Botox injections for chronic migraines delayed because of normal saline shortage
Posted by Pea-and-Pen@reddit | PrepperIntel | View on Reddit | 36 comments
I was due to get Botox on May 29th but the appointment was cancelled. I get it every three months for chronic migraines. I was told they didn’t know when they would be able to reschedule it. I messaged again this morning and was told that the delay was due to an injectable normal saline shortage. It’s been on back order for a few months and they still have no idea when they will get some in.
Between the regular Botox injections and a monthly shot of Emgality my migraines have been under control for a couple of years. Now that I’m a month late on the Botox the migraines are kicking back in. Which isn’t great but isn’t life threatening. But what about other uses in hospitals for IV’s and stuff? This seems like a pretty bad situation.
Defiant-Smell3657@reddit
I work in the medical field and have not heard of any current shortages. However, it would not surprise me if there was because nobody knows how to drink water and stay hydrated.
LegitimateLagomorph@reddit
Likely it's secondary to the saline shortage. Botox for migraine is a low priority procedure so it's probably at the end of their purchasing list. If they hit their limit before then, it gets cut.
Bigtimeknitter@reddit
Tangential: have u tried magnesium? It helps certain types of migraines and pretty accessible. It helps mine a lot though it doesn't eliminate them
LegitimateLagomorph@reddit
If they're at the stage of regular Botox, magnesium is likely not going to do anything
Faceless_Cat@reddit
Thank you for this. I am due to get my injections in a few weeks. It’s been life changing.
Pea-and-Pen@reddit (OP)
It was for me too.
Amazing-Marzipan3191@reddit
If you are unable to get your injections consider 160mg Propranolol, it has worked for me, and no needles.
stinkstankstunkiii@reddit
So that would be 16 of my 10 mg pills?
Amazing-Marzipan3191@reddit
I take one 160mg slow release a day and I haven't had a migraine since. Lucky me.
zojoncs@reddit
I would suggest seeing if your doctor can get you approved for Vyepti instead. It's an IV infusion that you get 4 times a year that, for me, has been life changing. In the 2-years I have been on it, I have had 5 migraines... down from 4-5 per week...
Fit-Lion-773@reddit
Damn having headaches at least 15 days a months, you deserve to look good.
Pea-and-Pen@reddit (OP)
When I first started getting Botox the migraines were nearly every day and lasting hours. I had to quit my job of 24 years and was mostly home bound for a couple of years. My forehead is smooth like a 20 year old but the bottom half of my face is that of a 50 year old. So it’s definitely weird. I do wear a hat when I’m not at home though (because of light sensitivity) so most people can’t tell.
LocalGHOST013@reddit
There is a NS shortage every few years. They only make just enough to supply the need, but it isn't cost effective to produce. If 1 of the 2 plants that manufacture NS go down for any reason there's a "shortage" until production can resume and the gap in the supply chain is filled.
AntiSonOfBitchamajig@reddit
"A national shortage of IV fluids is impacting hospitals and health systems,primarily due to disruptions in manufacturing caused by a hurricane. The shortage is particularly affecting Sodium Chloride 0.9% (saline) and Compound Sodium Lactate (Hartmann's solution) products, and is expected to last for several more months"
So... theyre still struggling with supply chain.
HumblerSloth@reddit
Tariffs doing what they do.
HJSlibrarylady@reddit
This has nothing to do with tarrifs.
HumblerSloth@reddit
Supply chain issues have nothing to do with tariffs? Locating another source abroad?
ghostlytinker@reddit
Nah this was due to the storm last year we lost a major supply plant in NC
TheStephinator@reddit
Yep! It’s what happens when you put all your production eggs in one basket! Baxter really needs additional manufacturing locations.
No_Cellist_5598@reddit
That link is from January. Conditions have since improved, and many distributors are easing the purchase limits and wait lists for fluids.
Unique-Sock3366@reddit
Absolutely. We’ve been back to normal at my hospital for months now.
For now, anyway.
Responsible-Emu-7293@reddit
Same at my hospital. Some places might be having issues still if they did not have allocations prior to the hurricane. Might.
AntiSonOfBitchamajig@reddit
So this is just a smaller ripple somewhere OP is.
Unique-Sock3366@reddit
Certainly seems to be.
TrekRider911@reddit
Good thing our government is focused on trans people and immigrants, and not things like medical supply shortages. /s
Ricky_Ventura@reddit
Careful. Mods will remove and threaten to ban your comments for being "unhelpful" now.
Missed the rule change update so spread the word.
AntiSonOfBitchamajig@reddit
Why the response to me regarding this?
Dyn0might33@reddit
You can order saline online from numerous reputable sources.
Pea-and-Pen@reddit (OP)
I asked if I could bring some if I could get it and they said no.
Dyn0might33@reddit
I believe you. It's the shortage excuse I don't buy.
Reasonable_Carry9191@reddit
This is odd because supply chains have been back up for a while now.
Pea-and-Pen@reddit (OP)
That’s what my husband was saying earlier. He was in logistics/supply at a VA hospital and he “calls bullshit”. He said have not any problems whatsoever. I told him they wouldn’t just decide they don’t want to give Botox to people and then lie about not having normal saline. So I don’t know what the deal is.
Ruthless-words@reddit
I’m able to take Nurtec and quilpita (similar to your other med) so maybe you can double up
SimmeringPawsOfNirn@reddit
see if you can get Ubrelvy to knock them down when they start. Also a script for Ketolorac for if that doesn't work (oral form of what ER gives via IV). I'm in the same boat and those 2 make it more bearable when they come on and I have only needed Ketolorac a couple times.
Ricky_Ventura@reddit
Damn. If only there was a Federal Emergency Management Agency to help rebuild after major natural disasters like these hurricanes that are disrupting supply.
PrepperIntel-ModTeam@reddit
Your posting was considered Non-constructive under rule 5 of r/PrepperIntel by the mods and has been removed.