- This topic has 6 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 4 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
Hi everyone I am 43 and I was diagnose w/ low grade superficial BC 3years back ,had 6 TURBT and know for the first time on the BCG treatment,last Friday was my second dose of the BCG treatment I am having a terrible weekend felling flu like sick like never before.
I have been reading your experiences and want it to thank u all for all your posting because even when they say to me that this will happen I never through that this will feel like this,the burn and sharp pain was bad and now I know what to expect,what question to ask.
Thank you for being hereHi Laura
Sorry to hear you are having side effects from the BCG treatments. You doc can give you meds for the burning and the spasms. I also found that hot baths helped with the spasms. If you have not recovered 100% prior to your next treatment, I recommend you skip the treatment that week.
We have many members that have experienced BCG treatments and will be more than willing to share their experiences and offer advice they may have in coping with the side effects.
Please keep us posted on your progress.
BCG = Bladder Cancer Gone
JackLaura:
Thank you for contacting this site and our helpful fellow sufferers of bladder cancer. We have been where you are and can relate to the discomfort and ill feelings you have been experiencing. Keep drinking water and even a hot water bottle or heating pad may help along with the bath Jack has mentioned.
All the best going forward. It can be a challenge but is worth the effort and discomfort.
Take care of yourself and be open and honest about your side effects with your doctor.
GregHi Laura, I did numerous rounds with BCG and had similar experiences. The advice you’ve been given is great. As far as medications go, ask about something called Pyridium. It is specifically intended to relieve bladder pain. I believe it may no longer sold in Canada under that name but my pharmacist was able to compound it for me. (Note: it turns your pee orange!). Drinking lots of water, Hot baths, hot water bottle…tried them all and they all work to an extent. My only other piece of advice would be that you should be kind to yourself on the day of treatment and plan to take it easy. Good luck with it all. I hope that the discomfort means it’s doing its job!
Hi Laura. I had my first go around with BC when I was 44, years, not months. Had a TURB, things stayed clear for over 17 years and it reappeared. good thing I kept my annual cystos. Had something like 6 or 7 TURBS since 2008. BCG not only did’t work it was a horrible experience. It was the to the 10th power. I had no plan to continue with it. My doc then tried Valstar and so far that has worked. I think I have my 3 rd., maybe 4th., cysto since being on a 6 month cysto program. Next one is in January. It was much more painful by my doc found a work around for that. Much better than BCG. I just cannot do BCG again. but I will do Valstar again if necessary. I know how you feel. I wish you well and my prayers are with you,
Kiowa
As a female when peeing out the BCG I suggest pouring cool not cold water over the genital area. I found this helped lessen the burning and reduced the genital inflammation. Wash your genital area with mild soap after each void to get rid of the BCG on your skin. Lanacaine cream does help if your girly bits get irritated from the BCG. This is something the guys don’t experience. I also found avoiding caffeine consumption while undergoing BCG helped reduce bladder irritability as well as drinking lots and lots of water. A heating pad worked wonders on my abdomen to reduce bladder pain during and after treatments. Epsom salts added to the hot bath water relieved the aches in my body. I used the crappy feeling as a good excuse for some much needed me time.
I also found treating myself to a small reward each week got me mentally through the process. I also made a special day of the treatment day. Since I stayed at the hospital for my treatments I always showered and donned fresh soft clothes ie favourite sweat suits so I was warm and comfortable before heading to the hospital. (I do this before a cysto too.) I always had special soup or treats to eat afterwards and while undergoing treatment I would read a new book and/or listen to relaxing music using my walkman and headset. It made the time go by faster. Sometimes if I was tired especially towards the end of the treatment sessions I would just doze. The nurses were great in providing warm heated blankets which helped with the bladder discomfort too.IF you are doing your treatments at home you can mimic this by keeping a heating pad in bed with you while in bed doing the rock and roll. Keep in touch and let us know how everything is going. Good luck for the rest of the treatments.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
