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My journey with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) treatment
I’m a 77 year old female. I just started the first of six BCG treatments for T1 high grade bladder cancer. I was so worried that I would not be able to hold it for the two hours but I did it with no problem at all. Turned over every 15 minutes and felt fine. I’ve been back home now for a few hours and feel perfectly normal. So grateful!
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Is the standard care for HG NMIBC a 6 week course of BCG? Are there any more TURBT's anticipated?
RSand here.. I am on the BCG, but have trouble keeping it in for the full 2 hours.
Can only fo 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
Can you please post your wats to keep it in?
Thanks so much.
That’s not the instruction I received on my treatments. I was supposed to keep from voiding and drinking for one hour. Then void, sterilize the toilet, drink plenty of fluid and after one hour, void and sterilize again. That’s what I read elsewhere as well.
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3 ReactionsThe theory is that the BCG treatments are to prevent additional tumor formation.
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2 ReactionsI just looked at my original response and I think it can be interpreted incorrectly. The dose should be retained for two hours. I wasn’t counting the time at the office. I voided approximately one hour after leaving the urologist or close two hours altogether. The second was about one hour after that after lots of fluid intake.
Hi Clam, HaHa
amu45sin
So glad you figured it out! Hope the BCG treatments work out very well for you.
I may have a solution for me, since I can only keep it in for 1 hour.
The nurse said she could put in a catheter with a clamp, that stays in for 2 hours, and which I can remove at home.
That will keep it in for the required time for me.
Best to you for excellent results. Hugz.
Hope it works for you. Getting my last treatment tomorrow. Hope the series has its intended results.
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1 ReactionHi There,
I have been diagnosed with T1a High Grade . I am having my first BCG next week.
I pray BCG worked for you. Thanks for sharing your experience
I'm glad you are doing well so far. I had treatments 5+ years ago and they were all uncomfortable. My recent experience, repeat due to return of BC, was each dose got increasingly difficult through the 5th. The sixth was slightly improved over the 5th. However, I discovered I had a UTI at the time of the 5th and the doc didn't notify me for 5 days after so I only started the antibiotic a day or two before the 6th treatment. The UTI could have made things worse. Regardless, BCG treatments are not pleasant, so much so that they could cause inflammation. I had a post BCG biopsy today on spots that were either cancer or, according to the doc, red spots from treatment irritation. Obviously, hoping for the latter result. Won't know which until next week.
Interesting solution. Another is it is possible to reduce the percent of the BCG solution. I suspect this may reduce the effectiveness, but that can depend on the individual. Let us know how your extended catheter stay works. Remember, the stuff remains blocked inside, but the pain will likely stay as long as you hold it. But, self extraction of the catheter is pretty easy if you go that route.