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Samarium 153 Nuclear Medicine

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Posted 11/30/2012 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
Next week I will undergo an infusion of Samarium 153, a radioactive material akin to calcium that the bones will take up at "repair" sites, and the proximity to the radiation will kill bone met cancer cells (with beta radiation). It's not "alpharadin" which used alpha particles, but is similar in application.

I would be interested in anyone else's stories about how this nuclear medicine worked (or didn't) for them. I am hoping it will relieve some of the bone pain from my extensive mets. So I'll tell *MY* story here on this thread; please tell me yours!

Posted 11/30/2012 7:28 PM (GMT 0)
Wishing you good luck, I am sure it will help you. I wonder if you can still qualify for Alpharadin later, as the two have different treatment modalities (alpha vs beta radiation). Never lose hope, so many powerful weapons are out there...
Posted 11/30/2012 10:08 PM (GMT 0)
Best of wishes for success in your newest treatment venture.

I hope it erases the pain...
Posted 11/30/2012 10:31 PM (GMT 0)
Sequoiaranger,

I know you have been on a really rough road. I sure hope this alleviates as much (or all) of the pain as possible. I also hope Xtandi can make a big difference for you. Best wishes!

SC

Posted 12/1/2012 12:21 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the good wishes, all. GOTTA one of these days be in that 80% where the treatment was effective!!!! GOTTA!
Posted 12/1/2012 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
sequoiaranger

Fingers and toes crossed! Prayers and best thoughts on your way.

How many treatments will you go through?

Hugs

Bud

We will beat this crap
Posted 12/1/2012 6:13 PM (GMT 0)
Raddad--Samarium's effectiveness "lasts" for about four months (actual half-life is only 48 hours). It's possible to get sequential doses, I suppose. It's palliative, and only really meant to ease the pain of bone mets by reducing the bone tumors causing the pain---good enough for me!!
Posted 12/7/2012 9:51 PM (GMT 0)
Got my dose of 77 millicuries of Samarium 153 yesterday. The "literature" I had read spoke of a "bag-type" infusion of several hours. The actual infusion took only a minute or so by direct injection. I was warned to be careful of any "stray" urine and to flush twice (reminding me of that old political joke on some toilets.."Flush twice, it's a long way to Wash. DC" etc. ) to keep the radiation from lingering. Lots of water intake; lots of urination. Within 12 hours or so the Samarium is snuggling up to the bone-cancer cells like a noisy neighbor playing its "radio" too loud. The rest is excreted. If the sewer-processing plant had a Geiger counter....!!

Possible side effect is a temporary "flare" in bone pain within days after infusion. I *THINK* I am going through a little of that now. Hopefully in a few MORE days the pain will diminish to "earlier" levels. I would LOVE to get off opiates (the ultimate "prize" being that maybe NSAIDs will be all that is needed).

I will keep y'all informed!

Posted 12/8/2012 2:37 AM (GMT 0)
Make sure to stay on a good bowel regimen while taking the opiates. Don't need any added discomfort.

My husband is now off opiates and using Tramadol to control his pain. Maybe the NSAIDs will be in your future plans.

Best wishes for pain free days.

Zimac
Posted 12/8/2012 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
Hang in there.. I hope this gives some much needed relief.

T

Posted 12/8/2012 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
Zimac and z-monster--thanks.

>Make sure to stay on a good bowel regimen while taking the opiates. Don't need any added discomfort.<

Un-fortunately that horse has already left the barn. I have had some SEVERE problems despite laxatives. The "backed-up" lower bowels also produce a gag-reflex and severe nausea that make it difficult if not impossible to take oral medicines and keep 'em down. Sheesh!!

>Best wishes for pain free days.<

Just ONE, ONCE IN A WHILE would be nice!!

Posted 12/9/2012 9:27 AM (GMT 0)
I hope you will have great success with this new treatment.
Kathy
Posted 12/12/2012 7:35 PM (GMT 0)
KJ63--Thanks!

I've now been on Samarium 153 for a week. I *THINK* I am beginning to feel effects. I always assess the "state of the pain" first thing in the morning before gulping my pain pills, but today I am in "discomfort" but not pain for the first time in weeks. GO SAMARIUM! Dunno if a good night's sleep contributed or not (can't hurt), but I am delighted that I only feel "bad", not "terrible" this morning.

Still having trouble eating sufficiently. I take Compozine AND Zofran, two anti-nausea pills working on different "frequencies", but urpped up my dinner after two bites went down. "Lunch" was OK. Still haven't found the "foolproof" formula for timing my meals with such a "delicate" stomach. I need to have some "food" in me for some of the opiates, etc., to AVOID vomiting, yet.....!!

When I have a "delicate throat", too, i.e. one reluctant to pass pills (about 1 of 5 get "caught" and cause havoc when they get thrown back up), the massive Xtandi pills can't be taken, either, so I get "behind" in that respect, too. WAAAAAAY to many "issues" lately!!!

At the risk of "too much information", I have had two satisfactory bowel movements this week, so feel "good to go" sorta!

So I am a work in progress, "worried", but plugging away. (oops! Shouldn't use the word "plug"!)

Posted 12/12/2012 8:52 PM (GMT 0)
I hope you do better and enjoy your Christmas and holidays, amazing at what patients have to consider in treatments, side effects and all that.
Posted 12/13/2012 3:37 AM (GMT 0)
Two BM's this week. Maybe not enough. I good bowel regimen consists of Colace, Senna, maybe Metamucil. If that's not working maybe some Miralax. Still not working, Lactulose. Got to get it out before you put anything in. Hope this helps.

Are there any medications you can throw into a blender? Maybe a protein shake with some pills mixed in - yummy. At least you you may be able to get it down. How about the old apple sauce trick. Add the pills to the apple sauce.

Is the nausea a SE of the Samarium? Glad to see that the Samarium may be helping with your pain.

You're in my thoughts and prayers.

Zimac
Posted 12/13/2012 11:35 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Zufus and Zimac (gee, sound like good names for medicines!).

>Two BM's this week. Maybe not enough. Got to get it out before you put anything in. Hope this helps.<

Two good ones, two wimpy ones. I haven't been "inputting" hardly anything, so it doesn't surprise me that "output" is minimal.

Today I barfed three different, spread-out times. I'm taking anti-nausea drugs, but...!!! Doc is pretty sure it's not withdrawl from opiates. Yes, perhaps the RADIATION is having that side-effect, but I am feeling much less bone pain, so the MAIN effect is...in effect. WHAT A "HIGH" it was to NOT take opiates yesterday!

We have company coming next week (and the next). What a lousy time to have such body issues. Well, chin up and persevere. Wutchagonnado otherwise??
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