Diagnosed, removed, waiting on biopsy report

Hi Toby and Kathy,
I had 24 BCG treatments. I wasn't tired, but I did have trouble with spasms. There are meds for the spasms. Everyone reacts differently. It is just a wait and see, if there are some side effects, report anything esp. fever to the doctor and you will be fine.
Is BCG worth a try? Darn right, I have been cancer free for the past five years, so BCG did a job for me and several others on this site.
Good luck on your BCG washes and keep reading past posts for a lot of the info.

Nancy

thank you Mike!

I agree that Toby's tireness is stress and thinking what he may or may not be able to do when treatments start.

How much does the BCG actually affect you folks?

He doesn't understand why there is pain when he empties the bladder sometimes. Is that likely spasms?

I know the paperwork says fatigue etc will occur with BCG treatments but what other side effects do you folks get? That may help him to know real cases.

This is a wonderful site, such friendly people and so helpful and honest.
kathy

Toby and Cathy,

The particles are likely blood/scab bits. Eventually your bladder will heal from the TURBT and you will do the BCG. If you have bleeding and they do BCG you can get sepsis. Sepsis can kill you if not treated quickly enough so you REALLY don't want them to do it if you are bleeding still in the bladder.

The tiredness is likely shock/depression. Your brain is using a lot of energy getting a handle on the whole "I have cancer" thing. The bladder cancer is not making you tired.

Keep in mind that this is VERY treatable. Waiting a few more weeks (if you even need to wait that long) is not really going to make a difference with the BCG.

I know it is tough but just hang in there and keep positive.

You should talk to your GP about your depression concern. There are medications that can help you with that. You may just need them temporarily. If you generally have depression, talk to your doc about adjusting your meds. Major shocks or upheavals in one's life can cause depression or make existing depression which has been under control with medications worse thereby requiring additional temporary adjustments in dosage. DO NOT self medicate or adjust your dose without talking with your doctor.

All the best!
Mike

Concerned: I had the TURB about 3 weeks ago. I've seen blood here and there but none for the past 1.5 weeks. There are small, pepper like particals in it today as well as blood today. The urgency has been a tad better but after I pee the bladder hurts when I'm finished peeing. It does not hurt when I have the urgency.

I'm scheduled for the first BCG next Wed and she won't do it if there is blood present. What if the blood doesn't stop long enough for her to do the BCG?

I'm tired but not sure if that's stress, depression, or the cancer.
Info needed
Toby and Kathy

Hello, I use the "Assurance Guards for Men", they are a pad that you wear in front under your briefs. I get them at Walmart. It's one of the nasty side effects of the TURBT'S and catheters that it messes up the prostate. It can feel like you are going to burst and then only a few drops come out or a few drops come out whith out any warning...or you get a 10 secound warning to make it to the bathroom!!! All we can do is laugh, the other choice is cry and that gets old.

When I started the BCG again, (#7) it made me tired for a few days but I think that is different from what you are talking about. I am new to this, coming up on one year so I don't have a lot of info on the tired thing. I do think it would be good to bring it up with a doctor just to make sure it isn't something physical...people don't realize how tired all this stress and ups and downs from the emotional roller coaster can make us. It's a real thing. Best of luck, Warren

Thanks to everyone. Is it normal to feel really tired at this stage - before the BCG treatments and will he feel better after the treatments start? I know the moods are normal yet I wish there was something I could say or do to help him. I don't know if it's sadness, fear, or everything. We are a happy and very close couple so we will overcome this!!! I just need to know what will make him feel better. And are the male pads like pull ups or just a pad