While driving in Boise last winter, I came across news of a new law in Idaho allowing ivermectin to be sold over the counter. Prior to this, it could only be obtained through a prescription, but even then, many doctors were hesitant to prescribe it.
Before long, Idaho residents will be able to purchase ivermectin directly from places like Walgreens, just like they do with aspirin and dental floss.
Ivar, who?
If you need a refresher, ivermectin was initially discussed as a treatment that could potentially alleviate COVID-19 symptoms.
It feels odd to hear talk about the coronavirus these days. It seems like no one is focused on it anymore, and news of new research or updates on the virus are hard to come by.
Have we really figured out all there is to know about this new coronavirus? It doesn’t appear so. People are now saying that the virus can lead to prolonged symptoms. Is that true? Honestly, no one seems to have definitive answers.
One thing that would be helpful to know is whether ivermectin is actually effective against COVID-19.
I guess people are still catching the virus. Have you asked your doctor about ivermectin? If so, what did they say?
If a drug has sparked enough controversy that states are passing laws about it, doesn’t it make sense for someone to investigate its effectiveness?
This might pose a challenge for big pharmaceutical companies, as they likely prefer that people rely on their higher-priced drugs instead of lower-cost alternatives like ivermectin.
That does sound a bit cynical, doesn’t it?
Meanwhile, healthcare professionals continue to seek vaccination against the coronavirus. Are we still using an experimental vaccine, or is there a new version that hasn’t completed testing?
Speaking of experimentation, how is that going? I haven’t heard much about it. This might mean it’s all going smoothly? After all, people don’t seem to be dying in droves. Or, of course, you might develop a serious illness—so maybe it’s a mixed bag.
Idaho fought the law (and Idaho won)
Out of curiosity regarding this law, I did some digging. I found a few amusing remarks from one of Idaho’s legislators. He mentioned being surprised by how many other lawmakers were already on board with the ivermectin bill.
He didn’t offer further details, but I couldn’t help but think they were likely thinking about purchasing it in “horse paste” form, the only option available back then.
My first encounter with ivermectin was when I heard a rumor that a miraculous new drug had been discovered by researchers in Japan that could possibly cure COVID-19.
After looking into it further, I learned that ivermectin was developed by a British scientist and a Japanese scientist who received the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2015. They primarily viewed it as an antiparasitic medication.
Yet, the internet buzzed with claims that ivermectin could do more than that—like helping with cancer or arthritis—and, most importantly, that it could protect against COVID-19.
Some scientists have even termed ivermectin the most significant medical discovery since penicillin. One saying goes, “If you’re not a horse, don’t take it.”
hay is for horses
As the pandemic drags on, interest in ivermectin has surged. Many people want to give it a shot, regardless of what the science establishment suggests.
There are indeed human versions of ivermectin tablets, but I once had to order from a somewhat dubious overseas source. Who knows if those pills were legitimate?
As a result, some opted for horse paste, with glowing online reviews claiming it wasn’t so bad—some said it tasted like apples, which is amusing considering it was made for horses.
For me, the enticing idea of a pill prompted me to think about trying ivermectin. After the initial lockdowns ended, I was unwell for a week. Given my unusual symptoms, I suspected it was COVID-19. Even after recovering, I continued to experience some lingering effects.
If ivermectin really is a “magic bullet,” it might help ease those symptoms. Plus, it could potentially ward off other illnesses down the line.
Yes, or your neighbor?
I called Walgreens in Boise, inquiring about the availability of ivermectin. The young man on the other end started cracking jokes and poking fun at the governor and the new bill, even calling him “Governor Spittle.”
When I continued to press, he informed me they didn’t have it yet, nor did he know when it would be available. It might take a while, he guessed, if it even comes at all.
So, I took to the internet to check if any other pharmacies listed ivermectin on their websites—but no luck.
Eventually, I stumbled upon a package of twelve tablets on a foreign site, but it was pricey and soon showed as out of stock.
Clearly, it would be a while before a tablet version hit the market for general distribution.
However, my excitement for ivermectin was growing—I’d even watched a video about it.
I thought it was striking enough to research further and found horse paste on Amazon—it was cheaper than pills! There was even a YouTube doctor who advised on doses for human consumption.
Half-amused, I caught myself contemplating whether I should actually order ivermectin horse paste online. And then I did.
golden goo
A week later, my package arrived. Opening it revealed a long plastic syringe setup, reminiscent of what I had seen in videos.
Like many, I had experimented with illegal substances in my younger days. Technically, horse paste wasn’t illegal. But holding it felt… questionable.
Washing my hands, I opened the ivermectin tube under bright bathroom lights. Slowly, I pressed the plunger to squeeze out a small dollop of golden goo. A “pea-sized” amount was quickly gathered onto my finger. To avoid the taste, I put my finger at the back of my mouth and smeared it down my throat. But honestly, the flavor wasn’t bad—it tasted like apple.
According to some British doctors, the recommended method was to take a small amount on one day, skip a day, and then take an even smaller dose on the third day. After a month, you’d repeat that schedule. Maybe keep it going indefinitely?
I followed this routine for two months, jotting down notes in a notebook. After a while, though, I got busy and drifted from the regimen. Months later, while digging through my bathroom cabinet, I found that plastic syringe again.
Should I get back to horse paste therapy? I wondered. After some thought, I remembered I had skipped the second dose. It became a sporadic task, as I’d take a dose only when I remembered, which seemed acceptable.
back to saddle
Since then, I’ve noticed some improvements with those unusual post-covid symptoms. Is it ivermectin? Hard to say. Guessing not.
My father was a doctor, an old-school type who believed most healing comes from the body itself—not merely from medication. So maybe that’s what happened here; perhaps my body did its own healing.
Regardless, I don’t regret my experience. It was a bit of fun, and now every time I see a horse, I can’t help but grin, thinking, I’ve enjoyed that tasty apple horse paste too.
