I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: Amanda From OZ on August 18, 2006, 07:16:22 PM

Title: Sensipar - The wonder Drug!
Post by: Amanda From OZ on August 18, 2006, 07:16:22 PM

Hello,
 
I wanted to know how many of you are on sensipar? i have been on it for 6 months, through much trail and error...My PTH is sitting exactly where the doctors want it. :)

Amanda

Title: Re: Sensipar - The wonder Drug!
Post by: Dr. Evil on August 18, 2006, 07:24:54 PM

Good!

I have heard it works good.  I have tired it on a few pts....some have too much nausea.  Others can't afford it.  Make sure they watch your calcium, as I have seen it drop like a rock!

Title: Re: Sensipar - The wonder Drug!
Post by: Zach on August 18, 2006, 08:36:04 PM

Quote from: Dr. Evil on August 18, 2006, 07:24:54 PM

Good!

I have heard it works good.  I have tired it on a few pts....some have too much nausea.  Others can't afford it.  Make sure they watch your calcium, as I have seen it drop like a rock!

Why does Sensipar lower serum calcium?

Title: Re: Sensipar - The wonder Drug!
Post by: Dr. Evil on August 18, 2006, 08:57:12 PM

Damn Zach.....now you are making me work after hours as well!

Short answer: we don't fully know.
Longer answer: Senspar is a "calcimimetc"...it makes the Calcium sensing receptors in the body (on the Parathyroid gland, in the gut, etc...) more sensitive to calcium.  So it fools the various organs of the body to think the Calcium level is higher than it really is.  In turn, this tells those organs to turn off the signals and mechanisms to raise calcium.  So instead of having PTH levels rise, they now fall.  Instead of the gut absorbing more calcium, it absorbs less, leading to lower calcium levels in the blood.

But the flip side is that this may go too far and the body may need higher blood calcium levels, but with sensipar, it is fooled into thinking the calcium level is OK.

Truth is that we have only begun to understand Calcium, phosphorus, and PTH regulation.

But it makes a good story though..... ;)

Title: Re: Sensipar - The wonder Drug!
Post by: Amanda From OZ on August 18, 2006, 09:50:00 PM

Yes the nausea can get bad... but thats why you should eat something small before bed and take it... then go straight to bed... Thats what works for me

Title: Re: Sensipar - The wonder Drug!
Post by: BigSky on August 19, 2006, 04:06:56 AM

Sensipar works great.  However it is way overpriced IMO.

Recent cost of 30 day supply of 90 mg. here--$ 893.00. :o

Title: Re: Sensipar - The wonder Drug!
Post by: Amanda From OZ on August 19, 2006, 04:16:12 AM

Luckily i live in The best place in the World..... Australia... i pay $20 or something like that for them . On the PBS.

Title: Re: Sensipar - The wonder Drug!
Post by: Zach on August 19, 2006, 06:20:23 AM

Quote from: Amanda From OZ on August 19, 2006, 04:16:12 AM

Luckily i live in The best place in the World..... Australia... i pay $20 or something like that for them . On the PBS.

But are you able to travel and receive hemodialysis anywhere in Oz, anytime you want to go on holiday?     >:D

Just razzing you ... no offense.

Title: Re: Sensipar - The wonder Drug!
Post by: Amanda From OZ on August 19, 2006, 07:14:02 AM

ha ha.. good point... i wouldn't have a clue about those policies in OZ. :) Probably not..... OK you win :P