My wife just returned from the Kaiser Gwinnett Pharmacy (Atlanta). They were unable to fill my presciption for Alprazolam. I am in the process of being taken off of this drug and had ask my doctor for a three month supply due to my concerns that I might not be able to have access to this drug after Jan 1st. And it's not the type of drug you can just quit because of the side effect's of rapid withdrawl. We had set up a three month period to do this. The Pharmacist was only able to give me a 1 month supply. When my wife asked why, the Pharmacist said that they were out due to people stocking up on medicine due to Y2K, and especially for anti-anxiety drugs. At least she was honest about it. Has anyone else experienced this problem? I thought the pharmacy's said they were prepared for this type of problem. When asked when I could get the remainder of the prescription filled, she said that they had ordered more but wasn't sure when it would arrive. This sure has helped with my anxiety problem.

-- Sure I believe them (stressed@liars.med), December 10, 1999

Answers

Am on same drug and trying to wean my self off because I'm not thrilled to be on drugs, period, but am very worried about not getting them after Y2K. Try a Wal-Mart. Mine (south VA) seems to be OK with giving a 2 month supply. Glad to hear the Pharmacist admit to the problem.

-- D.J. Phillips (gardengal@land.com), December 10, 1999.

The anti-anxiety drugs (esp. SSRIs) started getting tight months ago.

I'll bet the government itself was stocking up. Check the bunker, right next to the Ensure.

-- JIT (justintime@rightnow.net), December 10, 1999.

I understand what you are feeling in regard to your prescription meds. I am also on Alprazolam, better known as Xanax, AND Propanolol, better known as Inderal, for heart problems. You are absolutely correct in stating that these drugs cannot be stopped abruptly (cold turkey).

A number of reports have reached me regarding shortages of Inderal. In this area, I was able to refill my Xanax and Inderal prescriptions at a well known national chain pharmacy this afternoon. Both were in the Generic form, but at least I have them in my medicine chest instead of having to ration out or reduce my dose. Folks who suffer with moderate to severe Anxiety or Panic need to monitor their supplies carefully and work closely with their doctor and pharmacist.

I have no clue if this is Y2K related or simply a lot of nervous people suddenly needing medication. Whatever the reason, I certainly wish you well and thank you for posting a valuable update.

Regards,

Irving

-- Irving (irvingf@myremarq.com), December 10, 1999.

The prudent thing to do is to return to your doctor and ask for multiple Rx's covering 4-6 weeks each, with authorizations for an earlier fill for the sake of Y2K. Then shop each prescription around and have one pharmacy fill the first, a second fill the second, etc. I have a client who is on methadon and diazepan --essential -- and back in February we began prepping his Y2K stash. Every month the Doc gave him a Rx for a 6 weeks supply, with 2 weeks extra to be set aside everymonth for Y2K purposes. By now he has adn extra 3-4 months of necessary meds, and has not contributed to the "pig in the python" supply problem.

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-- SH (squirrel@huntr.com), December 10, 1999.

Try Kava or Valerian

-- Herbina Ivy (herbalia @natures.com), December 10, 1999.

Thanks for reminding me...time for a Xanax run...supplies Are getting tight. Inderol is getting VERY scarce.

-- Y (Y@Y.Y), December 10, 1999.

I work in the health care industry and some of us "wonder" if our supplies will impact the patients in the hospital. I met a lab person who recieved "6 weeks" of supplies and not his usual week, which was goood to hear.( It's still less than I expect.)

Hold on to your hats folks a "Wild Ride is Coming" http://www.worldnetdaily.com/bluesky_kupelian/19990811_xcdku_a_wild_ri d.shtml

-- eyes wide open (djwolf@lanset.com), December 10, 1999.

From: Y2K, ` la Carte by Dancr (pic), near Monterey, California

Back in January, on the day I first GI'd I visited my pharmacy and asked to speak to the pharmacist. I had pre-written and memorized a list of questions to ask. I only got to ask the first couple questions before he let out a big billy laugh and bellowed "Oh, lady! It ain't gonna happen. He then turned on his heel faster than the FDIC spokes model turned her back of Wolf Blitzer and walked away. They were out of commission most of last month when they had to go manual for the conversion to a new computer system. One day I had to wait in line for an hour, even though I had called ahead the day before.

This month their automated answering machine is out of service because they're updating their phones. I guess they don't mind making it difficult for their customers to fill their prescriptions if they're trying to slow folks down anyway.

-- Dancr (addy.available@my.webpage), December 11, 1999.

I am sorry about this next day post. I would also like to mention that this spring at my sons T-ball game, one of the women whose son is on my sons team ask my wife if wasn't she a diabetic. My wife said yes. The woman said that she had heard this and has a friend who is a RN at Emory in Atlanta. She told my wife that she had mentioned that to her and the nurse said for her to tell my wife to stock up on as much insulin as possible before Jan. She then said that she didn,t want to mention why. My wife then ask her if this was in regards to Y2K. The woman just shook her head yes. We have been GIs for over 2 years so we knew what she was talking about. Seems there are a lot of people who are aware of the problem but are being discrete in their preps.

-- Sure I believe them (stressed @liars.med), December 11, 1999.