Discussions
Reply to: News of the Week 2024-12-30 Posted 1 month ago

I know there was a recent topic posted about fish antibiotics. I thought that you had to have an RX to purchase the fish antibiotics now, does anyone have any definitive information on that topic? Also, because I have seen this question repeatedly in some online groups I belong to, I wanted to share some places that people can get antibiotics and other useful medications. 1.  Jase medical is online. You can get antibiotics and other medications sent to your home for emergency use. (Epi pens, Zofran, invermectin, fluconazole).  They provide an educational book describing when to take what medication and how much.  In addition, you can get a YEAR supply of other routine medications including thyroid meds, heat and blood pressure meds, depression meds, etc….You may also be able to use your HSA/flex spending money. 2. Alldaychemist.com is online pharmacy through India. They offer antibiotics, invermectin, some cox-2 pain meds like celebrex, and many other meds. The website requests an RX but this is NOT needed and you skip that section. This is a reputable company and I have personally used them. It does take about 30 days to get the meds all the way from India though. But their prices are dirt cheap. Meds are solid and my family has used several of them. i know there is at least one other company that functions similar to Jade medical here in the states and have heard of another pharmacy out of Mexico that provides medication utilizing a MD here in the states.  Where are you all getting you emergency meds and routine meds from to prepare for supply chain (or other) issues?

Reply to: Online survival/prepping courses? Posted September 11, 2023
Reply to: Hello from illinois Posted September 10, 2023
What are your tips for hiding food/valuables?
9
2
Posted January 17, 2023
Reply to: New gun owners with questions? Posted January 16, 2023
Reply to: Has anyone read the book “Easy Cellar” by Tom Griffith? Posted October 14, 2022
Reply to: My experience of using a WaterBob during a personal disaster Posted October 14, 2022
Reply to: Nuclear disaster and water purification Posted October 14, 2022
Reply to: Nuclear disaster and water purification Posted October 14, 2022
Reply to: Nuclear disaster and water purification Posted October 14, 2022
Nuclear disaster and water purification
8
8
Posted October 13, 2022
Reply to: Navigating the healthcare system in the USA Posted October 13, 2022
Reply to: Navigating the healthcare system in the USA Posted October 13, 2022

How to keep records?  I agree with the online portals. You can get copies of everything. Also, agree with others to print and put in a file and then store digitally. How to deal with the insurance company? Agree with others on prior approval. Make a call the day before expensive tests and ask if you are unsure. If the code is not correct or not funded, contact DR office for resolution and then the insurance company. If nothing can be done there look up the code on google and do some research, you might be able to have a more informed discussion with a little more knowledge. We call them CPT codes. So google CPT code and then the number and it will bring up a list. Compare to your procedure and diagnosis. Also, in the pre-approval stage, if you are denied, have your DR do a person to person review with your DR. Specifically request this from your DR. AND on DR told me the squeaky wheel gets the grease. If you have the time and energy, call them daily….speak to the same person, if no help there, ask for the supervisor. How to not eat savings??  It is always cheaper to go with IN-NETWORK Doctor. That being said, that is not always the best choice as you might get better care elsewhere. So that is a cost/benefit decision. Also, many healthcare institutions moving toward providing an estimate of cost when requested by patient. Ask for those up front. RX express definitely helpful for drug costs. Print out the coupon and take it to the pharmacy. If your insurance supports mail order drugs for 90 days, do it!!! Always cheaper than 30 day from retail pharmacy. Can’t do schedule 2 or narcotics this way, but most others can be done like that. Get the itemized bill on everything and compare to your treatment. Anything you don’t recognize, dispute it. Is a test necessary? Ask the long list of questions…Why are we doing this test? What are you looking for, specifically? How will this test change my care? What will this CT scan show that the ultrasound didn’t show?? Is there a less invasive/expensive way to get this information? Also, if we find X what will we do versus if we find Y?? ( which goes to the question of how this test impacts your care) Clafify any previous tests that were the same. I just had these X-rays at my DR office. Can I just sign a consent and have the info sent here?? Or do you need new X-rays? What will these new X-rays show that the older ones did not? If in the hospital, what is the plan of care today? What tests are we doing? Am I seeing any new specialists and why am I seeing them? And good advice to have a support person taking notes. I am younger and in healthcare, but even I know I’m not at my best when I’m sick or distressed. Best to have two ears listening. Clarify details with nursing staff if you forget or have questions. Ask to speak to the doctor if you have new questions. Write down questions to ask when your DR comes in or when going to the office so you don’t forget them. Get a second opinion any time you feel uncomfortable for any reason.  As for who to see? Other than online and how you feel when you actually see the DR, ask a trusted healthcare professional (your primary), nurses, other friends in the area who they have used and what they think of the person. Are they competent? What is their bedside manner? Do they address concerns right away? Explain things in a way you can understand? Do you know anyone that had bad outcomes or situations with the healthcare provider. Also, I generally like nurse practitioners, they take more time with you. Listen better. Explain better. But that is just an opinion, and sometimes the special nature of the illness requires a DR anyway. Just some food for thought on that one.

Reply to: How to survive a nuclear attack Posted October 10, 2022
Reply to: What our BOBs have evolved into, and are now becoming through NEED. Posted March 29, 2022

For my family, prepping means that there are no hard truths. Every part of the equation is a variable. We do not assume that we will all be together.  Obviously, our unit is strongest when we are together, but any number of things could happen to split us apart. We practice skills together. My 6yr old loves to practice skills like making fire, etc….. and we do it as a family and sometimes have fun competitions.  We also discuss scenarios where one parent or the other is unavailable. Our oldest son, who is 19 knows what is expected of him if both of us are unavailable. We do practice our escape routes together, we have a pre-determined meeting area. Each of the adults in our family is fully capable of taking the lead if necessary.  We are blessed though, as my family has equal interest and shared values and goals. I will say we are still discussing scenarios where we would want/need to leave the country. Where would we go? How easy would it be to get out of the States? Considered placing money in foreign banks or starting an offshore account. All of our currency could be taken, devalued, or unavailable. Good to not have all your eggs in one basket. Has anyone else given this idea some thought? Interested in any ideas on this topic.

Reply to: Well use without electricity Posted March 23, 2022

Thank you so much for that. Have been discussing this with my husband. He is the brains of our operation. A journeyman in industrial maintenance. He understands all mechanical and electrical things. Unfortunately, My brain was not set up to understand mechanical/electrical principles. Being complete opposites, we complement each other though. I see some very sturdy pulleys there. Clearly an invaluable item. What are they called? The ones with two pulley’s and rope in between them? Each time that rope goes from one to the other it decreases the amount of force needed to pull an item right? We do have a strong tripod we could position over the well as well as multiple vehicles (ATV), and lastly we do have plenty of help (2 strong boys plus my husband and I). But would be interested in obtaining some quality pulley systems as I can definitely see how those would be invaluable for multiple applications in addition to pulling the submersible pump. Again thank you so much for sharing your time and knowledge with a newer family to preparing.  I realized over some time that all the things we all take for granted can change in a moments notice. History has shown it time and time again. To not plan for those changes would be deadly.  Self resilience should always be a priority. Dependence on government and utilities leads to some catastrophic consequences.

Reply to: “Reasonable” preparations for a nuclear conflict—picking a place to live… Posted March 22, 2022
Reply to: “Reasonable” preparations for a nuclear conflict—picking a place to live… Posted March 22, 2022
Reply to: Well use without electricity Posted March 22, 2022
Well use without electricity
10
8
Posted March 20, 2022
What are your tips for hiding food/valuables?
9
2
Posted January 17, 2023
Nuclear disaster and water purification
8
8
Posted October 13, 2022
Well use without electricity
10
8
Posted March 20, 2022
Reply to: News of the Week 2024-12-30 Posted 1 month ago

I know there was a recent topic posted about fish antibiotics. I thought that you had to have an RX to purchase the fish antibiotics now, does anyone have any definitive information on that topic? Also, because I have seen this question repeatedly in some online groups I belong to, I wanted to share some places that people can get antibiotics and other useful medications. 1.  Jase medical is online. You can get antibiotics and other medications sent to your home for emergency use. (Epi pens, Zofran, invermectin, fluconazole).  They provide an educational book describing when to take what medication and how much.  In addition, you can get a YEAR supply of other routine medications including thyroid meds, heat and blood pressure meds, depression meds, etc….You may also be able to use your HSA/flex spending money. 2. Alldaychemist.com is online pharmacy through India. They offer antibiotics, invermectin, some cox-2 pain meds like celebrex, and many other meds. The website requests an RX but this is NOT needed and you skip that section. This is a reputable company and I have personally used them. It does take about 30 days to get the meds all the way from India though. But their prices are dirt cheap. Meds are solid and my family has used several of them. i know there is at least one other company that functions similar to Jade medical here in the states and have heard of another pharmacy out of Mexico that provides medication utilizing a MD here in the states.  Where are you all getting you emergency meds and routine meds from to prepare for supply chain (or other) issues?

Reply to: Online survival/prepping courses? Posted September 11, 2023
Reply to: Hello from illinois Posted September 10, 2023
Reply to: New gun owners with questions? Posted January 16, 2023
Reply to: Has anyone read the book “Easy Cellar” by Tom Griffith? Posted October 14, 2022
Reply to: My experience of using a WaterBob during a personal disaster Posted October 14, 2022
Reply to: Nuclear disaster and water purification Posted October 14, 2022
Reply to: Nuclear disaster and water purification Posted October 14, 2022
Reply to: Nuclear disaster and water purification Posted October 14, 2022
Reply to: Navigating the healthcare system in the USA Posted October 13, 2022
Reply to: Navigating the healthcare system in the USA Posted October 13, 2022

How to keep records?  I agree with the online portals. You can get copies of everything. Also, agree with others to print and put in a file and then store digitally. How to deal with the insurance company? Agree with others on prior approval. Make a call the day before expensive tests and ask if you are unsure. If the code is not correct or not funded, contact DR office for resolution and then the insurance company. If nothing can be done there look up the code on google and do some research, you might be able to have a more informed discussion with a little more knowledge. We call them CPT codes. So google CPT code and then the number and it will bring up a list. Compare to your procedure and diagnosis. Also, in the pre-approval stage, if you are denied, have your DR do a person to person review with your DR. Specifically request this from your DR. AND on DR told me the squeaky wheel gets the grease. If you have the time and energy, call them daily….speak to the same person, if no help there, ask for the supervisor. How to not eat savings??  It is always cheaper to go with IN-NETWORK Doctor. That being said, that is not always the best choice as you might get better care elsewhere. So that is a cost/benefit decision. Also, many healthcare institutions moving toward providing an estimate of cost when requested by patient. Ask for those up front. RX express definitely helpful for drug costs. Print out the coupon and take it to the pharmacy. If your insurance supports mail order drugs for 90 days, do it!!! Always cheaper than 30 day from retail pharmacy. Can’t do schedule 2 or narcotics this way, but most others can be done like that. Get the itemized bill on everything and compare to your treatment. Anything you don’t recognize, dispute it. Is a test necessary? Ask the long list of questions…Why are we doing this test? What are you looking for, specifically? How will this test change my care? What will this CT scan show that the ultrasound didn’t show?? Is there a less invasive/expensive way to get this information? Also, if we find X what will we do versus if we find Y?? ( which goes to the question of how this test impacts your care) Clafify any previous tests that were the same. I just had these X-rays at my DR office. Can I just sign a consent and have the info sent here?? Or do you need new X-rays? What will these new X-rays show that the older ones did not? If in the hospital, what is the plan of care today? What tests are we doing? Am I seeing any new specialists and why am I seeing them? And good advice to have a support person taking notes. I am younger and in healthcare, but even I know I’m not at my best when I’m sick or distressed. Best to have two ears listening. Clarify details with nursing staff if you forget or have questions. Ask to speak to the doctor if you have new questions. Write down questions to ask when your DR comes in or when going to the office so you don’t forget them. Get a second opinion any time you feel uncomfortable for any reason.  As for who to see? Other than online and how you feel when you actually see the DR, ask a trusted healthcare professional (your primary), nurses, other friends in the area who they have used and what they think of the person. Are they competent? What is their bedside manner? Do they address concerns right away? Explain things in a way you can understand? Do you know anyone that had bad outcomes or situations with the healthcare provider. Also, I generally like nurse practitioners, they take more time with you. Listen better. Explain better. But that is just an opinion, and sometimes the special nature of the illness requires a DR anyway. Just some food for thought on that one.

Reply to: How to survive a nuclear attack Posted October 10, 2022
Reply to: What our BOBs have evolved into, and are now becoming through NEED. Posted March 29, 2022

For my family, prepping means that there are no hard truths. Every part of the equation is a variable. We do not assume that we will all be together.  Obviously, our unit is strongest when we are together, but any number of things could happen to split us apart. We practice skills together. My 6yr old loves to practice skills like making fire, etc….. and we do it as a family and sometimes have fun competitions.  We also discuss scenarios where one parent or the other is unavailable. Our oldest son, who is 19 knows what is expected of him if both of us are unavailable. We do practice our escape routes together, we have a pre-determined meeting area. Each of the adults in our family is fully capable of taking the lead if necessary.  We are blessed though, as my family has equal interest and shared values and goals. I will say we are still discussing scenarios where we would want/need to leave the country. Where would we go? How easy would it be to get out of the States? Considered placing money in foreign banks or starting an offshore account. All of our currency could be taken, devalued, or unavailable. Good to not have all your eggs in one basket. Has anyone else given this idea some thought? Interested in any ideas on this topic.

Reply to: Well use without electricity Posted March 23, 2022

Thank you so much for that. Have been discussing this with my husband. He is the brains of our operation. A journeyman in industrial maintenance. He understands all mechanical and electrical things. Unfortunately, My brain was not set up to understand mechanical/electrical principles. Being complete opposites, we complement each other though. I see some very sturdy pulleys there. Clearly an invaluable item. What are they called? The ones with two pulley’s and rope in between them? Each time that rope goes from one to the other it decreases the amount of force needed to pull an item right? We do have a strong tripod we could position over the well as well as multiple vehicles (ATV), and lastly we do have plenty of help (2 strong boys plus my husband and I). But would be interested in obtaining some quality pulley systems as I can definitely see how those would be invaluable for multiple applications in addition to pulling the submersible pump. Again thank you so much for sharing your time and knowledge with a newer family to preparing.  I realized over some time that all the things we all take for granted can change in a moments notice. History has shown it time and time again. To not plan for those changes would be deadly.  Self resilience should always be a priority. Dependence on government and utilities leads to some catastrophic consequences.

Reply to: “Reasonable” preparations for a nuclear conflict—picking a place to live… Posted March 22, 2022
Reply to: “Reasonable” preparations for a nuclear conflict—picking a place to live… Posted March 22, 2022
Reply to: Well use without electricity Posted March 22, 2022
Reply to: Filtering vs. purifying Posted February 27, 2022
Reply to: Containers 101 Posted February 27, 2022