Lu 177 trial.

Steve55777 helped blaze the trail here, in terms of LUTETIUM-177 treatments, and left trail markers ~ for others to follow.

I think it represents a whole new treatment approach ~ and definitely widened the treatment landscape.

I'm thankful you are receiving this new treatment.

I was the first fellow to pursue the "early chemotherapy" treatment plan and start on ZYTIGA, at my treatment center. I was thankful these treatments became available, just when I needed them the most.

My pathway forward was due to hundreds of fellows who participated in clinical trials. I think of their willingness to step up to the plate, and "swing for the fences."

My doctor at Mayo Clinic ~ Dr. Kwon ~ has stated to me, "You have to try new things, if you want to achieve new treatment success."

We'll look forward to your updates here.

And believe me when I say ~ we're going to be here ~ lending support & encouragement.

Here's to the newfound potential of LUTETIUM-177 treatments!

CYCLONE ~ # Iowa State University

No worries for Olmanhunk's spouse.
Lu-177 emits beta particles that have a short range in soft tissue (max 1.7 mm). Hence, the amount of radiation leaving the body will not endanger others but may set off sensitive radiation detectors.
Also note that the half-life of Lu-177 is ~6.55 days.

Post Edited (Sr Sailor) : 9/17/2022 4:04:14 PM (GMT-7)

Good luck! Hoping you have a good response.

Great news about getting into the "right side of the trial"... Sounds like we had similar reaction to the LU-177, though your 5-minute description surprised me a lot. Mine took about 25 minutes via an IV drip which pushed saline into the LU-177 cannister and then another tube brought it from the cannister to my IV.

Where was this done? Curious if there's some new procedure for administering the drug. Let us know where your PSA is after this treatment. I assume each dose is six weeks apart? I do monthly labs. And something to remember: Your first PSA test after treatment may not be what you want -- but give it time. I spoke to a couple guys who actually had a small spike up in PSA before it started to decline. Best of luck!! Steve

While LU -177 doesn’t always work to lower PSA, I’m told it always works for any pain reduction. I know guys at UCLA who had significant improvement with pain. Best of luck!

Olmanhunk, we all wish you only the very best!

Djin

I wonder if that PSA pulse isn't the death throes of the PCa cells. It probably takes time for the system to accomodate the impact.

Sending best!

I value your doctor's words to "give it time" ...

Sometimes, it takes a while for treatments and medications to show their true impact.

I like the idea that dying cells were perhaps creating a massive "PSA dump" in your bloodstream ...

It sounds like you are in good hands & your medical team is rallied around you.

And we are, as well ~ RALLIED AROUND YOU!

Supportive thoughts sent your way ~
CYCLONE ~ # Iowa State University

On my way home now from infusion #2. We drive about an hour and a half for treatment. Today my PSA went from 9.62 down to 8.63. I guess had I not had that PSA 2 weeks in I’d probably be pretty discouraged right now. It has stabilized and went down. In reading Steve55777 thread about his journey I was expecting(hoping) mine would have gone down significantly after the first treatment. Today RO said that PSA isn’t as good of a marker as what a scan will be and said we have to let the treatment work. I am more encouraged than I have been the last couple of weeks.

As far as the procedure, mine does only take about 2 mins. They bring me in to a room and start a saline drip. We wait for the Dr to sign off and then the tech starts the infusion. It is dispersed with a syringe. She then flushes the line and syringe 3 times and I go lay down for an hour as they monitor me. Then I go home. Pretty easy.

Hello, OLMANHUNK ~

I'm thankful the infusion process is fairly straightforward and easy to manage. That's good news, within itself.

I'm quietly cheering ~ seeing that decline in PSA scores. I'm appreciate of your doctor's sage advice ~ reminding us that we have to give treatments time to work.

Once, while going through some chemotherapy infusions, my PSA only dropped by 0.01 since the last infusion. I think my oncologist sensed my disappointment, after seeing some significant drops the other times.

I will never forget his brotherly words to me that day:

"Remember ~ you're in the tough part of the treatment sequence. The infusions are now doing the toughest work of everything we have done, to date. THESE treatments and infusions are attacking the most stubborn & resilient cells. So, hold onto hope, and we'll keep moving forward. Never doubt how far you have come in your treatments already."

That was back in 2014. There's quite a few more candles on my birthday cake, nowadays.

I will NEVER forget how those words "pulled me through" and gave me the inner "fire" to plow through the rest of those treatments.

I hope the words that my doctor shared with me will resonate with you today, as well.

Stay determined, one day at a time, like you have been doing!

In fellowship,
CYCLONE ~ # Iowa State University

Yes they do. They check me right after and before I leave. Machine looks like something out of Ghostbusters. They do use precautions but not as much as I thought they would. Guy comes and checks on me at 15 mins, 15 mins and then 30 mins and he just has a mask on. Shook my hand as I left.

Olmanhunk, hopefully the sickness you are feeling is a sign the treatment is working. You are certainly putting up the good fight. Thank you so much for blazing the trail with this new treatment for the rest of us. The cheerleader in me says, stay positive and GO OLMANHUNK!!!
Jack