Changed urologists and changed my experience of BC

11 years 9 months ago #42168 by Les1953
Had BCG/Interferon #5 and felt awful the next day, like I had the flu without fever. Didn't go to work. One more to go next week and I hope I don't get sick. I haven't felt the same level of burning that I did with the first three treatments.

As for shortage of BCG, I've been very lucky. Only had one dose reduced.

Thank you all for your support!

Leslie

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11 years 9 months ago #42118 by rbmc
How's it going? You should be 3/4 done with BCG by now. Your reports may be informative to others. Didn't need any anathesic for the cysto, or BCG. Male here. I don't enjoy any benefit of sick time, so you miss work with no pay. If you need time off for cancer treatments/surgery, do it. Stay alive and talk to us, you're in the right place.

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11 years 10 months ago #41962 by wsilberstein
Replied by wsilberstein on topic Changed urologists and changed my experience of BC
<strong>Lessie1953 wrote:</strong>I only missed work the day after my 6th (last) BCG, and that was only because I didn't feel I could handle the train trip in. My first 5 BCG's didn't cause much reaction, especially considering how many years I've been going to work with bladder symptoms anyway.
As far as the TURBT or biopsies, there's no avoiding missing work. You gotta do what you gotta do. Follow up is very important. I enjoyed 10 years cancer-free and then had a recurrence of CIS, and a year later a second recurrence. As I plan my next step, figuring out how to deal with being out of work for a long time if I'm advised to have a radical cystectomy will certainly be a major headache, but I'll still do whatever I have to do.

-Warren
TaG3 + CIS 12/2000. TURB + Mitomycin C (No BCG)
Urethral stricture, urethroplasty 10/2009
CIS 11/2010 treated with BCG. CIS 5/2012 treated with BCG/interferon
T1G3 1/2013. Radical Cystectomy 3/5/2013, No invasive cancer. CIS in right ureter.
Incontinent. AUS implant 2/2014. AUS explant 5/2014
Pediatrician

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11 years 10 months ago #41946 by mmc
Well I suppose that certainly makes a difference regarding catheter insertion. I didn't think so much about the instillation as the effects of the BCG when it comes to peeing it out and such. I stand corrected. :)

Mike

Age 54
10/31/06 dx CIS (TisG3) non-invasive (at 47)
9/19/08 TURB/TUIP dx Invasive T2G3
10/8/08 RC neobladder(at 49)
2/15/13 T4G3N3M1 distant metastases(at 53)
9/2013 finished chemo -cancer free again
1/2014 ct scan results....distant mets
2/2014 ct result...spread to liver, kidneys, and lymph...

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11 years 10 months ago #41945 by sara.anne
Come on, Mike!!! She hasn't got a prostate to pass the catheter by! So, it would be easier for her than a man.

Lessie, I had the full BCG plus maintenance. I often felt fatigue, usually the second day after, but I could have worked if I had a job (I am retired.) BCG isn't a lot of fun, but it is doable (like going to the dentist).

Sara Anne

Diagnosis 2-08 Small papillary TCC; CIS
BCG; BCG maintenance
Vice-President, American Bladder Cancer Society
Forum Moderator

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11 years 10 months ago - 11 years 10 months ago #41937 by mmc
I have never heard it is easier for women.

If you get your BCG on Friday you can have the weekend to deal with any issues (frequency, lethargy, burning,etc),

Ask the doc to prescribe antispasmodics.
Good luck with your treatment!

Mike

Age 54
10/31/06 dx CIS (TisG3) non-invasive (at 47)
9/19/08 TURB/TUIP dx Invasive T2G3
10/8/08 RC neobladder(at 49)
2/15/13 T4G3N3M1 distant metastases(at 53)
9/2013 finished chemo -cancer free again
1/2014 ct scan results....distant mets
2/2014 ct result...spread to liver, kidneys, and lymph...

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