I may have a condition that requires perscription drugs to live.

Ain't life grand.

Well, the tests aren't back yet, but the doctor thinks I'm uck-fayed. (so much for clean living.)

So, let's get down to cases. I'm the only GI in my extended family. This includes sisters, brothers, in-laws, out-laws, friends, what have you. The wife-ski supports the preps, but she doesn't want to know anything about my delusions of disruptions. So she won't learn anything usefull until it's about too late. (at least she can shoot.)

I have the supplies. I even have the books on what to do with them. The problem is, IF I'm a goner without meds, how do I get someone to read all this and learn all the skills needed to survive a worst case scenario. My first thought was to find another GI I can trust and make a deal with them, they get my supplies and equipment if they take on AND TRAIN my dependants. ( I have ONE possibility before I have to go public.) This means letting the cat out of the bag as far as me having supplies, and as we all know, "they won't prepare, but they'll remember".

This is great! I figured out how to take care of everyone under every scenario....except for the one where I die. The jokes on me. (Boy, do I feel stupid. This flaw in the plans was so obvious!)

And now that I think about it, here's a contingency that you may have missed. This is kind of like appointing a designated driver, but the qualifications are more stringent. Who takes care of yours if circumstances take care of you?

Watch six and keep your...

-- eyes_open (best@wishes.not), October 27, 1999

Answers

Tell your wife, take care of yourself and she will wing it on her own because she will have to. Good Luck.

-- ~~~~ (~~~@~~~.com), October 27, 1999.

Doctors can be wrong ... sure hope yours is. I have always watched for your posts as you say very thought-provoking things. I'll bet you have said similar things around your family and that they have retained more than you believe.

Anyway, if TSHTF and you are not around, I can about guarantee that your family will get eye-strain from reading those books! With supplies to work from, they will still be ahead of most.

Now go out and round up the meds you need and hang around to put the polish on their learning!

-- Gypsy (GypsiGold@aol.com), October 27, 1999.

eyes_open

If your doc GIs, then get as much of the drugs as you can.

You can still survive several months after TSHTF...long enough to teach your ungrateful dependents how to survive the rest.

They'll have to learn some on their own anyway.

Best wishes.

-- nothere nothere (notherethere@hotmail.com), October 27, 1999.

Dear Mr. eyes_open,

Please e-mail me a real address so I can communicate with you.

-- Sharon L (sharonl@volcano.net), October 27, 1999.

Unless your neighbor is a GI, there's no obvious designated driver. Other people who GI will have their own location and family to worry about. There's no point in telling a DGI, as you pointed out.

Stocking up on meds buys you time. This may not play out as badly as you have planned for, or the solution may become more obvious several months after rollover.

Hang tough, and lay low.

-- Dog Gone (layinglow@rollover.now), October 27, 1999.

Grand Cayman Island is a place where you may be able to buy prescription drugs that they sell as over the counter drugs without a prescription and a whole lot cheaper.A few years ago,we had purchased some there while visiting.

Under trying times people surprise even themselves of what they are capable of doing.I'm sure your wife and you have alot of inner strength that will come to the fore when needed.

-- Maggie (aaa@aaa.com), October 27, 1999.

eyes_open,

Talk to your doctor, if indeed the results prove positive that you must take the medication. Tell your doctor your concerns and fears. I am sure doctors are hearing this from many people.

If your doctor is a doctor that cares, he will write the perscription that will "double" the dosage. That way, when you purchase the medication, you only take half of what is called for and hold the other half back. You may not have time to build up much, but it is something. Then if things turn out well, he can adjust the dosage back down when he rewrites the perscription.

Talk to him.

-- (cannot-say@this.time), October 27, 1999.

Email me.

-- Stephen C. Roberts, M.D. (rbtrout1@hotmail.com), October 27, 1999.

Wow. That was quick. First let me speak to those who have requested an Email.

Ever since I saw the bulldozers at Waco pushing the parts of the building back into the fire I have been at a loss to think of something that couldn't possibly be within the governments bag of tricks. So, really, even though I feel really foolish typing this, I am rather paranoid about what information I give out and to whom. When all the cards are on the table I may deciede to risk my identity, but not until then. I DO appreciate a willingness to get personally involved on the part of Dr. Roberts and Sharon. I really do. You may get my Email address yet.

Everyone else has given some sensible advice. Buying time to guide my dependants through the crisis with extra med's is a great idea.

I will be talking to the the one GI I know who is in a position to take in my brood soon, so I know where I'll stand in that regard.

I'm in pretty good shape emotionally because I think the chances of TEOTWAWKI are pretty slim. But, how did someone so eloquently put it recently, I may be a class three person.

But remember to put yourselves in my shoes if you hadn't thought of this already. Do you have a replacement? A designated driver(DD)? It's alot cheaper to go to school on my dime. Make the most of it.

Watch six and keep your...

-- eyes_open (best@wishes.not), October 27, 1999.

Eyes,

Setup yourself up with a yahoo mail account and let these good folks try to help you. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Your first responsibility is to your family and you cannot help them if you are dead.

Do the right thing and God Bless.

Roland

-- Roland (nottelling@nowhere.com), October 27, 1999.

eyes_open

E-mail me.

-- wake up (alarmclock_2000@yahoo.com), October 27, 1999.

My e-mail should have read: alarmclock_2000@yahoo.com

-- wake up (alarmclock_2000@yahoo.com), October 27, 1999.

Eyes,

The DH in my house also found himself in a prescription-drug-dependent position this year, after becoming a GI. We talked to his doctor and without even flinching he wrote a prescription for a six month supply. That will get us to March; we'll have to deal with whatever happens after then.

The next hurdle is getting the insurance company to pay for the prescription. At this late date, you can't play the "buy a refill every 21 days" routine, which is what I"ve been doing with our prescription drugs. Basically, you find out how often the ins. co. will pay for the meds. Ex: if it's a monthly supply, they'll usually pay for you to get a refill every 21 days, but not one day before. I then calendar it and call in a refill on the 21st day. On my last 21 day refill in December, I'll pick up the remainder of the prescription and just pay regular price. Or, if I"m organized enough at that point, I'll buy it in bulk through drugstore.com or planetrx.com and have my prescription transfered.

Good luck. I wouldn't worry so much about the wife. Stress can wreak havoc on your health and there are too many unknowns at this point. Just do what you can, and talk to your doctor about your concerns.

Jeannie

-- jhollander (hollander@ij.net), October 27, 1999.

Set yourself up a email at iwon.com, you don't need to put any other email addy down, like with yahoo. Best wishes to you!

-- CAT (carl&teri@iwon.com), October 27, 1999.

EO, I was a couple of months into the GI thing when I was diagnsed with Type II diabetes. My doctor read me the riot act about taking good care of myself so that I could prolong (not avoid) the advent of organ breakdown, limb amputations, nerve damage, blindness, and all the other fatal conditions to which diabetics eventually succumb. (75% of diabetics die of heart disease.)

Sweetie is brilliant with computers (and airplanes) but not very practical. I'm the one who's always done the plumbing repairs, carpentry, and other "handyman" jobs. And I've always acted as the Household Administrative Assistant. It's my main worry too--who takes care of Sweetie and the menagerie if something happens to me?

You label everything! And you take one of those accordion files and file all the manuals that came with the driller-driver, the new light fixtures (so she can see how easy it is to install one), the vacuum cleaner, the Coleman camp stove, the solar battery charger, etc., etc. When you've done all that, you can just relax, enjoy life, and continue to follow your doctor's instructions. Also read everything you can find on the Net about your condition. Don't believe *every*thing, of course, but read it anyway.

If your doctor won't prescribe extra medication, even if you pay for it yourself, find another doctor quickly. A doctor who will discount any fears you have after just being diagnosed with a life-threatening condition is, IM-not-so-HO, not acting in your best interest.

BTW, I have corresponded with Sharon L and I urge you to contact her. Perhaps Chuck will not mind acting as go-between, if that's what you prefer.

P.S. Just in case you haven't been following, 80% of all pharmaceutical ingredients come from overseas. In fact, your medication itself might be made in a foreign country--mine is. Stock up in whatever way you can.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), October 27, 1999.

Oh, eyes_open, I'm so sorry to hear your news, and so moved by your response to it. My family/friends/co-workers are all DGI, too; I would be asking myself exactly the same questions you're asking if I were wearing the same kind of shoes.

First, I would think of some way to answer those offers of private assistance that would safeguard my identity. The yahoo account was a good idea. Set it up from the machine at the public library. If it turns out that your condition requires the drugs, just make up your mind to get them.

Personally, if it were me, I would tell my husband. First. And ONLY him, for a brief while. I would shamelessly use every means of manipulation at my disposal--starting with the simple truth, as clearly as I could say it, and then stepping down as far as necessary from there--to make him promise to spend all the time we had available letting me teach him everything I can, including outlining how to learn the rest.

I would make this medical condition my ally, using it to my advantage in every possible way, to prepare my family the difficult road ahead, knowing they might have to walk it without my guiding presence or my aid. I would be sure to create with them some wonderful memories.

I think that a year from now, many will be walking without their beloved companions, eyes_open. It would be wise for all of us to discuss this possibility with our mates. Please know that you will be in my prayers as you wait for your results. Thanks for the many times your posts have strengthened my resolve.

Sincere best wishes.

-- Faith Weaver (suzsolutions@yahoo.com), October 27, 1999.

When my father died after a long bout with leukemia. Everything he could do had been done. Everything in it's place. Every thing in the best possible place to be found and used or learned from. It was amazing, he spent what time he had making all ready for those who would follow behind. I learned about my father (step-father actually) and by studying what he had done and trying to figure out why he did it, I learned the things I felt he wanted me to understand. Most importantly I learned how much he loved the rest of us.

Others have said that you will be able to put the polish on what you have already told them, you very probably will. The best (IMO) description of what is to come is the 100 day report, exec summary. If that report is true, you should have time. When people see the direction of things they will be more willing to listen.

eyes, I wish I could say or do something. I guess we all do it is natural to feel that way. I am a believer, take this for what it is worth, for it is small consolation in this world to be told of the other, but there is a God. He does love you. His plan is vastly beyone our comprehension but it is based upon love. We won't understand it. We won't always like it, but it will still be based upon the same love you feel for your children.

Please don't take offense. I am not prosthelytizing here. I seek to comfort. Also, sometimes the simplest things seem to help. Churchill (in the midst of tragedy and doom) said, "Never quit! Never quit! Never quit!" Once there was a child who was forced to sit down by her mother. In her defiance she told her mom, "I may be sitting on the outside but I am standing on the inside!"

So my friend, as my father did, never quit. When and IF it consumes you, let it consume you with your face looking forward and standing up.

I am saddened.

-- (...@.......), October 27, 1999.

EO,

You might be surprised how much your awareness about the challenges/dangers ahead may have rubbed off on your loved ones when you weren't looking.

It might be somewhat akin to a kaleidoscope. Circumstances turn the contraption just an inth of a degree, and the entire picture changes. I suspect that your intimate ones may have heard you more than you know, even if you've been subtle about it.

Not that it matters, but just so you know, I, too, have always read your posts with interest.

-- (resigned@this.point), October 27, 1999.

Research it on the internet and local library. Many conditions, such as adult onset diabetes and others can have their natural course modified significantly by dietary and lifestyle changes. With these conditions, as most people don't like to modify their lifestyle the tendency on the part of physicians is to hit the patient over the head with a sledgehammer as it were regarding the serious of the condition in hopes of effecting lifestyle modification. Second, many terminal conditions have interventions which alter mortality only a few percentage points to not at all, but unfortunately its all that's available. Such interventions can eave the person utterly dibilitated for a significant portion of their remaining time on earth, the so called "quality of life debate". Third, some conditions, such as atrial fibrillation, have interventions which slow the progression of complications, but with serious side effects. Coumadin a strong blood thinner, decreases by half the risk someone would have a stroke. Well, if you mention that the baseline risk is 2%/annum and on coumadin it is then 1% per annum it no longer sounds so critical to be on coumadin (esp. when other blood thinners like aspirin are available though less effective). You could even present the same data above as if you treated 100 people for a year with counadin you would prevent one stroke. Said like that who would want to be one couamdin, with its terrible side effect of potential serious bleeding. Again the important thing is to do some research and talk with people. Finally some conditions are serious and can be held in check with chronic admistration of medication. Many individuals on long term anti-biotic use fit this profile as do insulin requiring diabetics. Well, for what its worth, if you have access to a military health care facility, they generally dispense or are willing to dispense medications in larger than one month supplies.

-- PD (@@@.2@@@), October 27, 1999.

EO, I agree with those who say there might be other answers. Try to get whatever meds you need, but if you don't, there might be good herbal replacements or alternative approaches to your condition. Everything can be healed!!! I truly believe that. If you don't like what one doctor says, go to another one.

Your family members have some inner resources, too--trust in that a little bit. You don't have to do it all.

Very, very best wishes. God bless. Let us know.

-- Mara (MaraWayne@aol.com), October 27, 1999.

1) Drugs. I also have a condition that requires prescription drugs (daily). I have been stocking up a little at a time...but may only have an extra month or two supply at rollover. Remember to go in at 22-24 days instead of 30 for refills. With the remaining time, you may not be able to build much of a cushion, but at least you should be able to build some...

2) Drugs. Look for alternatives or even other non-prescription drugs that enhance the effect of a partial dosage. If TEITRAH, (in my case) I can try taking another drug with a partial dose of the prescription...but the effects are uncertain. But if there is no choice, I'd go that route.

3) Consider buying some store of drugs in a foreign country. There were previous threads on this topic.

4) You don't mention where you are... We, for example, will probably be taking in stranded tourists and other strays. This is not just for Y2K, but a helping hand extended to whoever needs it. I may find 1-3 additional people staying with us tonight. I'll know when I get home.

5) Consider GI members of your church. They would be my best backup.

-- Mad Monk (madmonk@hawaiian.net), October 27, 1999.

Good News!

I posted a news item to this forum just days ago requesting replies on the subject of Americans being able to get their RX drugs mailed in FROM OUTSIDE THE USA LEGALLY. This was due to an e-mail I received.

Apparently, there is no limit to the amount, and the prices are VERY cheap compared to domestic US prices.

On the topics FORUM page, scroll down past all the posts to the TOPICS.There you will see HEALTH/MEDICINE. Select that , and you will get back a bullet list.

Mine is in the first half dozen from the top, and is called "real or scam...?"

There you will find all the details of how to get the info, and some replies from posters who said that this is REAL...THEY GOT THEIR DRUGS.

You will have to take THEIR word for it, unless even more post on this. I am a Canadian, and cannot make use of the information.

Also, not sure if it's good for ALL the USA, or just the contiguous 48 states?

Just very quickly, the last e-mail I got just a week ago said they are keeping this open UNTIL NOV 15 ONLY.

Also, the procedure for getting the info is all in the post, but the bottom line is that the info will cost you us$149 !THEN you have to find out if your drug(s) are available under this scheme. I do believe it's due to a loophole in either the USPS or FDA laws, or something.

Good luck in your siuation. People are depending on you!

-- profit of doom (doom@helltopay.ca), October 27, 1999.

Have a look through the Raintree site -- Wealth of the Rainforest

and especially

Chanca Piedra (Phyllanthus niruri)

Una de Gato (Uncaria tomentosa, U. guianensis)

These are not controlled substances. Raintree is located in Austin, Texas.

-- Tom Carey (tomcarey@mindspring.com), October 28, 1999.

In March I found out I had a brain tumor. I bought a computer in order to research brain tumors. Instead, I found Y2K. Some fun, huh? So the brain tumor has been a blessing. It has let me learn a lot more about what else I need to be prepared for.

The thing is, if your tests are not in, the jury is still out. If the tests come back bad, you may eventually get more information through research that will help you. Always think positive. Fight for every day. Fight for every perspective that keeps you on top.

I am sorry that you and I must be anonymous. I too would like to email you and give you some support. Perhaps we will meet in the forum chatroom at some point and build some trust. Or you can develop some new email options. It is obvious from this thread that there are many who care and who have information that may help you. Find a way to take advantage of that.

Yes, isn't it ironic that your personal scenario may turn out even wilder or more fateful than the global threat that was your focus. Myself, I don't intend to check out. I hope your news improves. But it is a good lesson to "Get" that nothing is guaranteed. For anyone. Makes everything much more precious. Sometimes a new kind of freedom even lurks within the dilemma.

Watch for your allies, accept help that is offered, and let intuition be your guide when looking for support for your family. Consider this may be just the first chapter of a new part of your life. No matter how scary it seems, there are blessings here too. Collect your friends and any gifts you find along the way. Peace.

-- (normally@ease.notnow), October 28, 1999.

...go here. If you can "get it" on y2k, you can "get it" on this. GET this info from this site down, and follow it. Be tuff, make the right move here. As to wifey, of course have a back up plan, think about it, it's pretty obvious, just have to accept reality on man/woman things........ Good luck and better skill

-- zog (zzoggy@yahoo.com), October 28, 1999.

1) the buthead message and its respondents are GONE. I apologize to no one for this as I have let my own sensibilities get offended ENOUGH!

2) I happen to know Chuck VERY WELL, and can attest to his willingness, nay ANXIOUSNESS to help. He CAN also keep a secret. Use him as a go-between. you won't be the ONLY ONE.

SYSOP # 3

-- I AM only a number (sysop#3@re.us), October 28, 1999.

Thanks # 3. eyes, you won't be the first one 've done this for, nor the last. I feel for you and will pray for you.

My tears wash my keyboard clean.

chuck

-- Chuck, a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), October 28, 1999.

Sysop#3 --

No apology needed. In fact, a HUGE thank you for that act of human kindness. (The butthead has proven precisely where his head is.)

Eyes_open --

What can one say. The expression 'best laid plans of mice and men' doesn't begin to come close. In a way, I suppose it is simply proof that no man can know the hour or the day. And none can plan for it. I certainly hope that the test results come back and the doctor is wrong.

I would urge you to take up the sysop's suggestion. Anything at all you can do. I also realize that there may be a situation where all of the planning and preparing will do no more than postpone the day of reckoning. Looks to me like that is where you were concerned.

My advice would be to have faith. Faith in your spouse. Faith in your family. Sisters, brothers, uncles, whoever. People, under conditions of stress, can be incredibly resourceful, and often will amaze at the level of adaptiveness. And from what I have read of your posts, you have given them, at the least, the gift of a head start, regardless of whether it is a 1 or a 10.

Good luck. And keep the faith.

-- just another (another@engineer.com), October 28, 1999.

Eyes,

About two years ago, I had a congestive heart failure, and while I've recovered enough to keep on keeping on, the ticker ain't never gonna be what it used to be.

The med part isn't such an issue, with me, since the primo med is a diuretic, to keep the fluid off the heart and I've found some good herbal alternatives. The problem for me, is I'm just not up for TEOTWATKI, or anything close to it. If Mabes weren't G.I., I'd be a lunatic by now, from worry.

You've got to talk to the wife and let her in on this. Mabes can tell you how hard the job can be, since she got the sometimes thankless task of trying to get it into my thick skull, but she did get thru. The fight is worth the heart-ache (or so she's told me, anyway).

If you need to talk about it, the e-mail addy is real. Hang in there

-- Bokonon (bok0non@my-Deja. com), October 28, 1999.

I know that this kind of news can put you in a hopeless state of mind, and it sounds like that is what is happening to you. First of all, what makes you think you won't be able to get meds? If you need them to survive then your doctor will make sure you get enough to outlast any supply problems. Also, you will probably be able to order more from an international mail order drug company if this makes you feel more secure. Next, NEVER believe what doctors tell you. My father got a brain tumor and lung cancer over a year and a half ago. At that time his doctor told us he had about 6 months, over a year and a half ago, and he is still doing not too bad! You got to keep a positive attitude and fight to survive. Best wishes.

-- @ (@@@.@), October 28, 1999.

Now you've all gone and done it. No fair restoring my faith in humanity! ;-)

I am humbled at the generous respones from this forum. I knew I could count on you, I just didn't know how much. I am truly touched. (And I don't mean that they way DGI's meant it when I tried to warn them about possible disruptions, God bless their distracted little hearts.)

Here's some good news.

The tests have come back negative. Still don't know what's wrong with me, but the doctor will figure it out. The main suspect is raynauds (sp?) syndrome. Who the heck is Ray Nads and why is he pestering me, you ask. What ever it is, it affects circulation especially at the extremeties. This means I'm a prime candidate for frost bite, so I have to factor that in.

I now have an "Oops. I'm dead!" contigency plan almost finished. The other GI I know (who I helped extensivly with her prep's) will welcome the family. The wife-ski is signed on as a non-slacker, get with the program, bad things DO happen GI. (She just doesn't like it much.) The other GI is about 300 miles away, but were toying around with using night vision goggles to drive at night to get there should travel become difficult. Also looking in to a spare set of licenses from the home state of site B. That wat we can say we're going home. I will have to start a thread on what night vision works with what.

Thank you all again for the support and comforting words. I won't forget it.

Watch six and keep your...

-- eyes_open (best@wishes.not), October 28, 1999.

eyes_open, from your posts I feel that I know you, so your news saddens me too. I'm glad you brought this need to your "TB2000 family" for support. Yesterday I sent overseas for my meds, and you also can do this via the In addition, there are old posts on how to get them by just walking across the border to Mexico. I also just saw on "60 Minutes" seniors being taken by bus into Canada to get their prescriptions at half the price of USA. So there are ways. I hope that you will be in touch with the doctor who posted here via Chuck or Diane. Meanwhile, I will add you to my prayers. Just heard on news results of new medical study showing that people with heart conditions who were prayed for without their knowledge healed far sooner and better than those who were not being prayed for. There is power in prayer. May God bless you and yours.

Your family is very fortunate to have someone like you preparing for their future survival. I hope that they realize this NOW and rally behind you, and learn quickly what they need to know "just in case," which is the same thing they should be doing whether or not you were ill.

-- Elaine Seavey (Gods1sheep@aol.com), October 28, 1999.

eyes open: Im in the same boat as Ol Git . After becoming a GI, I was diagnosed with type II diabetes. Luck was with me as my doctor had no problem writing a scripe for 1 year and my pharmacy (run by a GI ) assures me I'll have a years worth of fresh meds befor Christmas. Ask them, all they can do is say no. Good luck....

-- Capt. Dennis (capden@hotmail.com), October 28, 1999.

Eyes open,

There are MANY folks here praying for you, sending up signals to marshall positive 'life forces' to sustain you.

It could be any one of us next time. I'd like to believe that the relationships we form here transcend the tangible.

We are pulling for you in more ways than you might imagine.

-- Wilferd (WilferdW@aol.com), October 28, 1999.

the future's uncertan and the end is always near.

-- Jim (Mojorisen@drunkard.com), October 28, 1999.

eyes open, you didn't say what your condition was that required drugs.

If you want help without personal email transmissions you'll have to tell us what's wrong with you.

-- OR (orwelliator@biosys.net), October 28, 1999.

I, too, offer assistance. I work in wholistic health, which has much to offer those who are seen by conventional medicine as hopeless cases. -Much to offer to everyone, of course. When what is applied is in harmony with Nature, actually aimed at correcting the imbalance that has caused the condition, the results are often quite amazing. Many conditions that are considered untreatable by conventional medicine are in fact reversable through natural means. It is done all the time, and if others can do it, so can you.

-- Shivani Arjuna (SArjuna@aol.com), October 28, 1999.