Wellness

[On It]

This morning I picked up a curbside order from Walmart. As my order was being placed into my car, I was asked my birthdate. I asked why they needed that and the response was for my Benadryl purchase. I asked why Benadryl was age restricted and was told it was because of the drowsiness it causes. I commented that was something I had not considered. The lady loading my order into the car then remarked that you wouldn't believe what is being abused these days. Why or how do young people abuse Benadryl?

After I got home I was then paranoid I gave her my birthdate. Now it is in Walmart's system. I guess it doesn't matter. All of the pharmacies and medical entities operate based on birthdates.

[RespectLife]

When DH buys beer at Wegman's, his birthdate goes into the system.

So many OTC are now behind the counter at Wegman's...you have to give your DOB to purchase.

There are sadly so many things restricted now....because of the abuses.

[On It]

@RespectLife Thank you for your reply. I was starting to get upset with myself. Your response was reassuring.

[ruthbe]

also alcohol

[novamc1]

@On It 

I  understand how Benadryl can be abused.

Many years ago when living in an apartment building with a community laundry, I put my clothes in a dryer and didn't notice a fabric softener sheet left in the dryer by someone else.

I  soon broke out in a mega-case of hives, covered with welts everywhere on my body and face.

Saw a dermatologist who prescribed a mega-dose of Benadryl.  That evening, I was supposed to meet with a friend for a social visit in her apartment.  I fell dead-to-the-world asleep  from the heavy dose of Benadryl and  found out later that I had stood her up that night.

Benadryl is a powerful sedative when used in high doses!!  Imagine what it can do if used in combination with alcohol or some other drug.

[walkingal]

@RespectLife  And too much sharing of our personal information.  

[Foxxee]

The problem I'm having with all this drug usage is we are penalized in some way such as your example 

What really irritates me is our telephone numbers will most likely be sent to the U.S. government, and they are sent when buying allergy decongestants used to make meth by druggies.  

It's none of the government's business what allergy meds we use.  

[RespectLife]

I agree @walkingal 

It is sad that the issues other people have with these products have made it a necessity for the rest of us to deal with.

If you don't give your DOB, you will not get the item.

Don't get sick later at night when the Pharmacies are closed because many OTC are now locked up!

[Winkk]

I wouldn't be concerned about giving them your phone number.  Have you ever Googled yourself?  So much information is out there on the web.  Once you're in someone's computer it's floating around in cyberspace.  Besides, if all they were doing is checking to see if you were "of age" you could make up something.

[Icegoddess]

I have to actually give them my Driver's License when buying the behind-the-counter OTC meds like Advil Cold & Sinus.  Of course, they get my birth date, but they also get my address and DL number.  It goes on a list and I guess that list gets shared with the gov't.  Am I happy about it?  No!  But if I need it, I'm going to give it to them.

What I don't understand is from what I have seen watching On Patrol Live is that abuse of drugs is not limited to a certain age category, so why are they singling out one for Benadryl?  Just because you may be a senior citizen doesn't mean you won't abuse it.  All kinds of drugs can be abused, so I also don't understand why they are singleing out Benadryl.  What about Nyquil?  What about 5-Hour Energy that you can buy at any quick stop at the checkout counter?