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Somatuline Autogel (lanreotide) 120 mg. Where, How and after.

Posted by blackhluk @blackhluk, Sep 18 1:04pm

Dear NETs Community,
Hello everyone,
I would like to share my experience and some confusion regarding my first three doses of Somatuline over the past three months.
I received two injections in the UAE and my third injection today, September 18, 2026, in Turkey. What has confused me is that I have received different opinions and different injection techniques in each country.
In the UAE, the injections were given in the upper part of my buttock. After each injection, I could feel a small lump or depot under the skin, which remained noticeable for several weeks. In fact, I can still feel a small lump from a previous injection even after two months.
Today in Turkey, I noticed they usually administer the injection in the abdomen or the upper arm/shoulder area, similar to some vaccines. Because of my previous experience, I asked the healthcare staff to use the same approach as in the UAE and inject it in the upper buttock area. However, the injection was given higher up, closer to my waist. It was also administered much faster than my previous injections. I only felt a brief stinging sensation, and unlike before, I do not feel any lump or depot under the skin.
As a result, I am feeling confused and unsure about which technique is considered correct, or whether these different experiences are all normal. Has anyone else had similar experiences with Somatuline injections? Where is your injection usually given, and do you typically feel a lump under the skin afterward?
I would really appreciate hearing about your experiences so that we can all learn from each other.
Thank you very much.

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blackhluk | @blackhluk | Sep 20 2:55pm
In reply to @cmhgiddy24 "Hi, I am no longer Somatostatin avid, but had Somatuline Depot injections monthly from 1/24 to..." + (show)
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Hi, I am no longer Somatostatin avid, but had Somatuline Depot injections monthly from 1/24 to 3/26, always from the same place and always in muscle near top of buttocks on left side only because I have a bladder stim implanted on the right. I totally agree with using cold spray and going slow. I had different nurses most times, but methods were similar and all were very conscientious of method. My injections were taken out of the frig an hour prior to my arrival. I do still have 3 lumps on my left side, tho, that show up in my abdominal MRIs.

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@cmhgiddy24 hi and thank you for sharing please let us know what is your current situation, I hope that should be a good news you stopped the injection

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blackhluk | @blackhluk | Sep 20 3:16pm
In reply to @maeve115 "I have received about thirty shots. Seems that thirty minutes out of the refrigerator is not..." + (show)
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I have received about thirty shots. Seems that thirty minutes out of the refrigerator is not long enough so that my usual nurse makes sure it is out for more than an hour. Since I was the first person to receive a Lanreotide shot I cut, pasted and printed out this information and we discussed it. Once a new person wanted to pinch rather than spread the skin. Fortunately another nurse stepped in, gave the shot and I presumed later instructed her.
https://www.ncf.net/post/practical-tips-for-patients-on-the-shot-somatostatin-analog
Here is a simple video for those administering the shot.


Only once did my favorite nurse and I have difficulty. She inserted the needle into the bump (scar tissue) and we had to remove it and start all over again. Yikes! We both felt bad for the other! Now she feels for a new spot each time and teaches others on how to administer.

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@maeve115 Thank you so much for your informative information, I will definitely us this video ita easier then explain and argure the process, please let us know if you had diarrhea as a reaction of the medicine.

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blackhluk | @blackhluk | Sep 20 3:19pm
In reply to @jlsgt "Best to allow 45 minutes for room temp. Sometimes these shots are taken out of fridge..." + (show)
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Best to allow 45 minutes for room temp. Sometimes these shots are taken out of fridge at start of day by my care team. Then when patients show up for their shot, its ready to go.

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@jlsgt I have been worried it would spoil the injection if it was left outside the fridge too long

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blackhluk | @blackhluk | Sep 20 3:22pm

I want to share something with you guys just came to my mind, I had 2 times severe diarrhea out of 3 shots and both 2 times I had it with unexpercinced nurse! Do I think right or is is just by chance.

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cmhgiddy24 | @cmhgiddy24 | Sep 21 2:56pm
In reply to @blackhluk "@cmhgiddy24 hi and thank you for sharing please let us know what is your current situation,..." + (show)
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@cmhgiddy24 hi and thank you for sharing please let us know what is your current situation, I hope that should be a good news you stopped the injection

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@blackhluk Hi, PNET primary, liver mets, grade 2. Had distal pancreatectomy and liver surgery as 1st treatment 3 years ago, my pancreas is now currently clear, but still have multi focal tumors in my liver. They discontinued Somatuline Depot because my body was no longer uptaking somatostatin and I was having progression, thus also no more dotatate PET scans (nothing shows up on them yet do on MRIs), and I can't do PRRT either. Was told from the getgo this could happen. I had some more progression recently so my treatment was changed to 5 cycles of CAPTEM chemo. Still a little progression going on so I am getting TAE (Trans Arterial Embolization) soon. More than you wanted to know I'm sure ;-), but thx for asking after me! While the injections do have some side effects, they are a pretty easy way to go in my opinion. I hope your treatment goes well for you ,<3!

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Turkey, Volunteer Mentor | @tomrennie | Sep 21 3:11pm
In reply to @cmhgiddy24 "@blackhluk Hi, PNET primary, liver mets, grade 2. Had distal pancreatectomy and liver surgery as 1st..." + (show)
Profile picture for cmhgiddy24 @cmhgiddy24

@blackhluk Hi, PNET primary, liver mets, grade 2. Had distal pancreatectomy and liver surgery as 1st treatment 3 years ago, my pancreas is now currently clear, but still have multi focal tumors in my liver. They discontinued Somatuline Depot because my body was no longer uptaking somatostatin and I was having progression, thus also no more dotatate PET scans (nothing shows up on them yet do on MRIs), and I can't do PRRT either. Was told from the getgo this could happen. I had some more progression recently so my treatment was changed to 5 cycles of CAPTEM chemo. Still a little progression going on so I am getting TAE (Trans Arterial Embolization) soon. More than you wanted to know I'm sure ;-), but thx for asking after me! While the injections do have some side effects, they are a pretty easy way to go in my opinion. I hope your treatment goes well for you ,<3!

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@cmhgiddy24 Sorry to hear about your progression. Even though it wasn't a complete surprise, dealing with its reality is never easy. At least not for me. I also have PNET with liver metastasis. Do you know when about you will be getting the TAE?

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Mike | @dadcue | Sep 21 3:50pm
In reply to @cmhgiddy24 "@blackhluk Hi, PNET primary, liver mets, grade 2. Had distal pancreatectomy and liver surgery as 1st..." + (show)
Profile picture for cmhgiddy24 @cmhgiddy24

@blackhluk Hi, PNET primary, liver mets, grade 2. Had distal pancreatectomy and liver surgery as 1st treatment 3 years ago, my pancreas is now currently clear, but still have multi focal tumors in my liver. They discontinued Somatuline Depot because my body was no longer uptaking somatostatin and I was having progression, thus also no more dotatate PET scans (nothing shows up on them yet do on MRIs), and I can't do PRRT either. Was told from the getgo this could happen. I had some more progression recently so my treatment was changed to 5 cycles of CAPTEM chemo. Still a little progression going on so I am getting TAE (Trans Arterial Embolization) soon. More than you wanted to know I'm sure ;-), but thx for asking after me! While the injections do have some side effects, they are a pretty easy way to go in my opinion. I hope your treatment goes well for you ,<3!

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@cmhgiddy24

"They discontinued Somatuline Depot because my body was no longer uptaking somatostatin and I was having progression, thus also no more dotatate PET scans (nothing shows up on them yet do on MRIs), and I can't do PRRT either."
----------------------------
My Dotatate Scan in 2026 showed a primary SBNET with 3 "loco regional" lymph nodes involved and one "distant" site. I got the impression that a Dotatate scan would show more than the regular CT scan which first reported a "possible" SBNET in 2025. When older CT scans were reviewed there was evidence of a NET in the year 2020 which wasn't reported until 2025. I have done annual CT Scans every year since 2020 to monitor my kidney stones.

I was wondering why an MRI and another CT Scan with contrast have been ordered on the same day after my 6th Lanreotide injection. Are you saying an MRI might show more progression than a Dotatate Scan???

How many scans are necessary??? I think too many! Same for all the labs that have been done. About 3 or 4 different hormones are elevated. I had hopes that Lanreotide would reverse everything.

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blackhluk | @blackhluk | Sep 22 2:34pm
In reply to @cmhgiddy24 "@blackhluk Hi, PNET primary, liver mets, grade 2. Had distal pancreatectomy and liver surgery as 1st..." + (show)
Profile picture for cmhgiddy24 @cmhgiddy24

@blackhluk Hi, PNET primary, liver mets, grade 2. Had distal pancreatectomy and liver surgery as 1st treatment 3 years ago, my pancreas is now currently clear, but still have multi focal tumors in my liver. They discontinued Somatuline Depot because my body was no longer uptaking somatostatin and I was having progression, thus also no more dotatate PET scans (nothing shows up on them yet do on MRIs), and I can't do PRRT either. Was told from the getgo this could happen. I had some more progression recently so my treatment was changed to 5 cycles of CAPTEM chemo. Still a little progression going on so I am getting TAE (Trans Arterial Embolization) soon. More than you wanted to know I'm sure ;-), but thx for asking after me! While the injections do have some side effects, they are a pretty easy way to go in my opinion. I hope your treatment goes well for you ,<3!

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@cmhgiddy24 Thank you for sharing with us, we are here to stand next to each and support each other and being able to talk is sometimes is a relieve , inchallah and hopefully things will turn out to the best just stay strong and keep in touch, if I may ask where are you from, and let me know if we can be in touch

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1 reply
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cmhgiddy24 | @cmhgiddy24 | Sep 23 6:13am
In reply to @tomrennie "@cmhgiddy24 Sorry to hear about your progression. Even though it wasn't a complete surprise, dealing with..." + (show)
Profile picture for Turkey, Volunteer Mentor @tomrennie

@cmhgiddy24 Sorry to hear about your progression. Even though it wasn't a complete surprise, dealing with its reality is never easy. At least not for me. I also have PNET with liver metastasis. Do you know when about you will be getting the TAE?

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@tomrennie Good morning! You're right, reality is not easy, but I have been very fortunate with my treatment all along so remain grateful for that. I'm lucky, all of my drs. through 2 hospital systems have been very right on and honest with me. Hoping the same for you! I have a consult with IR and will be finding out middle of Oct. about the TAE I'm also going to ask dr. about Histotripsy, which he also does and is very interesting to me.

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cmhgiddy24 | @cmhgiddy24 | Sep 23 6:21am
In reply to @blackhluk "@cmhgiddy24 Thank you for sharing with us, we are here to stand next to each and..." + (show)
Profile picture for blackhluk @blackhluk

@cmhgiddy24 Thank you for sharing with us, we are here to stand next to each and support each other and being able to talk is sometimes is a relieve , inchallah and hopefully things will turn out to the best just stay strong and keep in touch, if I may ask where are you from, and let me know if we can be in touch

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@blackhluk Hi, I live near Columbus, OH and am treated at Ohio State University Neuroendocrine Clinic. I continue to monitor all this online, although not every day, and have just recently started sharing a little more about me as my situation changes, hoping to help someone through my experience so feel free to reach out. I sure wish you success with your injections and ongoing treatment!

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