Anyone had gemcitabine and docetaxel for Bladder Cancer?

I finished my 6 week induction 3 weeks ago and have been losing a lot of hair. Might be the gem/doce or might be stress and anxiety, not sure, just hoping it lets up soon.

@deb2024, was this your first treatment method, or did this follow BCG? I’m also high grade non invasive, and bio marker test showed I would do better with gem/doce. I’ve just finished my second dose in the six week, once a week phase. Did you have significant abdominal bloating with your treatment? Mine was stronger with this second dose than the first and painful, wondering what to expect going forward. I have a call in to my doctor just to check. Hope you’re doing well and would be interested to hear how your journey has been going.

Hi, I’m sorry that you are experiencing issues with the treatments. I did start out with BCG but after the 3rd dose I developed hematuria/ heavy bleeding so this was discontinued. Then I started on gem/doce treatments. I did have severe pain from the gemcitabine drug (burning & spasms). The docetaxel side effects were similar but not as severe. After each treatment I had bladder spasms & a burning sensation & abdominal pain that would last a day or so. The fatigue lasted for months. I was fortunate to be able to complete the six weekly treatments & monthly treatments for almost a year. I mentioned to my nurse that these drugs were quite harsh & she said it was destroying the cancer cells & that was good. So I would remind myself when I thought I couldn’t take it any more…I pray your symptoms will ease up but if they are too hard on you please inform your doctor because there are other drugs that they are trying out for bladder cancer. Keep me updated…I will be praying for you.

Yes, I had hair loss. They don’t mention this as a side effect but after I completed the treatments my hair returned to “normal”. I guess not everyone experiences hair loss with these treatments.

I did a different chemo and understand your feelings about hair loss. Even though I knew it would come back afterwards, it surprised me how much it bothered me. I think it was looking in the mirror and not recognizing myself during that time. Chemo is rough. Hang in there! 🩷

I have high grade non-invasive bladder cancer. First dx'd a little over two years ago. After surgery, because BCG was in such short supply, I did chemo - gemcitabine and docetaxel weekly for six weeks and then once a month for a year. Following the surgery and through the year, I was clear of cancer. Then went to once every three months cystoscopies for ten months. All clear until the last month. The cystoscopy looked clear and the surgeon said we would go to once every six months to test. But a couple days later the cytology came back showing high grade urothelial carcinoma cells. So back to surgery for blue light surgery. Showed CIS cancer(s). Doc recommended a clinical tiral - Legend, which is immunotherapy and gene therapy. Intravesical like the chemo. I finished the first cycle of four treatments a month ago and went for the scheduled cystoscopy just a few days ago. It showed areas of concern. I drove nine hours home to New Mexico and almost as soon as I walked int the door I got a call from Mayo asking me to come back for a biopsy next Thursday. So off again. I'm worried I will now be disqualified from the trial. Doc had said I could still try BCG if the trial doesn't work, but it's still in short supply so they're giving half doses. Internet search showed half doses are quite successful. So I'm in limbo. I would like to avoid the bladder removal, but if that's what I have to do, does anyone have any opinions or experience with reconstruction versus bag? I read the Deion Sanders had reconstruction and so far has to wear Depends and keep close to bathrooms, but that his brain may train the new bladder to respond better. Does anyone know if sex becomes a thing of the past with either or both of the bladder removals? What is overall quality of life?

I did the full gem/doce regimen as first tx option. Horrible bladder spasms during induction but with help from Cunningham clamp and Valium, I got through it all. No cancer for that full year and 10 months of cystoscopies every three months. At tenth month, cancer showed up again. Now I'm in a clinical trial, but after first cycle, it doesn't look good. May try BCG before resorting to removal. Lots of good new stuff out there, but I don't think Mayo is doing some of them yet. I had no symptoms between induction treatments and played golf the day after most tx's. Hang in there.

Adjuvant DDMVAC after RC made me lose almost all hair. Now five months later it is back better than ever interestingly. It is also very curly.

I have had NMIBC since 2012, had BCG a bunch, and gemcitabine too, and just got booted out of a study because I showed no improvement.....nothing has worked completely but all the stuff worked a little bit. I have a preop on the 29th.....my bladder might be getting the boot......so just keep in close surveillance, keep doing the treatments they come up with, and the docs will let you know when its time.....best of luck.!!

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