Jjadus,
A couple of thoughts - and always talk to your care team before believing anything you find on the web - from experience and a reliable source, Dr. Donald Lamm, i offer the following.
Arrive at the appointment with a near empty bladder. Avoid caffeine and all liquids 8 hours ahead of BCG instillations - an empty bladder is more likely to hold the BCG. Hold off on liquids until after the post BCG void.
See the following link to Dr. Lamm's blog, where he says, "The Scandinavian study that advocated 30 minute retention as I recall did not find any reduction in efficacy". While he is talking about maintenance dosing here, elsewhere good sources question the need of a full 2 hours hold time. DO try for the full 2 hours, but if not possible talk to the doctor about medications to reduce urge to urinate. DO NOT consider it a failure if 2 hours is not possible. Do not exceed a 2 hour hold time for any reason.
It is generally stated by multiple reliable sources that 2 hours is highly desirable for the 6 induction phase, less so for maintenance, as long as the desired reaction is obtained. After 30 BCG treatments, 1 hour is my best hold time, using all the tricks. My body's reaction make it clear that that time is sufficient for me at this point.
Again, TALK to your care team about ALL issues, concerns, fears and problems. Making it work is their job.
askdrlamm.bcgoncology.com/category/bcg-general/page/9/
Best,
Jack
