Potaba/Pentox side effects and case history

[foxmanus]

    My uro (40 yrs practicing, old school but I really like him) first put me on Potaba and I didn't notice many side effects, surely nothing negative other than ringing in my ears. I believe it gave some improvement with the inflammation.  I went back for my follow up several months later and told him about the recommendations here about Pentox, he looked into it, warned me of the side effects; and said give it a try.  Well I gave it a try; immediately after discontinuing the Potaba; and after the third pill I wished I had never heard of it.  I said to myself I would rather just give up and take the deformity.  First one gave me some light headed and foggy side effects;  by the third one I was having complete vertigo unless my head was upright and bad upset stomach, cold sweats.  It was a tough 6 day withdrawal to feel normal again.  Stopping the Potaba at the same time may have been part of the problem?

   At my next follow up I told him how bad it was but he was very interested in having me give it another try by easing into the dosage.  I started back out on 1/2 a tablet 2X per day.  Man this is some mean stuff but I have been able to tolerate it very well after about 3 weeks and see no problems continuing the 3X per day dosage (but I can always tell I'm on something).  In fact I missed one and felt worse until I got back on schedule.  May be coincidental but I can say now there is an unmistakable improvement in my pain and comfort level is continuing to improve quickly.  Inflammation is improved  This acute phase started late July of last year as ref with significant pain most any time.  This is the first improvement of significance since this started for me.  I'll update in a few months if I do/don't see more improvement.  FYI I have been taking Coq10 and ACAR co-currently the whole time.  My curve has now stabilized at 42 deg to the left.   For decades it was about 30 deg with no pain and I have never done anything about it until now.  I'm 40 yrs old.  To the younger trolls on here all I can say is IF IT HURTS DON'T DO IT.  I'd likely be in a lot better shape for me and my wife right now.  Take care of yourselves.    

[james1947]

A few precautions while taking Pentox:
* Always with meals.
* Use the slow release kind
* Never broke the pill
* Take the last one no later than 6 PM
* Start with one 400 mg daily, increase the dosage gradually when the side effects are diminishing.  
By the way, we have not too much positive reports on Potaba use.

James