Aa
Where can I get another sharps container? both of mine are filled up. and where to dispose?
still on Neupogen and thought Pegasys supplied free sharps containers, but can't find it on their website.
I brought my full container to my hospital and they dispose of them there. We have a Positive Care Clinic there that treat HCV and HIV patients and needle exchange so that is where I bring them. I have wondered if pharmacies would accept them...think out of curiosity I will give mine a call to see...Hmmmm....
Sincerely, Starshine1ca
Sincerely, Starshine1ca
LOL, I know; being socially responsible isn’t exactly on the top of the list for most addicts ;o). Any work that society can do in terms of harm reduction should be considered, though. I do like the concept of needle exchange; it solves so many problems at once; and surely doesn’t create more addicts. I used to use many years ago, and the **** I’d stick in my arm… oh well :o).
Take care,
Bill
Take care,
Bill
I have been SVR for over two years so it's not an issue to me any longer. While it wasn't an optimal decision it appeared to be the only one available at the time unfortunately. I couldn't keep containers of them around the house forever.
I think between all the stuffing on the inside and the layers of tape over the lid they should be pretty safe. But like I said had their been another option.........
I agree they should do something in larger areas so that it wouldn't be a problem. Most addicts will use the same needle until is can't be used any longer than just chuck them where ever without any thought any way though. I could not see my exhusband thinking "Oh I must put this safely aside in a container until I can get to a kiosk" chances are he was thinking of ways to get more dope and needles themselves.
Now turning them in somewhere for fresh ones.....that totally might work because even though they are so cheap that extra money to an addict is important.
I think between all the stuffing on the inside and the layers of tape over the lid they should be pretty safe. But like I said had their been another option.........
I agree they should do something in larger areas so that it wouldn't be a problem. Most addicts will use the same needle until is can't be used any longer than just chuck them where ever without any thought any way though. I could not see my exhusband thinking "Oh I must put this safely aside in a container until I can get to a kiosk" chances are he was thinking of ways to get more dope and needles themselves.
Now turning them in somewhere for fresh ones.....that totally might work because even though they are so cheap that extra money to an addict is important.
“I doubt by the time the coffee can degrades any viable hep would be left on any of the needles anyway. It doesn't live forever.”
While I agree that there’s little risk for contagion with HCV at that point, the problem is that although you and I know that, there’s no way that someone that gets stuck will know that. The supervisor at the county disposal site tells me that employees that get a needle stick accident have to get through all the prophylaxis injections anyway. I’m not suggesting you do otherwise Deb; just relating what I was told here.
I believe disposal issues vary in different areas. I have tried several pharmacies, local laboratories, and the local hospital; while they all deal with their own biohazard disposal needs, non of them are equipped to handle other’s waste.
In my opinion, the county should install kiosks or other methods of providing 24/7 disposal. We have a significant methamphetamine problem here, and any efforts made to deal with harm prevention would be to the benefit of the public, no doubt. Of course, a point could be made that addicts aren’t going to be compliant with disposal protocol, but any effort to combat this should be taken regardless.
Bill
While I agree that there’s little risk for contagion with HCV at that point, the problem is that although you and I know that, there’s no way that someone that gets stuck will know that. The supervisor at the county disposal site tells me that employees that get a needle stick accident have to get through all the prophylaxis injections anyway. I’m not suggesting you do otherwise Deb; just relating what I was told here.
I believe disposal issues vary in different areas. I have tried several pharmacies, local laboratories, and the local hospital; while they all deal with their own biohazard disposal needs, non of them are equipped to handle other’s waste.
In my opinion, the county should install kiosks or other methods of providing 24/7 disposal. We have a significant methamphetamine problem here, and any efforts made to deal with harm prevention would be to the benefit of the public, no doubt. Of course, a point could be made that addicts aren’t going to be compliant with disposal protocol, but any effort to combat this should be taken regardless.
Bill
Actually our garbage company said just to make sure they were very secure and put them out with the trash. I had the same concerns but my doctors office wouldn't take them back (or give me a new container) so I had to do something with them. I doubt by the time the coffee can degrades any viable hep would be left on any of the needles anyway. It doesn't live forever.
I'm not in tx anymore - I'm SVR, but I still use procrit so I have sharps. I would not have taken my tx syringes to the pharmacy because I live in a small town and my pharmacy doesn't have (and I don't want them to have) info about me having been diagnosed with hcv.
But its a good idea if you are in tx, to ask the tx doc where to take them. I will ask my pharmacy if they can take my other sharp containers when I finish with them.
But its a good idea if you are in tx, to ask the tx doc where to take them. I will ask my pharmacy if they can take my other sharp containers when I finish with them.
Ask your treatment nurse/doctor for a new container. I return my full ones to the pharmacy.
ahem... as a long time user of procrit, I've done a lot of the coffee can thing too. Now I feel kind of bad, I don't want anyone getting stuck! But I'm really not sure where to take them in my area, I need to call the hospital, I'm sure they can tell me.
I bring mine to the Dr. office and they dispose of them and give me a new container. I could probably put them in the hazardous waste container here at work, but I wouldn't get a new one that way. So I just bring the container with me in a bag when I go to the clinic.
Lal, I don't know where to dispose of them. I still have mine from over a year ago in my bedroom in my little pegasys briefcase thingy. I guess I should ask my GP if he will get rid of them. I don't want to just throw it in the trash. I actaully forgot about it.
Denise
Denise
I finally started putting them in a coffee can and using duct tape to close them. I mean serious duct tape all over the place but it was just as sturdy as a sharps container. Not very pretty though but after 72 weeks of Inf and 2x a week Procrit I had too many needles to do anything with all the time.
My doc's office gave me one when I started TX and told me to return it when it was full and they would give me another. I actually just filled mine up with the 48th shot and I'm going to proudly take it and my left-over riba to the doc this next week.
Hi Lal,
I used to get mine from the local pharmacy; although sometimes I had to order one a couple of days in advance. I disposed of them at the county dump (disposal site); they have two days a week that they allow biohazard material.
The county dump will take sharps in any plastic container, as long as the top is taped closed securely; I also used old half gallon milk jugs and duct taped the tops shut. You should call them in advance though and make sure this is allowed in your municipality.
I complained to the dump about them only having two days per week that they take this stuff; the supervisor agrees this is ridiculous. He said the hospital used to take used sharps, but a candy striper got a needle stick once, and they stopped the practice. He said workers at the dump are getting needle sticks too; seems they sort out any recyclables, and people are putting their sharps in beer cans; how totally unthoughtful, huh?
Hope you get done with this stuff soon—
Bill
I used to get mine from the local pharmacy; although sometimes I had to order one a couple of days in advance. I disposed of them at the county dump (disposal site); they have two days a week that they allow biohazard material.
The county dump will take sharps in any plastic container, as long as the top is taped closed securely; I also used old half gallon milk jugs and duct taped the tops shut. You should call them in advance though and make sure this is allowed in your municipality.
I complained to the dump about them only having two days per week that they take this stuff; the supervisor agrees this is ridiculous. He said the hospital used to take used sharps, but a candy striper got a needle stick once, and they stopped the practice. He said workers at the dump are getting needle sticks too; seems they sort out any recyclables, and people are putting their sharps in beer cans; how totally unthoughtful, huh?
Hope you get done with this stuff soon—
Bill
If you get your neup at a pharmacy, ask for it there. If you get it mail-order, ask them to send one in your next shipment.
Try asking the doctor who wrote the prescription for the Neupogen. I'm on study and I'll know more next week when I finish, but I'm pretty sure I will bring the full one back to them. If I were to need another one, they'd supply it. That's where I got the first one. I would think any medical facility would have a means of disposal.
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