Change of Binder!

[billybags]

 Local GP sent us a script yesterday for a different binder, apparently hospital has changed it. Have been on Renegel for about a year and doing ok they have changed it with out telling us to Phosex. Whats this one like? I told my husband not to take it until he has had a word with his neph.

[KICKSTART]

I dont have any luck with binders but since ive been on hemo i dont need any ! As far as i know Phosex is ok , i think its the latest version !

[nycrtst85]

Becareful with binders  i stopped taking everything they give me,when i did take it i could not pee or use the bathroom for one whole day.i took a binder once and i started getting muscle spasms wtf!!!ask your doctor about natural medicine,good luck because they get paid a lot for prescribing those chemical based medications with dangerous side effects.

[sullidog]

Never heard of that one. I would ask them why they would change a binder without telling you about it first and why it needs to be changed.

[RichardMEL]

Never heard of that one. I would ask them why they would change a binder without telling you about it first and why it needs to be changed.

Agree. If Renagel was working OK why the need for change? It probably comes down to being cheaper or something.

KS - I'm surprised that you claim you don't need binders now that you're on hemo - I would have thought it would be the opposite to PD given Hemo only allowing you 3 sessions a week to clear stuff so even more reason to control phosphates in your blood. Maybe you're a lucky one with low phos or something.

[chiefsfan301]

I was on binders (tums) until I started D.

[KICKSTART]

Yeah RM , if you remember when i was on PD i tried every binder under the sun ! Now on hemo im always within the limits , dunno if ive changed my diet that much but now i dont need binders ! 

[aharris2]

Local GP sent us a script yesterday for a different binder, apparently hospital has changed it. Have been on Renegel for about a year and doing ok they have changed it with out telling us to Phosex. Whats this one like? I told my husband not to take it until he has had a word with his neph.

Phosex is calcium acetate (seems to be the same as PhosLo, marketed here in the US).
Renagel is being superceded here by Renvela, supposedly because it is easier on the stomach.

Calcium containing binders are contraindicated for those with high calcium, conversely, they may be a good choice for those with low calcium.

Billybags - forgive me if you have already taked about this, but if your husband's calcium runs low, perhaps that's why he was switched to Phosex. I concur - ask the neph, but sooner, not later. Don't let your husband go without binders!

I see the suggestion of natural medicine for high phosphorus. Before one starts playing with phosphorus, you need to be aware of your labs and what the numbers mean. Coupled with the suggestion was to ask the doctor. Good, make it the nephrologist. But be careful (I don't know of any natural phosphorus binder, but that doesn't mean there aren't any.) Phosphorus cannot be allowed to run wild - high phosphorus, high pth destroys bones (remarkably quickly), cripples, and severely impacts quality of life.

[BigSky]

In the US Renagel is being discontinued and Renvula is taking its place because Renvula improves dialysis patents  bicarbonate levels.

It maybe they are discontinuing it elsewhere and coupled with the low calcium the doctor decided to try something different.   Maybe the doctor is getting a kickback from the pharm. company for the switch.  LOL

[billybags]

Thanks guys, We have picked up the script but Alan will be having (hopefully) op on Thursday and he will ask the neph then, before he takes them. Nothing was said about changing it, it has come out of the blue so to speak. I also notice that phosex is calcium based and Renagel is not. With Alan having heart problems I want to know if these will affect his arteries. I will keep you informed.

[RichardMEL]

Interesting to hear Renagel is being discontinued. My doc just gave me a new script for it. I have no problems with it and it seems to be very good for me. They took me off the alutabs and caltrate in favour of it a few years back because my Al and Ca levels were a bit high and the non calcium binder is supposed to be better - it certainly has been for me.

KS - Sorry I forgot - my bad.

[billybags]

Spoke to neph about the script Phosex, he didn't know any thing about it, said it was a mistake and to carry on taking Renagel. Some times you don't always see your main neph. So away Phosex and hello again Renagel.