Anyone know of a place to get these shots? I only have three left. I need at least 12 more. Any ideas? 1.2 million. Thanks.
Posted by Jill E. (Member # 9121) on :
The 2.4 million units is much easier to get. Like you, I'm on the 1.2 million units and running out.
But when I checked with Costco and Sav-On in Southern California, they said they could get the 2.4 million units.
If you can get that dosage, talk to your LLMD about how to sanitarily split the dosage, or take them to a compounding pharmacy to split under sterile conditions.
I need to go through this very soon to try to get more, so I'll let you know if I'm successful.
I got one box by writing a pleading letter to the manufacturer and had to coordinate with a retail pharmacy and their wholesaler/distributor to get them to all work together.
I've had to pay full cash price for it - my insurance won't pay a dime.
I'm going to ask my LLMD for a prescription for the 2.4 million units next time and have the dosages split, because I don't think I can go through the months of stress again of trying to get the 1.2 million units.
Some northern California Lyme patients have been able to get it at Safeway's pharmacy, but when I checked with Von's - which is owned by the same company - they said they can't get it because they use different wholesalers.
Some people have better luck getting it through a hospital's pharmacy, but the medical clinic I go to can't get it, so I have to bring my own to their nurse to then inject me.
Good luck! Jill
Posted by tickedntx (Member # 5660) on :
It is possible that things have changed, but...
A year ago, I spent a lot of time researching this for my doc. Ultimately, King Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer, told me that if a pharmacy did not have Bicillin L-A in stock, and their wholesaler did not have it, to have the pharmacist instruct the wholesaler to call King, tell them it is needed for an emergency (and King confirmed that Lyme is deemed an "emergency"), and that King would ship.
I am traveling, but my pharmacy was in the process of doing this for me. Before leaving, the pharmacist confirmed that this was in the works, and it just remained to be seen whether King drop shipped to them, or shipped via the wholesaler.
Could be a whole nother ball of wax by the time I get back, but here's hoping.
Anyway, give these instructions to your pharmacist and see what happens.
Posted by timaca (Member # 6911) on :
Do what tickedntx suggested....have your pharmacy contact King Pharmacy and tell them you have lyme and you NEED the bicillin.
They should get it to you.
Timaca
Posted by fatigued15 (Member # 6437) on :
I recently had trouble finding this. I went to a small privately owned pharmacy and they were able to get a 3 month supply. Try the small pharmacies. They tend to look for it at more than one distributor.
Posted by Ms. Myoclonus (Member # 6750) on :
Hello, I agree with what everyone above said. I have had sucess through a locally owned pharmacy. Sometimes when I call they are unable to get it, but then I keep calling back and the whole saler may have a surprise shipment that day. (I have been told flat out they were unable to get it indefinitely and then called the next day and it was available.)
I have established a relationship with a pharmacist who understands the shortage and will call me when it comes in. Knowing someone at the pharmacy on a first name basis is very helpful as it is not so easy to get dismissed this way.