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Aggressive Bladder Cancer: Tips to help hold meds in bladder?

Posted by jimg56 @jimg56, Jan 26 6:45am

My husband is on his third Infusion treatment with gemcitibine . So far no real side effects or problems. The only thing he is having a rough time with is holding the drug in his bladder for the hour. We have to stay there as they have to leave cathedar in so meds stay in his bladder. Some people can get the infusion and leave but he cant hold it in so we stay.
It is uncomfortable in waves for him. It comes and goes.
We get through it as I sit with him and watch tv in his private little space @ the hospital.

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delavan | @delavan | 6 days ago

When I go to chemo, the first dose is the Gemcitabine. The nurse clamps off the catheter so it can’t be excreted. It is opened at the end of the session. Then the clamp is removed and the docetaxel is infused. Then I go home and get in bed for two hours. I get up at 4:00 a.m. and drink about 48 ounces of water. I also have a couple of cups of coffee. I stop drinking at 5:00 a.m. my chemo starts at noon. By then I am producing very little urine. So far it works.

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1 reply
jimg56 | @jimg56 | 6 days ago
In reply to @delavan "When I go to chemo, the first dose is the Gemcitabine. The nurse clamps off the..." + (show)
@delavan

When I go to chemo, the first dose is the Gemcitabine. The nurse clamps off the catheter so it can’t be excreted. It is opened at the end of the session. Then the clamp is removed and the docetaxel is infused. Then I go home and get in bed for two hours. I get up at 4:00 a.m. and drink about 48 ounces of water. I also have a couple of cups of coffee. I stop drinking at 5:00 a.m. my chemo starts at noon. By then I am producing very little urine. So far it works.

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My husband gets the gem 2x a week i dont believe he gets the docetaxel
He has 1 infusion for 1 hour. I just mentioned it to his team waiting for a reply.
Curious now…
I should know this
I think more communication is needed.

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schew5515 | @schew5515 | 5 days ago

My husband uses a clamp.

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delavan | @delavan | 4 days ago
In reply to @jimg56 "My husband has found it easier with the last two treatments he has had. He has..." + (show)
@jimg56

My husband has found it easier with the last two treatments he has had. He has 6 more to go. He is able to hold it in for 60 minutes. I find that if he avoids drinking anything 4-5 hrs before his appt. He does better. Especially coffee. I also think it depends on the RN doing the treatment. I can tell by his face as he is being set up. I think if things are positioned just right he’s able to hold it. Good Luck everyone.. keep the faith … we got this!!!!👍

Jump to this post

I receive the Gem-Doce infusions while in a hospital bed at the infusion center. Those receiving systemic treatment are usually sitting up. I keep the bed flat the whole time. It seems to take the pressure off. In the past, patients were told to roll from side to side when receiving chemo or BCG to assure the entire bladder was touched by the infused agents. The American Association of Urologists has debunked this, stating it has no proven value. On the days of the first two infusions, I got up at 4:00 a.m. and drank 48 ounces of water and two 12 ounce cups of coffee. I then worked out for about 90 minutes. I was producing very little urine at the time of infusion; it made it easier to retain the chemo. Last time I had water up until four hours before. It was horrible.

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fighting50 | @fighting50 | 4 days ago

I found it helpful to avoid coffee the morning of chemo. I also suggest scheduling an early appt if possible. Your NP will have more tips.

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deb2024 | @deb2024 | 3 days ago

We drive 4 hours to get gem/doc treatments. The gemcitabine seems to be more painful and I have to hold it for 90 minutes then it’s released & infused with docataxel then we drive home and 2 hours later we stop so I can void it. Usually I sleep for 2 hours while husband is driving. I’ve had 18 treatments and so far cancer hasn’t returned. I hope your treatments will keep you cancer free!

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