Binders - how quickly does the use of Tums change lab values?

[Deanne]

Confession time: I was really bad about not taking Tums while my parents were visiting. I'm pretty new to needing to take a phosphorus binder and I'm only supposed to be taking them with my biggest meal for now. It's hard to get into new mealtime habits and especially so when my parents were a distraction. I'm trying to get back on track and be consistent. My next neph appointment is at the end of the month so I'll get my labs run in about two weeks. If I'm really consistent with Tums, will that be enough time to show the difference?

[Cordelia]

I remember when I started taking Tums, my labs showed a huge difference in about a week, pretty quickly actually, for me.

Good luck!

[Whamo]

I just got my labs, and for the third month in a row, they were all in the target range.  I use the "antacid tablets" I get at Target that are Tums clones, and they come in assorted berry flavors.  It costs $2.50 or something like that for 96 chewable tablets.  They're cheaper than eating binders, and a lot more palatable.

[Willis]

Tums (or clones) worked great for me but then my calcium levels went through the roof. I still have trouble controlling my phosphorus but the combination of high calcium and high (or close to high) phosphorus causes horrible itching over my entire body. I use Fosrenol as a binder now and it supposedly doesn't add any calcium. Now if I can just control my craving for cheese! 

 

[Cordelia]

Have you tried Brie cheese, Willis? Its like half the amount of phosphorus I think that regular cheese.