Went in for my first BCG today, and the uro called it off. It looks as if I have (another) bladder infection so the sample has been sent off for culture.
I told him that for about a week now I have not had the horrible bladder symptoms that have been driving me nuts since December (before my two TURBs). Then last night they returned in force.
If the symptoms are from the infection, once it is treated we will start BCG. If they are not from the infection, he wants to wait until they subside before starting. He says that six weeks is the minimum between a TURB and BCG and that another six weeks or so will not make any difference in my prognosis. He says that using BCG when there is a lot of irritation can lead to a BCG-induced cystitis can last up to a year and is HORRIBLE for both patient and urologist.
I am really discouraged and bummed since I had been really hoping to get this disease on the run asap. OK...if the symptoms are only from the infection (which I assume I probably have) we will start again next week. BUT if it is not from that, I am concerned since the burning/urgency were the symptoms that sent me to the urologist in the first place. He said that they could be explained by the CIS. So why would we expect them to go away?
Also saw my internist yesterday. All good there. Both he and the urologist are concerned that I am "depressed." DUH!! I clarified that I am ANGRY and DISCOURAGED with this diagnosis. Depression (I am very familiar with it
) is when you feel that way with no reason. I feel that I have a legitimate reason.
Sara Anne
