BCG Maintenance ?

Also....regarding BCG....
www.rxlist.com/theracys-drug.htm
if you're reacting after 72 hrs....really see an infectious disease specialist. I see this happen alllllll the time.
Pat

Management of BCG non-responders.....results of a study by top cancer centers and uro's....lamm, Herr, Konety......etc....This is very interesting but i doubt that it is used outside of a major cancer center or university setting.
www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=2684230
Pat

Jon,
I too have been told that the worst your side effects the better it is working. I had a very bad reaction to BCG after my 4th treatment - it affected by joints - however - in discussions with my urgo and e-mail from Dr. Lamm - should I need more BCG treatment we are going to go at a lesser dose and I have faith in that. BCG is suppose to be the most effective, I know the side effects can be bad - but hang in there - it is worth it. I go again for a scope on 9/1 and am hoping for the good news! Keep the faith.
Bobbi

From everything I've read my reaction is totally normal. The nurse said that the reaction is a good sign and if Dr Lamm says so to then I am going to keep going full strength as long as I can stand it.

I think the water helps to shorten the symptoms. I will see if it gets worse next week and let everyone know. But this week was defenetly better than last.

Thanks for all the input.

Jon

Fever under 100 is pretty common and Dr. Lamm had told me (via email) that strong reactions like that generally are accompanied by better outcomes. You may want to write to Dr Lamm on his website.

Over 101 (if I recall correctly) can be a different story so you do want to keep close track. In my case the fever exceed 102 so they stopped my bcg even though Dr. Lamm would have proceeded with a reduced strength of BCG.

Dr Lamm is really the top guy in terms of research on BCG so I'd really suggest getting his opinion and relaying that to your uro. Reduced dose strength has not been shown to result in reduced efficacy so it may be worth exploring that option.


MIke

Jon,

You should email Dr. Lamm with your side-effects - or review his protocol. He believes BCG is still effective at diluted doses.

Ross