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Long term Calcitriol/Rocaltrol

Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2004 7:17 am
by debbie
Is anyone on calcitriol long term? I've been on it daily for 6 months and every other day before that for nearly a year. Originally I took it to suppress my PTH, I had a second lot of PT surgery in March which has failed again as PTH is not only present in my neck but somewher else which hasn't been found. I have a lot of bone damage now and need my knees replaced asap but cannot undergo the surgery whilst the PTH is wrecking my bones still. I am getting concerned about long term use of calcitriol and would appreciate some opinions please. Thanks

Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2004 2:30 pm
by Gilly
Calcitriol is a vitamin D supplement and is used in cases like ours to regulate the on/off button on the PT Gland. I take alphacalcidol every dyalisis day, I used to take it every day, which is the same thing, I believe. I have had one op on my neck but am awaiting a second op on my chest as that is where they found a fifth gland below the breast bone.

Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2004 6:46 pm
by LadySycamore
Hello debbie.

The only thing that I can think of is that if your calcium levels started getting too high. At that point, your doctor should take you off of the medication.

I don't know if this is available in the UK yet, but does your doc know about a medication called Sensipar? It has been approved here in the States, and it's supposed to not only lower the PTH, but the phosphorus and calcium too.

Official Site:
http://www.sensipar.com/

Drug Name: Sensipar (cinacalcet):
http://www.centerwatch.com/patient/drugs/dru852.html

Perhaps you can ask about this to your doctor and see what he/she says.

Good luck.