'm not on hiv meds at the moment but it's good to know that you're there. My ID doc's office sends meds to Africa. Wishes someone would do this for diabetic meds but I know that's a whole different ball game.
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Pozinbama--taking expired meds isn't recommended no matter what kind of meds they are, so I think you did the right thing in tossing them.
To anyone--so how does this med salvage thing work? My aplogies if it is in this thread, because I might have missed it while skimming. I had sent my meds to another organization, so if I get extra again I will definitely keep this in mind now that I know about this.
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To anyone--so how does this med salvage thing work?
Send a PM to Lisa (the person who started this thread) and all will be revealed.
Ann
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I doubt if this can be stickied considering its controversial nature...
...but i'd bump it nonetheless.
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We try to keep the stickied treads down to a minimum. Otherwise, they'd start pushing everything else too far down from the top.
I'll go back and delete some of the "bump" posts, so the thread doesn't become too long.
Ann
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Lisa, I need to know where to send the pills.I know you will put them to good use,here in America.
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I love Lisa and I want her to stay out of jail too. This is a risky thing to do but I applaud her for doing it. Can we not get pharma companies to actually participate in this?
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I think what Lisa does is great too. I am wondering though is this only hiv meds she takes or diabetic meds too. I have some metformin I don't need anymore.
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Time for a bump.
Does Lisa have a computer running now? If not, seems she would need one to handle this med salvage thing.
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I threw the metformin away. I think Lisa's computer is fine except for when she logs on here. I have her on my Yahoo list, would you like me to ask her or do you have a way to reach her?
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Thanks Miz Queen....I have her email ....so I should try communicating with her that way?
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Thanks Miz Queen....I have her email ....so I should try communicating with her that way?
I am sure you could probably reach her by email.
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:)
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Time for a bump.
Does Lisa have a computer running now? If not, seems she would need one to handle this med salvage thing.
Based on my own conversation with Lisa, Queen is correct in that it seems to be only the AIDSmeds site that she has difficulties with. I would send her an email if you need to reach her.
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If Iggy or Jerry could ask her what the specific issues are when she tries to visit the forums, we could try to help her diagnose the issue. If she can visit all other websites except our forums, then I can only think of two possibilities -- her forums cookie is corrupted in some way, or her IP address got caught up in one of our bans on another member. But if she could tell us what kind of error message she gets, or some sort of description of what happens when she attempts to post here, that would help us a lot.
Peter
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Peter,
I had already sent a pm to Tim Horn about my thoughts and he asked one of your IT guys to get in touch with me.
I did though copy and paste your post and sent to Lisa via email and asked her if she could give me as much detail as possible, as well as to forward your suggestion about the cookie.