I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions) => Topic started by: brenda on January 05, 2007, 09:37:35 PM

Title: Zemplar user's out there?
Post by: brenda on January 05, 2007, 09:37:35 PM: I'm trying to learn as much about this drug (Zemplar) as I can technically. What I need to know is personal experience's on it. I have been turned down by our heath care system here in Alberta. The drug has not gone through all the Canadian hoops yet but it's something my Dr. feel's would greatly help me. What they are doing for me right now just isn't working. I had 5 parathyroids instead of 4 and they cannot locate the 5th. Pre surgery my PTH was 1500, post surgery 650, now 10 weeks later it over 2000. That's not controlling anything. If you use this drug please tell me about it.

Thanks, and Take Care.

Brenda
Title: Re: Zemplar user's out there?
Post by: Zach on January 05, 2007, 09:43:20 PM: Of the three Vit D meds (IVs) used to help control PTH, (Hectorol and Calcijex are the other two) Zemplar may be the most expensive.
Title: Re: Zemplar user's out there?
Post by: Epoman on January 05, 2007, 11:22:05 PM: WRONG SECTION ::)

This section is reserved for "Introductions" As stated in this boards description:

"Introduce yourself here, tell us your situation. Please create a new post. Please do not ask questions in this section, just introduce yourself."

Thread moved to proper section. "F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions)". Please read the boards descriptions, so you post in the correct section.

- Epoman
Owner/Admin
Title: Re: Zemplar user's out there?
Post by: Bajanne on January 06, 2007, 01:15:16 AM: It is really coincidental that there is this post about Zemplar! The nurse told me yesterday that my neph has increased my dose of Zemplar and reduced my Epogen. I was saying to myself that I was going to do a search to find out exactly what these things do.
Title: Re: Zemplar user's out there?
Post by: kitkatz on January 06, 2007, 12:41:19 PM: Zemplar is Vitamin D. It is supposed to help with the balance of the PTH, phosphorous and calcium in the body. THey told me I was crazy when I reported Zemplar made me itch! They said it was impossible. Hah! It did make me itch and I refused to let them give me it. I am weird!
Title: Re: Zemplar user's out there?
Post by: MooseMom on February 01, 2007, 02:34:54 PM: I take Zemplar as a preventative measure. My PTH is normal, but my neph is big on taking preventative measures. I've been taking it for only about 3 months or so. I take it only twice a week; it is hideously expensive, but my mail order pharmacy guys were careless as usual and sent me too many. The directions said "take one twice a day" instead of "one twice a week", so I essentially got a whole mess of them free.

I don't think I've had any adverse effects. It's just one more pill I have to take.

The name makes me laugh, though. "Zemplar" sounds like an M-class planet in Star Trek. I always announce, "Today is a Zemplar day". Like that stomach medicine "Zelnorm". Our local hospital is called "Delnor". There's a whole galaxy out here! ;D
Title: Re: Zemplar user's out there?
Post by: brenda on February 02, 2007, 10:16:19 PM: Just an update: my PTH levels are still sky high and now we find out my Vit D levels are very low. As of sunday no more Alpha-one. I'm going to try Calcijex and see how that goes. The calcium acetate is holding my calcium and phos very well so hopefully it won't change that.
Title: Re: Zemplar user's out there?
Post by: renal30yrs on February 03, 2007, 08:21:37 AM: (They (my HD center) is wondering about my pth level. Ever since they started injecting a small dosage of zemplar my pth have dropped precipitously. As of last night it was 30. They are wondering what could cause that.
Title: Re: Zemplar user's out there?
Post by: kitkatz on February 03, 2007, 12:54:56 PM: Zemplar will help to lower the PTH levels. Surprises me your center does not know this fact.
Title: Re: Zemplar user's out there?
Post by: MyssAnne on March 08, 2007, 03:59:15 PM: I'm on Zemplar every day. Yes, it is hideously expensive. But it works, so I'm on it. Ugh.
Title: Re: Zemplar user's out there?
Post by: brenda on March 08, 2007, 08:36:51 PM: Well I've have given up on the Zemplar. Awaiting to hear about sensipar.
Title: Re: Zemplar user's out there?
Post by: kellyt on October 03, 2007, 02:44:49 PM: I take Zemplar Mon, Tues, Wed and Thurs. It is the highest of my medication co-pays ($50) and it's not available in the three-month supply (at least not through Humana). My neph. is happy with the results. Personally, I can't tell you anything. Up to this point I've been somewhat in "denial" of my disease. I've been extremely compliant with meds and doctor visits, etc. But I never paid much attention to my lab work and levels. But after reading everyone's posts here and seeing how you all know so much about your levels and disease, I'm definitely going to start paying attention.

Good Luck
Title: Re: Zemplar user's out there?
Post by: Adam_W on October 03, 2007, 03:33:11 PM: I used to be on oral Zemplar thee times/week, but my insurance stopped paying for it and I can't afford to pay for it myself. My neph switched me to oral Hectoral every day, and I haven't had any problems with it.

Adam
Title: Re: Zemplar user's out there?
Post by: paris on October 03, 2007, 05:49:14 PM: I take oral Hectoral every other day. Started at twice a week, numbers continued to go up, so Dr. said take it everyday. Made me majorly sick, so now every other day and it seems to be working ok. Numbers still a little high, but not too bad. It is the highest co-pay I have. Thank God I have a co-pay!
Title: Re: Zemplar user's out there?
Post by: Bajanne on October 03, 2007, 08:20:35 PM: Zemplar is free here. I suppose it is like the dialysis situation - if you have insurance, you pay; no insurance, it is free.