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BCG interval
Hello – First post from another newbie who is glad to join the club he never wanted to join. I have several questions but just one that I need an answer to fairly soon. I’ve just begun my initial 6-pack of BCG treatements for CIS. The first one last week was a breeze, but from what I’ve read here it might get rough by no. 6. The problem is I had a trip for a family reunion (flying half way across the country) planned for what would have been 5 days after no. 6 – enough of a cushion to recover I figured. Now, due to scheduling problems at the doctor’s office I might get no. 6 slipped to the day before I leave. To avoid that I would have to shorten the interval between no. 4 and no. 5 to just 4 days vs. the standard 7 days. I’d appreciate your thoughts on the feasibility and problems with that short an interval. Also, I’m thinking I might want to line up a back-up urologist where I’m going (Fargo, ND) any thoughts on how to find a good one? Thanks in advance for any help – I’m really grateful I found this cafe. :) brewster – male age 66 in San Diego
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10 Replies
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Rosemary – thx so much for the replies. Sorry for not getting back sooner. Talked to my doc and he said the 5 week interval for cysto after BCG # 6 isn’t too soon, and he can distinguish between residual BCG effects and CIS. Then the following treatment will depend on what he sees. Just had my third BCG and still no side effects. I also asked if no side effects meant it wasn’t working. He said no, everybody is different. I guess the one thing we all have in common is that once you’ve been diagnosed, there’s always a big unknown (exam, lab report, side effect, etc.) just around the corner. They never end. I guess that’s true for the undiagnosed too, they just don’t think about it and the distance to the corner isn’t as definite. I’ll report how it goes. Thx for being here. :) brewster
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Sorry to beat a dead horse, but this is finally coming back to me.
I had a 6 week cystocope and a 3 month biopsy after the first round of 6 BCG’s. This was my Dr’s protocol.
I called the Uro Clinic today because I felt sure that my Dr. had said that he wanted to scope me 6 weeks after this second round of 3 BCG’s. I didn’t have an appointment scheduled. The receptionist checked with Doc and he did want the scope in 6 weeks. Previously I had been on a 6 month interval for scope. There must be some reason that the Docs want to look in there shortly after the last BCG.
Rose
Rosemary
Age – 55
T1 G3 – Tumor free 2 yrs 3 months
Dx January 2006
The more I think about this, your Doctor MAY be planning a 4 week cystoscopy and also a 3 month. I guess it would be a good idea to ask him about this….
Good luck,
Rose
Rosemary
Age – 55
T1 G3 – Tumor free 2 yrs 3 months
Dx January 2006
I wish I could remember when I had my first cystoscope after first round of BCG’s. I’m pretty sure it was 4-6 weeks. I’m certain that we didn’t wait 3 months because I started treatment in late May or early June and my Dr. scoped me before he left in August. Actually, he did another biopsy on me. I think he wanted to know that I was okay before he left.
For this last round of 3 BCG’s last month, my Dr. said he wanted to scope me in 6 weeks.
Don’t know if that helps.
Your friend,
Rosemary
Rosemary
Age – 55
T1 G3 – Tumor free 2 yrs 3 months
Dx January 2006
Thank you all very much for the replies. I no longer think like Groucho Marx that: “I would refuse to join any club that would have me as a member.” I went back and got my doctor’s office to understand my “flight/plight” and am now back on a schedule with full 7 day intervals and a 4-day cushion after induction no. 6 and before my trip. I do have a follow up question though – I am scheduled for a cystoscope one month after induction no. 6. Is that enough time for the BCG to work? I have read Dr. Lamm’s protocol (thx to this group) and he says cystoscope 3 months after no. 6. What do you think? Thx for being here. :) brewster
PS.
I am actually a little surprised that your Doctors are allowing variations in standardization of treatments. But, this is based on my own experience only, as my own Uro Clinic is very strict about maintaining a prescribed schedule.
Regards,
Ro
Rosemary
Age – 55
T1 G3 – Tumor free 2 yrs 3 months
Dx January 2006
I asked a Uro at my clinic WHY BCG’s were always standardized on the same day of the week at weekly intervals. His reply to me was that “That is the way the research was conducted.” So, I think the point of standardization is to try and regulate the quality of the results based on what has been tried before.
Best regards,
Rosemary
Rosemary
Age – 55
T1 G3 – Tumor free 2 yrs 3 months
Dx January 2006
Brewster,
I’m not so sure it’s wise to put two BCG tx’s so close together, it might be asking for trouble regarding side effects. I think it might be wiser to wait rather than rush.
You could ask Dr. Lamm, a top BCG expert who answers questions via his website:
http://bcgoncology.com Maybe his insight helps.Take care,
Wendy
PS about a back up in Fargo…I guess the internet could help you there, or you could make a post asking about a referral with an appropriate title, here on the forum and see what comes up.
Dear Brewster,
Dear Brewster,
I have been skiing between my 4th and my 5th BCG: BCG on Thursday, been skiing in France from Saturday to Saturday, back to england on Sunday and 5th BCG on following Monday. So it was 10 days in between. I did not experience any major side effects apart some burning and a fatigue during this induction. Then 2 days later I have had a hysterectomy and an ovariectomy. A month later, I have had a cystoscopy and I was clear. The following week I have restarted 3 maintenance courses of BCG and this time there were only 5 days between the 2nd and 3rd one. It was not very successful regarding the side effects: the soreness was very important and lasted a week. So I think it is better to wait at least a week between 2 cycles and I am not sure there is any difference in the success of the treatment if you wait until 10 days between 2 courses.
Take care, Chantal
Female, 46, diagnosed Nov 2006, T1G2.
I’d definitely ask your doctor, but during my chemo there wasn’t a problem with moving things around a day or two.
“Standing on my Head”––my chemo journal
T3a Grade 4 N+M0
RC at USC/Norris June 23, 2006 by Dr. John SteinSign In to reply.