Alanta51

I found intravesical Gemcitabine to far more user friendly that BCG. No pain, burning or urgency beyond a couple of hours. There was some one day fatigue. We each react somewhat differently.

See Dr Kamat's thoughts about BCG substitutes at:

https://www.bcan.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/BCG-Shortage-Dr-Kamat-GU15-Editorial.pdf

Best
Jack

Appears my urologist’s office is also impacted by the BCG shortage. Is anyone fluent with the side effects of Gemcitabine?

Here is my providers approach that is being taken in regards to the BCG shortage (via my Cystoscopy appointment last week).

I will forego Maintenance for the moment, while Kaiser Permanente comes up with a bigger plan to treat while the world continues to experience the BCG Shortage.

The treatment that is probably 2-3 months away from reality is: Gemcitabine Chemo Therapy, injected just like BCG, directly into the Bladder. Oh, and the Maintenance treatment using Gemcitabine would be once a month, not 3 treatments 3 weeks in a row every 3 months.

RJake

The American Urological Association has made the following recommendations (Feb 2019) it describes the track I am currently on. Link below.

https://www.auanet.org/about-us/bcg-shortage-info

Talk with your doctor(s) about the options. Not all urologists and offer all alternatives; in some case an oncologist must provide the treatment. Insurance and network problems arose for me in selecting an alternative treatment, but were overcome after dealing with my health insurer.

Also see thought from the 2015 shortage at:

https://www.bcan.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/BCG-Shortage-Dr-Kamat-GU15-Editorial.pdf

Best
Jack

This is a question for your doctor. He should be able to give you some idea of when he expects BCG and how long he feels you can wait for it as well as any other options he can offer you.

Sara Anne

Been waiting over one month to start BCG treatments, but none to be had. Any suggestions on how long I should wait before embarking on some other treatment (Mitomycin-C)? HG non-invasive.