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Long-term side effects for Gem/Doce ttreatment for NMIBC?
Bladder Cancer | Last Active: Apr 2 10:17am | Replies (39)Comment receiving replies
@dallio hi again I just read it causes severe inflammation of the already irritated bladder wall and due the time of 90-120 minutes of time for each dose it can cause "leaking" through the bladder wall. So in my opinion if the first dose causes severe inflammation the second third and subsequent does a week apart are being injected into an already irritated inflamed bladder. The bladder wall never gets a chance to recover before they giving you another dose. I hope this helps. Hugs
Replies to "@dallio hi again I just read it causes severe inflammation of the already irritated bladder wall..."
@dallio
I am almost finished with my gemdoce treatments. I have five more to go, at once per month. I first had six weeks of once per week, then a break and cystoscopy, and then once per month except for the sixth month, which was another cystoscopy.
Don't believe that there should be no side effects from those treatments. Yes, it does end up with some systemic symptoms. My hair isn't falling out, but it got a bit thinner. Tiredness is the major symptom that I have now, and even at only once per month, I stay tired all the time. I just begin noticing that I am doing a bit better when it is time for another one. However, it is still much less invasive than intravenous would be. It seems to be working, and it will be over in five months. When you do it on a regular basis, you learn how to deal with it. I am at the office for the first dose and it is held for 90 minutes. Then I get the second drug, and I get dressed and drive myself home (hoping not to hit any large potholes or get rear-ended!). I set a timer when I get home for the proper time to release it. I keep myself occupied either with TV or my iPad (to finish the feel good movie I began at the doctor's office). It isn't horrible and it isn't pleasant - however, it does seem to be working, which is the only measurement that really counts to me.
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@dallio
Hello Dallio, I am a 78 year old VN veteran. I receive gem/doce treatments at VA for NIMBC due to exposure to Agent Orange. To date I have received the initial 6 treatments and just completed my 6th maintenance treatment. In between I had one additional surgery for a suspected growth that turned out to be nothing. Other than that I have experienced very little problem or inconvenience.
Yes, getting 2 doses each visit is annoying but over time I've gotten used to it, and VA provides medication to help those problems. My main problem has been fatigue, especially the day of treatment but after a nap, I'm fine. There are several other issues of concern with bladder cancer to deal with whether or not the treatment is with bcg or gem/doce. I hope this helps.