#17-3 THINGS I WISH SOMEONE TOLD ME ABOUT COLCHICINE

Colchicine

Hey everyone!

Colchicine is a treatment that is very often prescribed to treat pericarditis. I would like to share some thoughts about it, without this obviously constituting medical advice.

It is a medicine made from a flower that is mainly used to treat gout. I took it at the beginning of my pericarditis. First, 6 weeks. After 6 weeks off, my condition worsened, and a cardiologist prescribed me another 6 weeks of colchicine. After another 3 weeks stop, and an attempt at cardiac revalidation (which I had to stop after 2 sessions due to the severity of my symptoms - it was a very bad idea!), I took colchicine again, this time for a full year. So I took colchicine for a total of 15 months.

Sometimes, doctors will prescribe a larger dose during the first 2 or 3 days of treatment before continuing with a constant dose. I did both (with and without a load socket), and I didn't really see a difference.

1 / TOXICITY

Colchicine is an extremely toxic product. It is therefore necessary to check the amount and interactions with other products that could increase its toxicity to the gut, liver and kidneys.

The first symptom of such toxicity is diarrhea. If colchicine causes diarrhea, it is toxic. The dose must therefore be reduced.

In my case, during the first 6-week series, I was given a dosage that was valid for a person weighing 80 kilos, while I was less than 50!

To treat gout, colchicine lasts 7 to 10 days. But for pericarditis, some patients take colchicine for months or even years. We must therefore remain very careful.

Among the interactions known to physicians are certain antibiotics. Concomitant intake should absolutely be avoided.

2 / NAC

NAC (N-acetylcysteine) is the antidote to colchicine. It is given in cases of colchicine overdose (such as a suicide attempt, for example).

NAC is often recommended for cases like mine, i.e. pericarditis due to a virus or coronavirus, to improve the body's production of glutathione. I myself stopped the colchicine because the doctors told me it was no longer helping. I also wanted to take NAC to see if it could help me heal. So I made sure not to take these two products at the same time.

3 / GRAPEFRUIT

Grapefruit contains properties that create a risk of overdose when taken with certain medications, including colchicine. Carefully read the contraindications which are mentioned in the leaflet attached to the medicines. Check the ingredients of fruit juices and cocktails to avoid side effects caused by grapefruit.

BONUS TIP

Always do your own checks. A simple Google search often yields information on the interactions between different products and any warnings. In some cases, however, I had to make my own experiences. For example, despite my initial concerns, I have not had any problems taking colchicine with Coenzyme-Q10, vitamins D and C, etc. Sometimes it takes caution, daring and courage to manage a disease like pericarditis, especially when it becomes chronic. I admire your determination.

IF YOU NAVIGATE BETWEEN CAUTION, DARING AND COURAGE, KNOW THAT YOU ARE A HERO.

Pericordially yours,

Vali