Today upon lightly researching about the use of my phosphate binder Renvela, I came across its other variant Renagel. While the former one is Sevelamer carbonate, the other one is hydrochloride and the difference bet ween the two is that some patients are or not responding with their use. Some patients just doesn't think that Renagel was working for them in a way that it gives them upset stomach while other patients think that Renvela is better while also in others they are not as effective.
Both medicines for binding phosphate are good but the issue here are their prices which is heavy on the budget considering that I have to take them with meals. Now I have another option of taking Calcium Carbonate but I have to take large amounts of it, say 5,000 mg for binding the phosphorus in a 3-ounces chicken meat. That is about 9 tablets of my Calcium supplement that I take everyday as well with meals.
Now the side effects of sevelamer is binding some aluminum and calcium but also fat-soluble vitamins as well like vitamin D, A, E, and K. And on the other hand it also lowers serum LDL which is the bad cholesterol. As you can see there is a mix of advantages and disadvantages of taking my current phosphate binder.
Whereas if I would take Calcium Carbonate I needed higher amounts of it which is impossible as it would be not economical, will cause me constipation and overdosage, plus it calcifies heart arteries and the lungs.
So I am thinking that despite my efforts to maintain or reach my health goals there are still bad things that will happen. The costs of the medicine, the side-effects, and the serious ill-effects of their long-term use is just too much for me to think about. I will just do what I can just to stay afloat on my current situation and with the mercy of God maybe it will all not be as bad as I would think it will get in the end.