General Discussion

demtenjeep

(31,997 posts) Fri Nov 3, 2017, 09:46 PM Nov 2017

Did you know that the USA is suffering from a Saline shortage due to the PR hurricane?

I get chemo/infusion every 5 weeks. Have been doing this for 9 years. Usually they start a saline drip then add the medicine after it gets started. Today, they mixed a smaller bag with med/saline and told everyone there is a serious shortage of saline and they had been instructed to mix it like this to conserve their supply.

The nurse said the saline plant in PR has totally been destroyed and the USA only has one so every state, every hospital, every chemo clinic-they are ALL dealing with this shortage but the number of people needing it is growing.

This could get really seriously scary really fast

19 replies

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Did you know that the USA is suffering from a Saline shortage due to the PR hurricane? (Original Post) demtenjeep Nov 2017 OP

I think Merck has a plant there GusBob Nov 2017 #1

Interesting. greatauntoftriplets Nov 2017 #2

Are they starting you out on the loading doses? demtenjeep Nov 2017 #4

Yes, I'm having three infusions between now and Christmas. greatauntoftriplets Nov 2017 #8

Mine started when I was in hospital for 18 days. demtenjeep Nov 2017 #9

No, they tested me for TB and hepatitis. greatauntoftriplets Nov 2017 #11

I started at 8 weeks, then 6 and now 5 but doc wants 4 weeks-insurance said no demtenjeep Nov 2017 #10

I am on the strongest amount allowed for my weight and also given a steroid to help it last demtenjeep Nov 2017 #12

This message was self-deleted by its author WinkyDink Nov 2017 #3

The 1% can fly supplies in from out of the country or leave the country for treatment. rzemanfl Nov 2017 #6

This message was self-deleted by its author WinkyDink Nov 2017 #15

My son-in-law did a residency at the Cleveland Clinic so I know that. What I was trying to say rzemanfl Nov 2017 #19

Peurto Rico is in the middle of a BIG ocean, don't you know, and oceans are MADE of saline. Binkie The Clown Nov 2017 #5

Looks like they are importing from Ireland and Australia during shortage, Hoyt Nov 2017 #7

I remember when pharmaceuticals were made in the USA FakeNoose Nov 2017 #13

Remember, Puerto Rico is in the USA. SharonAnn Nov 2017 #17

Sounds Like Someone ... DoctorJoJo Nov 2017 #14

I know I made saline solution recently to clean a wound on a pet. Maybe there are Kirk Lover Nov 2017 #18

This is going to affect lots of medications ... PR has lots of drug plants because of tax breaks ... eppur_se_muova Nov 2017 #16

GusBob

(7,286 posts)

1. I think Merck has a plant there

Reply to demtenjeep (Original post)

Fri Nov 3, 2017, 09:47 PM

Nov 2017

My mom can't get her eyedrops right now

greatauntoftriplets

(175,776 posts)

2. Interesting.

Reply to demtenjeep (Original post)

Fri Nov 3, 2017, 09:49 PM

Nov 2017

I'm having my first Remicade infusion on Tuesday and will have to pay attention to that detail. Thanks for the heads up.

demtenjeep

(31,997 posts)

4. Are they starting you out on the loading doses?

Reply to greatauntoftriplets (Reply #2)

Fri Nov 3, 2017, 09:52 PM

Nov 2017

My nurse said she is really afraid they will be forced to stop infusions when there is no more saline...can't do Remicade without it.

If you have any ? ask...been at this for 9 years.

I have to take Tylenol and Beneydril before because of possible side effects. There is a choice of Beneydril or Allegra.

greatauntoftriplets

(175,776 posts)

8. Yes, I'm having three infusions between now and Christmas.

Reply to demtenjeep (Reply #4)

Fri Nov 3, 2017, 10:02 PM

Nov 2017

Then I start the every eight week cycle. I've had it all explained pretty well, but will ask you if I have additional questions. I just made the first three appointments yesterday, and the person I talked to didn't mention saline issues.

They're giving it to me for what is termed an "off-label" use, which means it's not one of the usual diseases that Remicade is prescribed for. It's been a battle for me to get it, so I hope the infusions don't have to stop because of the saline shortage.

demtenjeep

(31,997 posts)

9. Mine started when I was in hospital for 18 days.

Reply to greatauntoftriplets (Reply #8)

Fri Nov 3, 2017, 10:12 PM

Nov 2017

Did you have to have a TB test?

I was really scared at first especially when they talked about losing my immune system and that I had to be careful.

DO not get infusions if you are even a tiny bit sick. A simple cold could turn in to pneumonia after an infusion.

greatauntoftriplets

(175,776 posts)

11. No, they tested me for TB and hepatitis.

Reply to demtenjeep (Reply #9)

Fri Nov 3, 2017, 10:15 PM

Nov 2017

Thanks for the warning about not having them if I'm sick.

demtenjeep

(31,997 posts)

10. I started at 8 weeks, then 6 and now 5 but doc wants 4 weeks-insurance said no

Reply to greatauntoftriplets (Reply #8)

Fri Nov 3, 2017, 10:14 PM

Nov 2017

so now I have to keep a daily log of my bathroom habits and every little ache and pain

demtenjeep

(31,997 posts)

12. I am on the strongest amount allowed for my weight and also given a steroid to help it last

Reply to demtenjeep (Reply #10)

Fri Nov 3, 2017, 10:36 PM

Nov 2017

it is serious business

Response to demtenjeep (Original post)

WinkyDink This message was self-deleted by its author.

rzemanfl

(29,588 posts)

6. The 1% can fly supplies in from out of the country or leave the country for treatment.

Reply to WinkyDink (Reply #3)

Fri Nov 3, 2017, 09:59 PM

Nov 2017

Drawing you a desk to pound your fist on.

Response to rzemanfl (Reply #6)

WinkyDink This message was self-deleted by its author.

rzemanfl

(29,588 posts)

19. My son-in-law did a residency at the Cleveland Clinic so I know that. What I was trying to say

Reply to WinkyDink (Reply #15)

Sat Nov 4, 2017, 11:43 AM

Nov 2017

is if the 1% need something, they will get it.

Binkie The Clown

(7,911 posts)

5. Peurto Rico is in the middle of a BIG ocean, don't you know, and oceans are MADE of saline.

Reply to demtenjeep (Original post)

Fri Nov 3, 2017, 09:58 PM

Nov 2017

Or so Trump would tell us.

Hoyt

(54,770 posts)

7. Looks like they are importing from Ireland and Australia during shortage,

Reply to demtenjeep (Original post)

Fri Nov 3, 2017, 10:01 PM

Nov 2017

and taking other steps.

http://www.raps.org/Regulatory-Focus/News/2017/10/11/28653/FDA-Allows-Temporary-Saline-Imports-to-Deal-With-Shortages-Caused-by-Hurricane-Maria/

FakeNoose

(32,917 posts)

13. I remember when pharmaceuticals were made in the USA

Reply to demtenjeep (Original post)

Sat Nov 4, 2017, 12:46 AM

Nov 2017

We didn't used to outsource these, we made them right here. It wasn't that long ago either.
Now that the pharmaceuticals all have to make humongous profits, everything is made in other countries, mostly third-world.

Just sayin'

SharonAnn

(13,782 posts)

17. Remember, Puerto Rico is in the USA.

Reply to FakeNoose (Reply #13)

Sat Nov 4, 2017, 11:26 AM

Nov 2017

DoctorJoJo

(1,134 posts)

14. Sounds Like Someone ...

Reply to demtenjeep (Original post)

Sat Nov 4, 2017, 12:55 AM

Nov 2017

.... could make a bundle with some distilled water and a salt shaker!

Kirk Lover

(3,608 posts)

18. I know I made saline solution recently to clean a wound on a pet. Maybe there are

Reply to DoctorJoJo (Reply #14)

Sat Nov 4, 2017, 11:30 AM

Nov 2017

differences?

eppur_se_muova

(36,317 posts)

16. This is going to affect lots of medications ... PR has lots of drug plants because of tax breaks ...

Reply to demtenjeep (Original post)

Sat Nov 4, 2017, 10:12 AM

Nov 2017

when drug companies built factories in PR. Now those breaks have been repealed, which would seem to leave little incentive to rebuild the factories. Probably the replacements will end up coming from China.

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