Today at the free clinic I finally had to admit that our reserves of Albuterol is dwindling rapidly. We have saved many folks dollars by being able to provide them with albuterol samples, unit dose for their nebulizers. So I am here to grovel to anyone who is willing to listen - I am in need of more samples and yeah I know that the famous WalMart list offers a box for 4 bucks. But here is a true story, yesterday I had to give one of our patients, nonrespiratory but someone who has psoriatic rheumatoid issues gas money so that he can come back tomorrow and have his PPD read before he begins that med known as Enbrel. He had no way to get back to the clinic to have it read and if he doesn't get it read, then he won't be able to get the Enbrel. So that is why I ask fi anyone knows how I can get more samples, it is most appreciated.
The COPDer called today to let us know that his breathing is better than it was 3 weeks ago. He had developed a URI and was headed down a slippery slope, but he has had prednisone added to his routine and he is much better, and that is what we gave him only a few days ago. Somedays after a grueling day it is always nice to hear thank you from one of the patients who you know that is so appreciative and who you know deep down inside had his life saved for the time being.
So, am in need of the albuterol and holding chambers/spacers. People are impressed by the spacer that we hand out with each MDI. They report that they didn't know something like that existed and report on a regular basis that it makes the MDI much more effective, a huge duh to say the least.
Please send me a message if you can help in any way with this. Don't forget to remember that nobody should ever have to have respiratory distress because they can't afford their medications.
Thanks,
Bette Grey, BA, RRT, CPFT
Columbia County Volunteers in Medicine Clinic, Inc.