What side effects did you have BCG bladder cancer treatment?

@jlopez7868 Not sure yet. I have a follow-up evaluation in March that will determine one of three paths:

Best case scenario is that BCG was extremely effective and I go straight to maintenance. (3-week treatments every three months).

Most likely scenario is that I’ll do another 6-week round and then evaluate again.

Third scenario is that BCG was not effective and I get my bladder removed. I don’t think this is probable but it can’t be ruled out completely. I am optimistic it won’t go this route. Guess we’ll see in a few weeks!

@janetfreeman Sorry to hear that, hope you'r feeling better. I start my treatments in a few weeks, I am 84. I never had any symptoms except for frequent urination at night, no incontinence. were those the only treatments that were given you didn't have monthly treatments?

I wish you the best with your BCG treatments. I found it to be very uncomfortable when I did the first round of six. You should take advil if you doctors agree prior to the start of the treatment. I remember trying to hold it for the full time and I was so relieved to have it out. Also, I hope you have a good nurse to put the lidocaine ( numbing medicine) prior to inserting the catherer. After a short break with an examination, I resumed the next three rounds. By then, I was able to handle it better with the advil prior to the treatment. After that I had to do another three rounds. I am happy to say there are no further signs of the cancer in the lining. However, I have had spasms and had to try different medicines for that. I will still have follow-ups to see whether everything stays clear. Thanking God for the treatment team. Blessings to all.

Yes I received 6 induction treatment of BCG. The worst side effects I had were burning when urinating for 2 days after treatment and fatigue. That was until I had my last treatment the week of Christmas. 2 weeks after Christmas I woke up and my knees, ankles and toe were very swollen. I didn't think much about it until the next day when the pain went into my both shoulders, down my wrists and into my thumbs. I cried the pain was so bad. I. Couldn't lift my arms up to comb my hair or drive. My husband took me to my family doctor and he ordered tests for inflammation such as ANA, CRP, Sed Rate all of which were off the charts. He thought it was from the BCG and I had a UTI after my first treatment. He put me on steroids for 20 days and the pain finally subsided. I now have to see a Rheumatologist as my Dr says I have developed Reactive Arthritis.
The BCG worked for me as my cysto last week showed no tumors, lesions or masses just alot of inflammation.
Needless to say Urologist says no more BCG for me!
Hope that helps.

I wish you the best with your BCG treatments. I found it to be very uncomfortable when I did the first round of six. You should take advil if you doctors agree prior to the start of the treatment. I remember trying to hold it for the full time and I was so relieved to have it out. Also, I hope you have a good nurse to put the lidocaine ( numbing medicine) prior to inserting the catherer. After a short break with an examination, I resumed the next three rounds. By then, I was able to handle it better with the advil prior to the treatment. After that I had to do another three rounds. I am happy to say there are no further signs of the cancer in the lining. However, I have had spasms and had to try different medicines for that. I will still have follow-ups to see whether everything stays clear. Thanking God for the treatment team. Blessings to all.

During round one of the series of 6 instillations last year, with one week skipped between #1 & #2 due to clinic scheduling, all on Tuesdays, and a 33% strength of BCG, I had a bad headache the nights of #1 & #2, hematuria & a small clot during #6, and chills & mild burning during urination the day of each instillation. I just finished #3 in the second round on Tuesday, (#1 on a Tuesday, skip a week, #2 on a Thursday, and #3 this past Tuesday). This time on each installation day, I had much more hematuria, urination burning & mini-clots, headaches, and chills. Any of these side effects only lasted 24 hours. From other folks stories on this site, I'm lucky thus far to have far fewer side effects than most. The first cystoscopy check was in mid-December: NED. My next cystoscopy check is scheduled for March 31st. Honestly, the toughest part of BCG is the catheter insertion, which really doesn't last very long, but that I view as a small inconvenience to endure for the promise of a lower risk of recurrence or progression.

@jlp27 I have not had any side effects. The uncomfortable part of the infusions is getting that floppy catheter in my urethra- ugh and then holding the chemo in for an hour. I’ll do whatever is necessary to stop any reoccurrence.

I completed the six weeks and just started the once a month. I had three tumors one of which was urothelial (sp) carcinoma- it was caught before it spread outside the bladder.