I am in need of the least expensive IV supplies that I can find.

Have any of you come up with some good leads that I can check into?

Thanks in advance for any and all information!!!
Melanie

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Some things they couldn't supply us with, because some things needed to be instate. So we got those locally. I got the name of a local IV pharmacy suppliers by calling local oncologist (cancer doctor's offices and speaking to their nurses).

Some things our regular local pharmacy supplied, too.

It really pays to shop around for price, but then somethings, were just easier to just get ordered with the other stuff and have it come from less places for ease and convenience.

Hope this helps you!

Lynn LM

 

quote:

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Originally posted by Lynn Lymemom:
A year ago we finished using Infuserve America - out of FL - 1-800-886-9222 for 18 months prior to that. They were always very good to us. I got this name by another LD patient here on Lymenet. We liked their non battery - non electric pump (you just crank it) to get the even pressure to infuse her Rocephin.

Some things they couldn't supply us with, because some things needed to be instate. So we got those locally. I got the name of a local IV pharmacy suppliers by calling local oncologist (cancer doctor's offices and speaking to their nurses).

Some things our regular local pharmacy supplied, too.

Alcohol wipes were cheapest from our local bulk warehouse store ( Costco for us).

It really pays to shop around for price, but then somethings, were just easier to just get ordered with the other stuff and have it come from less places for ease and convenience.

Hope this helps you!

Lynn LM

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I suppose I could have been more specific...

I have been on IV meds now since early September, and have dealt with my homehealth care for all of the IV meds and supplies.
My first 5 months were on Rocephin, of which I qualified for the needy meds program...so all of that Rx was free from Roche.

I stopped the Rocephin and went onto IV Clinda in late December, and then added IV Zith about 3 weeks later.
Due to a severe die-off, I had to stop both meds for a month and a half to completely detox.

I then resumed IV Zith alone in mid March, and am now on both zith and clinda once again....and will remain on this combination for at least three more months.
Then, my doc will add in IV Levaquin to get at a Bart infection.

I have a triple lumen Hickman, so I end up using three times the normal flushes, etc. each day.

I stopped having the weekly nursing visits months ago...fearing that it was just getting way too expensive. As it turns out, it was worse than I had imagined.
My first bill from the homehealth care that I only recently received (and only for some of that time), was over $35,000. Yes, I do have some insurance, but it only covers 50%...

so, now, I am doing some comparison shopping to try to find the best outlets for all of the supplies, while I still have the homehealth care/ pharmacy mix and delivery the meds.

I know now, that I really should have been comparing prices all along, but at the time...I really was too ill to care...
and I couldn't get the homehealth care office to give any itemized bills showing what the costs were for each service, drug, and supply.

I am still working on this with their national billing company, but as most of you know, this is a painfully slow process.

I have been greatly blessed to have received a wonderful donation of supplies from the Rev awhile back...but these items are being used up quickly.

So...
What I need to find is an inexpensive outlet for all of the tubing, alcohol, dressing change kits, catheter tips, saline, and heparin.

Thank you so much Lynn LM for the Infuserve tip...I had looked into this awhile back when Cheryl sent the website to me...but, all I really saw was pricing for the meds, and not supplies, so, I didn't pursue that company. But, I will call them up now and see what they can do about supplies alone.

Hey there NE, hope the above info answered your question? How are you holding up dear one?

To the others that have emailed me privately...I appreciate you more than you can possibly know!

Love, M

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Also, got some other stuff to send when i'm not hobbling. As you know my iv supplies are so much different than yours being that i'm in a bubble, lol. I will see if the nurses at my company have any suggestions to check into cause i have to go there today - plus i'll steal a truckload for you (just kidding).

for clinda you need that tubing that hooks into the clinda and then you hook onto your line, right? I have no idea what thats called. Just trying to figure out all of the supplies you need - poor thing it is sooo much.

Good luck!
NE
 

Yes...I know my emails are all screwed up lately...couldn't possibly be anything that I did , now could it???

I am not 100% sure, but, I think that all of the needle-less (screw on type) supplies are universal in size???

The clear lines that connect the drip IV med bags to the cathetre are just called tubing as far as I can tell, so, you are correct there.

I know you are a bubble gal (lucky thing)...and those bubbles DID fit me...so, I am assuming that the rest would work with my lovely octopus as well...

I think my octopus needs a name...we have become so intimate now...

(did you get my email just this morning...or is it still in cyber-space somewhere?)

Love ya lots...hobble honey!

M

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Well, we just have to figure this out!

love,
NE

[This message has been edited by aaronkatie (edited 12 May 2004).]
 

Infuserve has been very good for us. I get Ryan's supplies through them. He is on the Roche plan for the meds..and they ship it to Doc J who ships to Infuserve, who mixes and bags it for us.

The supplies are VERY well priced, the owner is a very nice guy, and I deal with him (David) or Reenie..they can answer all your connection questions as well.

This is the company Doc J reccomends.

You can save on shipping if you don't get the meds shipped from them (box is weighty and has to be expressed)..but if you order supplies ahead of time, you can do UPS ground.

I also have a very comprehensive list from TXLM on how to order separately supplies in bulk..I couldn't get it together at the time to figure it all out..so I went to Infu-serve. If you want that info I can mail it to you snail style..

Mo
 

It is 34 degrees out right now, and we had some snow yesterday...
what does that have to do with this post?

Absolutley nothing...I'm just really cold over here !

Anyway...

NE, SO nice chatting with you yesterday! Thank you so much for the good news! You take good care of yourself this week doing all of those doc things, OK?

Miss Maureen, Thank you TOO for the additional information about Infuserve! I am definately calling them up to check out the pricing.
And, if you wouldn't mind...I would also love to have the information from TX Mom.

I will email my address to you this morning, OK? Hope things are going well with you and your precious ones!

Much love, M

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It was very nice chatting with you also. Sorry I did not have any great ideas about cheap supplies but I know you will find them.

Also Mo - if you are waiting on an email from Melanie just know that if she sends it this morning it won't get there for a day or two!

Melanie I do hope you have found a place for the supplies and I hope I am well enough soon to send the ones I have.

Have a wonderful day!
love,
NE