I don't know what to do

[FL_Gal]

Well, I went into the kitchen today, and someone had left the refrigerator door open.  Everything in the freezer was defrosted, and everything in the fridge was spoiled.

Now I'm sitting here bawling my eyes out because I had siz vials of Procrit and 13 redi-pens of PegIntron in there.  I have no idea how long the door was open for.  My daughter said she thinks she used the milk yesterday and it was OK.  I can tell you that nothing in there was very cold, though the ice packs in the freezer were still frozen.

Do I have to throw it all away?  Is it dangerous to use it? And how on earth would I replace it?

[FL_Gal]

Thanks everyone for the offers and kind words.  If Schering comes through like they say they will (HAH!) I should have replacements tomorrow.  I'm sure I wouldn't get them any faster from you guys.

I really appreciate everyone's thoughts, and this just goes to show how we all pull together when necessary.

[MissMiss]

What a dilema!  I hope it works out okay for you.

I was unable to share any of my leftover meds.  Noone would take them saying it was against the law. Not the GI or the Hematologist or Cancer Society or pharmacist!  I kept them for 6 months and finally flushed them down the drain.  I felt awful doing so and worry about the water supply when you have to do that.  But just throwing them in the trash sounded worse.  

miss

[FlGuy]

Just a comment on NYG's post.

Month's back I was in need of a few Peg's. My wife was able to scrounge a couple from a GI in her building.  The source of these were 'turn-ins' from a patient would did not need them.  Don't know who that masked person was, but am greatful for the thoughfulness. Who knows, they might turn out to be the silver bullets. Hi Yooo , Silver...

[jmjm530]

If FlGal, or your doc doesn't want your meds -- you might try calling up the hepatology department at one of the major New York City hospitals and and ask to speak to a treatment nurse. They may want them. Or, you might even try calling Dr. A's office. Hate to see the meds go to waste. I returned all mine to my treating doctor and he recycles them to those that are in need. What I don't think they will take is opened bottles of ribavirin.

[nygirl7]

I am trying to get my doctor to take my few leftover redi-pens - I think I might have two if you need them they are 80mcg I think.  I also might have some Epogen leftover but it's not Procrit.  

I wanted to make my doc keep them in his fridge just for when this happens to someone.  It's so scary when you've done like 40 weeks and the insurance jams up or something

Can you explain - is the fridge and freezer a part of the same thing?

[GrandmaA]

Hi,
I'm so glad they are sending you a redipen that you can use right away and I'm sure they will be replacing the rest. That's great.

Getting your own personal fridge might be the solution. Has this ever happened before. Maybe someone is taking ambien and walking (and eating) in their sleep.

I live alone. So if my frige is open it's my fault.

Take good care.
GrandmaA

[Bill1954]

Hi there,

Sorry to hear about the bum luck. Try calling Procritline (1-800-553-3851, 9:00 to 8:00 Eastern) first thing Monday AM, and let them know what happened; they should connect you with the patient assistance line, and might be able to help with reimbursement. Remember that although these meds are quite expensive to purchase, they do not cost much to manufacture minus the R&D cost. Let us know how things work out,

Take good care,

Bill

[ladybug52]

I have procrit, I'll send some refrigerated, overnight. Mine are 40,000 vials, can't remember what dosage you took. E-mail me if you want them.
Sorry about the fridge, "dotter" probably feels bad too. Hang in there, everything will be all right.
Bug

[wyntre9]

Ohhhh no!

I would be upset, too, if that happened to me.  But, hopefully, you'll be able to replace them tomorrow.

Geez, this is the LAST thing you needed!  Try to stay calm and keep us posted.

Hope everything turns out OK.  

[FL_Gal]

Thanks everyone.  I called Be In Charge.  They told me not to use the meds, but to hold on to them in case I have to exchange them for new ones.  The nurse there is helping me get at least one RediPen to use tomorrow, and they are going to try and help me get it all replaced.  I'm waiting for them to call me back.  

I guess the Procrit is just a loss.  Maybe tomorrow I'll try to deal with that.  I don't have the energy right now.

GrandmaA, it makes me feel better that they replaced yours.  I think I'm going to get a small personal fridge just for my meds, and keep it in my room.  They aren't that expensive, and I won't have to worry about anyone else being careless with the fridge.

[jmjm530]

I'm assuming the freezer is separate from the fridge, so not sure if that's a good barometer of how long the door was left open. Hopefully, the folks at Committment of Care can offer some advice. As mentioned, a refrigerator door should be adusted so it will close without being pushed shut. It's a matter of having the fridge leveled in a certain way. There should be adjusters on the bottom, or check with manual or customer service number for the manufacturer. I was pretty paranoid about the fridge and bought one of those fridge thermometers that I placed in the compartment I kept the injectibles.

-- Jim

[GrandmaA]

So sorry to hear your meds are ruined due to not being refrigerated properly.
I froze my entire first shipment of redipens by mistake. And I called Commitment to care and they replaced it all free of charge. But I was one day late in starting tx. So I started on a Sat. and then switched over to Fri. night after that.  

[orphanedhawk]

Oh, one more thing. There is a simple way to adjust your refridgerator door so it will close even if its left open. Have someone do this for you so it won't happen again.

[orphanedhawk]

  I would keep it cold as if everything was fine. Call comittment to care in the morning and tell them exactly what happened. A closed fridge can stay cold for a long time.  Don't panic!  Take a deep breath. I'm sure someone at Scherring Plough or your doctor's office can help you.