V High Calcium Levels In Blood

[mayennaise]

MIL is 81 and has breast cancer and secondary bone cancer. Her calcium levels were really quite high a couple of months ago and she was given an infusion of (I think) bio-phosphates over a four hour period and it sorted her out.
Before she was given this treatment she became very sleepy and confused. These symptoms cleared within a few hours of the infusion.
Her levels became very high again this weekend and she was admitted to hospital at midnight on Friday. She was on intravenous fluids yesterday and she was given another infusion today, but tonight she appears to be even more confused and doesn't know where she is. How long should we expect before the treatment has any effect??

[237SJ]

When my Mum had breast cancer in her bones she had the bisphosphonate (Zometa) infusion every month. That is the usual treatment. Your mother in law might have been dehydrated which is why she felt better after the first infusion. How long has she had this illness? Has she had a brain scan?

[mayennaise]

She used to have monthly infusions of zometa but they stopped giving them to her because her kidneys were being badly affected. As far as I know she hasn't had a brain scan.

[mayennaise]

she was diagnosed nearly five years ago - the oncologist said she could have had it for several years prior to the diagnosis as she had no obvious symptoms - she thought she needed a new hip because of the pain in that area - it turned out to be the secondary bone cancer.

[237SJ]

When they discontinued the Zometa, did they switch to a Denosumab injection? That is what they give when the kidneys can no longer tolerate the Zometa.

[mayennaise]

Nope - no replacement for the Zometa was given. Mind you, she's on so many tablets its suprising she doesn't rattle!! But that definitely isn't one one of them.

[237SJ]

A quick google says that symptoms should be relieved within 12 to 48 hours but maybe it depends if anything else is going on. They say that the average life expectancy after breast cancer goes into the bones is 24 to 36 months and an Oncologist told me that when someone has had that for a long time, the brain tends to be where the disease goes. I don`t want to be pessimistic but confusion can be a symptom of that. It might just be that she needs to respond to the drip though so you will have to see. One thing I learned about that disease is to expect the unexpected. Good luck.

[mayennaise]

Thanks 237 - she's up north and I'm down south. Hubby has been up there a week - he goes every three weeks to give his sister a break - I'm getting all this info second hand! I did 'google' it but didn't find the comprehensive answer that you supplied. much appreciated.

[mayennaise]

Update: Monday afternoon - she's on the mend! Infusion has had the desired effect and her faculties have returned! Phew!!