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What determines if you have BCG as a maintenance treatment?

Posted by judilafleur @judilafleur, Mar 31 8:18am

How does this fit in the treatment plan?

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sepdvm | Mar 31 9:44am

In my husband's case, after 6 treatments of BCG into the bladder each week, he transitioned to every 3 months. Unfortunately he was a BCG failure as he had recurrence during the maintenance phase. He had a highly aggressive UTC. I am not sure how long a maintenance phase would last if you remain free of cancer and side effects/

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2 replies
judilafleur | @judilafleur | Mar 31 2:20pm
In reply to @sepdvm "In my husband's case, after 6 treatments of BCG into the bladder each week, he transitioned..." + (show)
@sepdvm

In my husband's case, after 6 treatments of BCG into the bladder each week, he transitioned to every 3 months. Unfortunately he was a BCG failure as he had recurrence during the maintenance phase. He had a highly aggressive UTC. I am not sure how long a maintenance phase would last if you remain free of cancer and side effects/

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What is the determining factor before ordering Maintenance BCG
I have High Grade Non Invasive.

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1 reply
judilafleur | @judilafleur | Mar 31 9:48pm
In reply to @sepdvm "In my husband's case, after 6 treatments of BCG into the bladder each week, he transitioned..." + (show)
@sepdvm

In my husband's case, after 6 treatments of BCG into the bladder each week, he transitioned to every 3 months. Unfortunately he was a BCG failure as he had recurrence during the maintenance phase. He had a highly aggressive UTC. I am not sure how long a maintenance phase would last if you remain free of cancer and side effects/

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What do you consider side effects,please explain.

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sepdvm | Apr 1 7:32am
In reply to @judilafleur "What is the determining factor before ordering Maintenance BCG I have High Grade Non Invasive." + (show)
@judilafleur

What is the determining factor before ordering Maintenance BCG
I have High Grade Non Invasive.

Jump to this post

What is the determining factor for ordering maintenance BCG? That sounds like a question for your urologist or oncologist. I am not a human doctor and can only relate our experiences as a patient or caregiver.
As to side effects, all my husband experienced was a brief 1-2 day period of bladder irritation right after the instillation. On this forum I have seen others complain of UTIs, blood in urine, bladder pain, and systemic effects like fever, muscle aches and cough. Because it works as an immunotherapy there is the potential for other side effects like with other immunotherapies. You can research this online or ask your doctor about the potential for side effects. It is always good to know what to expect when starting a new treatment.

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fmfran | @fmfran | 3 days ago

I started BCG today. So far I feel OK. My urologist was kind enough to allow me to use a room in the office with a place I could lie down and change positions every 30 minutes. I had no problem with the two hours of holding my pee. I went an extra 15 minutes. The nurse then told me to urinate before I left.

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1 reply
judilafleur | @judilafleur | 3 days ago
In reply to @fmfran "I started BCG today. So far I feel OK. My urologist was kind enough to allow..." + (show)
@fmfran

I started BCG today. So far I feel OK. My urologist was kind enough to allow me to use a room in the office with a place I could lie down and change positions every 30 minutes. I had no problem with the two hours of holding my pee. I went an extra 15 minutes. The nurse then told me to urinate before I left.

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This was 'in Office" BCG treatments , then go home hold for 2 hours then void. That's it. I did 6 of them . I had a follow up appt. And was clear. So now I was cleared for 3 months.

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1 reply
fmfran | @fmfran | 3 days ago
In reply to @judilafleur "This was 'in Office" BCG treatments , then go home hold for 2 hours then void...." + (show)
@judilafleur

This was 'in Office" BCG treatments , then go home hold for 2 hours then void. That's it. I did 6 of them . I had a follow up appt. And was clear. So now I was cleared for 3 months.

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I'm so happy for you!!! My urologist was very specific about changing positions. On my stomach, sides, and back. I live to far away to make it home and do that. I pray that are clear forever.

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1 reply
judilafleur | @judilafleur | 3 days ago
In reply to @fmfran "I'm so happy for you!!! My urologist was very specific about changing positions. On my stomach,..." + (show)
@fmfran

I'm so happy for you!!! My urologist was very specific about changing positions. On my stomach, sides, and back. I live to far away to make it home and do that. I pray that are clear forever.

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That's everyone's hope. But we need to use what time we have. Good luck to all of us.

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