Dialysis

[scoot2puff27]

I am a caregiver for my son who is on Dialysis. He has a lot of trouble with the binders drug he takes 3 ties a day. Does anyone have a difficult time with this drug? He goes to the renal center for his treatments .

thanks

[TamekaS NKF Peer Mentor NKF Ambassador]

Which binder? For phosphorus? Because there are many different types of binders for it. What's the name of it? I use Velphoro, it's a chewables like tums, it's cherry flavored, u chew down on it like 5 or 6 times and then swallow it with some juice.

[scoot2puff27 in reply to TamekaS]

Rob takes Renvela 800mg . He was on calcium acetate which made him vomit. Never heard of the Velphoro. Do these drugs all do the same thing when it comes to the Dialysis treatment?

[TamekaS NKF Peer Mentor NKF Ambassador in reply to scoot2puff27]

Yes they all do the same thing...I had trouble with Renvela and calcium acetate...Velphoro was better for me, it's a chewable

[scoot2puff27 in reply to TamekaS]

Thank you I will ask the Doctor about Velphoro

[KidneyCoach NKF Ambassador in reply to scoot2puff27]

The Renvela is a binder. Meaning when taken with meals it binds the phosphorous to it and takes it out of the body through the stool. This helps to remove much of the phosphorous consumed through meals (food). Hopefully this will help in maintaining a better balance of phosphorous. Too much and it upsets the balance of phosphorous and calcium which can then also upset balance of parathyroid hormone. Taking binders is a key point in diet. They can be tough on the body as sometimes people can have upset GI from them. Talk to your doctor if having problems. Blessings

[cgnj]

Hi,

Please ask the doctor if he could switch the tablets and order the Renvela powder packets. check Google for Renvela powder packets for directions. perhaps this will allow your son the ability to take the binder with more ease.

Take care,

cnj

[scoot2puff27 in reply to cgnj]

He tried the powder also but it didn't work well with him. He is on the Renvela 800mg right now. thank you There is a lot to this Dialysis . Trial & error procedure.

[TamekaS NKF Peer Mentor NKF Ambassador in reply to cgnj]

I tried this too...didn't like it...but everybody gotta do what works best for them.

[scoot2puff27 in reply to TamekaS]

You have to try them & see what works. My friend doesn't take them & is doing ok

[scoot2puff27 in reply to TamekaS]

Thank you

[scoot2puff27 in reply to cgnj]

Thank you I will do that

[TamekaS NKF Peer Mentor NKF Ambassador]

I think I'm lost, that was my advice to whomever started this chat. I take Velphoro which is a chewables and I'm very satisfied. Been taking it for a very long time...I couldn't handle the pills or the powder. And as far as ur friend maybe he not at the point of needing, which is good for them, but I can't go without.

[TheOther_MrsRobinson]

my husband is also on Renvela. He previously took Velphoro, but it constipated him. At the time, no one told us about Mirilax being safe, and he was also taking an iron supplement, which also constipates, and could have been the reason for his constipation while he was taking Velphoro. We are currently waiting on our Nephro to request he go back on Velphoro. Its more expensive depending on your insurance, but they do ( as far as we know from when he was on it previously ), offer discount coupons, AND its in chewable form which might be better for him. He should take a fiber supplement like Benefiber ( Metamucil is high in phos and has a bit of calcium, which is bad for CKD/ESRD. ), and if his system gets stubborn he should have Mirilax on hand. Its self to take on a regular basis if needed. Hope this helps !!!

[Rays-wife in reply to TheOther_MrsRobinson]

hubby is on calcium acetate which they bumped up to 2 (was taking only one) with meals. They mentioned Renvela but it is expensive! $100 monthly with insurance. I looked into the coupons, but don't think they work if your on medicare? What do you all pay for your binder? thank you.

[TheOther_MrsRobinson in reply to Rays-wife]

oh ok, that could be it, because we have blue cross EPO. I wasn't thinking about the Medicare aspect regarding the cost of meds, so that may be why your having to pay $100 a month. We will be hanging on to our BC forbad long as possible. We are still on Renvella, and we only pay $5 every 90 days....are you able to get a supplemental insurance ?

[scoot2puff27]

Thank you for the reply. So far he is doing well on the Renvela. Because of the Lupus his protein levels are always a little low. Doctor says this is normal.

[Miracle2012]

Yes I did.I'm post transplant 5yrs.And the binders made me constapated. Talk 2 nutrition about them they should b able 2 help.

[Hidden]

I take two and a half tums when i eat. Really helped keep my levels fown. Gotta watch calcium tho

[Rays-wife in reply to Hidden]

what strength?

[LadyLuv]

Velphoro didn't work for me. Yes, it's a chewable, but most of went into my teeth. I take one tablet, Calc Acetate, at dinner, now.

[Bronco1964]

Hi