@deidre77 Saw urologist today and he put a hold on starting BCG treatments due to my Stress Incontinence. Since I would not be able to hold BCG in. Wants me to see an Urogynecologist for procedure called Urethral Bulking. I have a meet and greet on the 30th. Meanwhile BC is thriving in my bladder.
Hope you had a better appointment Thursday
@rafcer
I certainly understand your difficulty and am sorry you cannot undergo the BCG treatments at this time.
I am not familiar with the term Urethral Bulking and will be researching this.
Let me wish you good luck on your upcoming appointment and I hope you will be able to receive help as soon as possible. Please let us know what transpired after your appointment.
@rafcer
You mentioned you had your second TURBT a little while ago and I would like to know how you are presently feeling. What did the doctor say about your incontinence and what type of treatment will you be having now, if any?
I had completed my 6th BCG treatment last week and am now experiencing unexpected incontinence. Although I usually had it for one or two days following the instillation, I now have it at various times without any warning and needless to say, it is troublesome. I am scheduled for a cystoscope on April 16 so I am crossing my fingers it will not show a return of tumors although I expect it will. Time to learn whether I will be one of the 60 - 70% for whom it is effective.
@rafcer
You mentioned you had your second TURBT a little while ago and I would like to know how you are presently feeling. What did the doctor say about your incontinence and what type of treatment will you be having now, if any?
I had completed my 6th BCG treatment last week and am now experiencing unexpected incontinence. Although I usually had it for one or two days following the instillation, I now have it at various times without any warning and needless to say, it is troublesome. I am scheduled for a cystoscope on April 16 so I am crossing my fingers it will not show a return of tumors although I expect it will. Time to learn whether I will be one of the 60 - 70% for whom it is effective.
@deidre77 Since I will not be able to hold BCG in bladder due to incontinence I was sent to UROGYNECOLOGIST who treats incontinence issues. On 4/7 I will be having a bulking agent inserted to narrow width of urethra and help with weak muscle. Look up BULKAMID . Then if that helps in a few weeks they will try BCG treatments.
Did you ever leak some BCG ? My stomach area is puffy, I think bladder is still inflamed/ irritated. I don’t have caffeine,spicy foods etc. my food portions are very small so I have no idea why bladder is so irritated.
Did your urologist say what is causing your incontinence?
Good luck on your cystoscopy!
Hi @rafcer
I did look up Bulkamid and found the following information. I thought it might be of interest to incontinence sufferers and I may, one day, require this.
***************
The Bulkamid procedure is a minimally invasive treatment for stress urinary incontinence that involves injecting a soft hydrogel into the urethra to improve urine control.
What Bulkamid Is
Bulkamid is a urethral bulking agent made of 97.5% water and 2.5% cross-linked polyacrylamide, forming a soft, non-particulate hydrogel that does not migrate or break down in the body. It has been safely used in medical applications such as plastic surgery and contact lenses for over a decade. The hydrogel adds volume to the urethral wall, helping the urethra close more effectively and reduce urine leakage during activities like coughing, laughing, or exercising. bostonscientific.com
How the Procedure Is Performed
The procedure is minimally invasive and typically takes 10–15 minutes. Steps include:
United Urology Group
Preparation: The patient may receive local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia. The genital area is cleaned with antiseptic, and a local anesthetic jelly is applied.
Cystoscope Insertion: A small telescope (cystoscope) is inserted into the urethra to visualize the bladder neck and urethral lining.
Injection: Using a fine needle, 3–4 deposits of Bulkamid are injected into the urethral tissue just below the bladder. The injections are placed to create a “cushion” that narrows the urethra and supports closure.
Completion: The cystoscope is removed, and the patient is monitored until they can pass urine, usually 2–3 hours after the procedure.
Number of Sessions
Most women require 1–2 injection sessions to achieve optimal results, while men may need up to 4 sessions. If additional injections are needed, they are typically spaced three months apart to allow the hydrogel to integrate into the tissue. New York Health
Benefits
Minimally invasive with quick recovery
Can be performed in an office or ambulatory surgery setting
Provides immediate improvement in urine control for many patients
Long-lasting effect as the hydrogel is resistant to absorption and degradation
Risks and Side Effects
Temporary burning sensation or mild bleeding during urination
Small amounts of hydrogel may pass into urine initially
Risk of urinary tract infection, which is minimized with prophylactic antibiotics
Rarely, additional injections may be required if initial improvement diminishes
Recovery and Aftercare
Patients are usually able to resume normal activities quickly. Initial urinary symptoms typically resolve within 24 hours. Follow-up may include assessment of continence and planning for additional injections if needed. New York Health
Effectiveness
Clinical studies show that Bulkamid is effective for female stress urinary incontinence, with many patients reporting significant improvement in urine control immediately after the procedure and sustained benefits over several years. The procedure is considered a safe alternative to more invasive surgeries like sling or mesh procedures. bostonscientific.co
*******************
Hi @rafcer
I did look up Bulkamid and found the following information. I thought it might be of interest to incontinence sufferers and I may, one day, require this.
***************
The Bulkamid procedure is a minimally invasive treatment for stress urinary incontinence that involves injecting a soft hydrogel into the urethra to improve urine control.
What Bulkamid Is
Bulkamid is a urethral bulking agent made of 97.5% water and 2.5% cross-linked polyacrylamide, forming a soft, non-particulate hydrogel that does not migrate or break down in the body. It has been safely used in medical applications such as plastic surgery and contact lenses for over a decade. The hydrogel adds volume to the urethral wall, helping the urethra close more effectively and reduce urine leakage during activities like coughing, laughing, or exercising. bostonscientific.com
How the Procedure Is Performed
The procedure is minimally invasive and typically takes 10–15 minutes. Steps include:
United Urology Group
Preparation: The patient may receive local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia. The genital area is cleaned with antiseptic, and a local anesthetic jelly is applied.
Cystoscope Insertion: A small telescope (cystoscope) is inserted into the urethra to visualize the bladder neck and urethral lining.
Injection: Using a fine needle, 3–4 deposits of Bulkamid are injected into the urethral tissue just below the bladder. The injections are placed to create a “cushion” that narrows the urethra and supports closure.
Completion: The cystoscope is removed, and the patient is monitored until they can pass urine, usually 2–3 hours after the procedure.
Number of Sessions
Most women require 1–2 injection sessions to achieve optimal results, while men may need up to 4 sessions. If additional injections are needed, they are typically spaced three months apart to allow the hydrogel to integrate into the tissue. New York Health
Benefits
Minimally invasive with quick recovery
Can be performed in an office or ambulatory surgery setting
Provides immediate improvement in urine control for many patients
Long-lasting effect as the hydrogel is resistant to absorption and degradation
Risks and Side Effects
Temporary burning sensation or mild bleeding during urination
Small amounts of hydrogel may pass into urine initially
Risk of urinary tract infection, which is minimized with prophylactic antibiotics
Rarely, additional injections may be required if initial improvement diminishes
Recovery and Aftercare
Patients are usually able to resume normal activities quickly. Initial urinary symptoms typically resolve within 24 hours. Follow-up may include assessment of continence and planning for additional injections if needed. New York Health
Effectiveness
Clinical studies show that Bulkamid is effective for female stress urinary incontinence, with many patients reporting significant improvement in urine control immediately after the procedure and sustained benefits over several years. The procedure is considered a safe alternative to more invasive surgeries like sling or mesh procedures. bostonscientific.co
*******************
@deidre77 Thank you for information..I am still scheduled for Bulkamid insertion on 4/7 so hopefully it will give me some relief. Most importantly I will be able to start BCG therapy if urologist is satisfied with Bulkamid results.
Urologist did mention if Bulkamid did not work I may need a Sling to hold bladder up. But that means holding off on treatments. One problem seems to lead to another.
@deidre77 Thank you for information..I am still scheduled for Bulkamid insertion on 4/7 so hopefully it will give me some relief. Most importantly I will be able to start BCG therapy if urologist is satisfied with Bulkamid results.
Urologist did mention if Bulkamid did not work I may need a Sling to hold bladder up. But that means holding off on treatments. One problem seems to lead to another.
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 my first round of 6 treatments went very smoothly with just frequent urination and scar tissue / blood clots but my next round wasn’t so smooth, had lot of burning and had a uti. Dr reduced my dosage to half for the next 3 but only could tolerate. first 2 it’s been a struggle for 6 weeks trying to get over this one
@jlp27 my first round of 6 treatments went very smoothly with just frequent urination and scar tissue / blood clots but my next round wasn’t so smooth, had lot of burning and had a uti. Dr reduced my dosage to half for the next 3 but only could tolerate. first 2 it’s been a struggle for 6 weeks trying to get over this one
@s38mmhoser Sorry to hear of your difficulties with the second round. All 9 of my BCG doses to date have been what they call 1/3 BCG dose. I've tolerated that very well, especially when I read of others having difficulties. My second cystoscopy after the second round of 3 was NED, and now I'm scheduled for the third round of 3 BCG instillations in May with the next cystoscopy at the end of June. I've read where a 1/3 dose of BCG is not that atypical and seems to be as effective as higher percentage dosages. You might consider dropping to a 1/3 dose. There are other alternatives such as Gem/Doc or Adstiladrin. Regardless of which path you take, best wishes for a tolerable successful outcome.
Connect
Connect
Like
Helpful
Hug
@rafcer
I certainly understand your difficulty and am sorry you cannot undergo the BCG treatments at this time.
I am not familiar with the term Urethral Bulking and will be researching this.
Let me wish you good luck on your upcoming appointment and I hope you will be able to receive help as soon as possible. Please let us know what transpired after your appointment.
Sending my best wishes.
@rafcer
You mentioned you had your second TURBT a little while ago and I would like to know how you are presently feeling. What did the doctor say about your incontinence and what type of treatment will you be having now, if any?
I had completed my 6th BCG treatment last week and am now experiencing unexpected incontinence. Although I usually had it for one or two days following the instillation, I now have it at various times without any warning and needless to say, it is troublesome. I am scheduled for a cystoscope on April 16 so I am crossing my fingers it will not show a return of tumors although I expect it will. Time to learn whether I will be one of the 60 - 70% for whom it is effective.
Sending my best wishes for you.
@deidre77 Since I will not be able to hold BCG in bladder due to incontinence I was sent to UROGYNECOLOGIST who treats incontinence issues. On 4/7 I will be having a bulking agent inserted to narrow width of urethra and help with weak muscle. Look up BULKAMID . Then if that helps in a few weeks they will try BCG treatments.
Did you ever leak some BCG ? My stomach area is puffy, I think bladder is still inflamed/ irritated. I don’t have caffeine,spicy foods etc. my food portions are very small so I have no idea why bladder is so irritated.
Did your urologist say what is causing your incontinence?
Good luck on your cystoscopy!
Severe penile and lower pelvic pain
Hi @rafcer
I did look up Bulkamid and found the following information. I thought it might be of interest to incontinence sufferers and I may, one day, require this.
***************
The Bulkamid procedure is a minimally invasive treatment for stress urinary incontinence that involves injecting a soft hydrogel into the urethra to improve urine control.
What Bulkamid Is
Bulkamid is a urethral bulking agent made of 97.5% water and 2.5% cross-linked polyacrylamide, forming a soft, non-particulate hydrogel that does not migrate or break down in the body. It has been safely used in medical applications such as plastic surgery and contact lenses for over a decade. The hydrogel adds volume to the urethral wall, helping the urethra close more effectively and reduce urine leakage during activities like coughing, laughing, or exercising. bostonscientific.com
How the Procedure Is Performed
The procedure is minimally invasive and typically takes 10–15 minutes. Steps include:
United Urology Group
Preparation: The patient may receive local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia. The genital area is cleaned with antiseptic, and a local anesthetic jelly is applied.
Cystoscope Insertion: A small telescope (cystoscope) is inserted into the urethra to visualize the bladder neck and urethral lining.
Injection: Using a fine needle, 3–4 deposits of Bulkamid are injected into the urethral tissue just below the bladder. The injections are placed to create a “cushion” that narrows the urethra and supports closure.
Completion: The cystoscope is removed, and the patient is monitored until they can pass urine, usually 2–3 hours after the procedure.
Number of Sessions
Most women require 1–2 injection sessions to achieve optimal results, while men may need up to 4 sessions. If additional injections are needed, they are typically spaced three months apart to allow the hydrogel to integrate into the tissue. New York Health
Benefits
Minimally invasive with quick recovery
Can be performed in an office or ambulatory surgery setting
Provides immediate improvement in urine control for many patients
Long-lasting effect as the hydrogel is resistant to absorption and degradation
Risks and Side Effects
Temporary burning sensation or mild bleeding during urination
Small amounts of hydrogel may pass into urine initially
Risk of urinary tract infection, which is minimized with prophylactic antibiotics
Rarely, additional injections may be required if initial improvement diminishes
Recovery and Aftercare
Patients are usually able to resume normal activities quickly. Initial urinary symptoms typically resolve within 24 hours. Follow-up may include assessment of continence and planning for additional injections if needed. New York Health
Effectiveness
Clinical studies show that Bulkamid is effective for female stress urinary incontinence, with many patients reporting significant improvement in urine control immediately after the procedure and sustained benefits over several years. The procedure is considered a safe alternative to more invasive surgeries like sling or mesh procedures. bostonscientific.co
*******************
@deidre77 Thank you for information..I am still scheduled for Bulkamid insertion on 4/7 so hopefully it will give me some relief. Most importantly I will be able to start BCG therapy if urologist is satisfied with Bulkamid results.
Urologist did mention if Bulkamid did not work I may need a Sling to hold bladder up. But that means holding off on treatments. One problem seems to lead to another.
@rafcer
I hope this treatment will prove to be an effective one for you.
Please update on how you are feeling afterward.
Sending best wishes.
@jlp27 my first round of 6 treatments went very smoothly with just frequent urination and scar tissue / blood clots but my next round wasn’t so smooth, had lot of burning and had a uti. Dr reduced my dosage to half for the next 3 but only could tolerate. first 2 it’s been a struggle for 6 weeks trying to get over this one
Waiting to see my dr for follow up. Do anyone know of a better treatment than bcg I feel dr may discontinue it because I can’t tolerate it
@s38mmhoser Sorry to hear of your difficulties with the second round. All 9 of my BCG doses to date have been what they call 1/3 BCG dose. I've tolerated that very well, especially when I read of others having difficulties. My second cystoscopy after the second round of 3 was NED, and now I'm scheduled for the third round of 3 BCG instillations in May with the next cystoscopy at the end of June. I've read where a 1/3 dose of BCG is not that atypical and seems to be as effective as higher percentage dosages. You might consider dropping to a 1/3 dose. There are other alternatives such as Gem/Doc or Adstiladrin. Regardless of which path you take, best wishes for a tolerable successful outcome.