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Anyone had gemcitabine and docetaxel for Bladder Cancer?
Just had second of six weekly doses Gem/Doc chemo infusion for my bladder cancer. Had six doses BCG but cancer came right back. Mine is aggressive but non invasive at present. Been scraped out twice. Any one else having this type chemo? Would like to compare notes.
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@gemdoc25 To clarify, no they didn’t pause the treatment whilst I was taking the antibiotics, but it was during a second dose of antibiotics when the UTI was under control, so I guess this was a propalactic dose which was less daily than the previous dose taken.
I too have urgency issues with many nighttime trips to the bathroom….pretty annoying.
@mochat Hi Mochat,
Thank you for the clarification. The oncologist is not concerned that I had two breaks of two weeks and only ended up with 5 instillations. I guess I’ll find out in mid-February.
Best wishes.
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1 ReactionHello, i have had two TURBT surgeries and one cystolotholapaxy (stone removal) surgery. I realize each of us react differently to each treatment. Some time ago I posted how my body responded unfavorably to my gemcitabine/docataxel treatments.
My pain was excruciating as each week progressed.
Good news ! I’d like to mention there is a way to deal with that type of pain. The previous treatments were completed in my hometown. As I write this note Dec 15 2025, I will soon begin treatment at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale. The physicians assistant informed me that rectal valium is one option for the bladder spasms I experience during gemze/doc treatments. I cannot say for certain it takes all the pain away as I have not experienced the rectal valium as of yet; however, to know one does not have to suffer through the gemcitabine treatment (which caused my horrible spasms), is a prayer being answered!
I am still being tested here in Scottsdale and should be making a decision as to of what type of ongoing treatment I will receive after the first week of Feb 2026.
Wish everyone a wonderful holiday season and to please remain hopeful through our bladder journey. 😊
@janine1991
I didn't receive any BCG. My oncological surgeon sent me to a urological oncologist to let him decide. My surgeon was not a fan of gemdoce, but the oncologist is.
I had the weekly treatments for six weeks, and 5 months of once/per/month treatments, with the sixth month being a cystoscopy. Then I resume monthly for January through June. My cystoscopy was clear. The joy my oncologist tried to hide made me feel pretty confident. I was clear and I could literally feel the doctor's joy. He indicated that if I stay this way, I should be done with chemo after the next six monthly treatments. He added that I was not free of cystoscopies. Those will be a part of my life, basically, the rest of my life, given that I might not logically outlive the annual protocol. I am mid-70's. My older sister had non-invasive bladder cancer in her early 30's. She finally got released from the cystoscopies not too long ago. There has to be a better way..... but until then, cystoscopies it is.
Is there any news on the Cretostimogene trials or effectiveness? Will it be approved by the FDA soon?
Thanks
Seems promising: https://ir.cgoncology.com/news-releases/news-release-details/cg-oncology-present-results-cretostimogene-grenadenorepvec-0.