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First BCG treatment: What to expect?
Yesterday marked my first adventure with BCG. The treatment went well. I was surprised by the small amount of BCG that was administered. I expected to experience a full bladder but, in reality, had no uncomfortable fullness. I thought I would be asked to lay in various positions to allow the BCG to reach my entire bladder. That wasn't necessary. I remained on my back for 60 minutes with a pillow, a warm blanket and a tv remote control. (I remained because I am incontinent and the BCG would have leaked out had I been released after administration of the medication.) Since my departure, have experienced burning sensations when urinating and a tiny amount of blood, but no other symptoms. Have been flushing twice, washing my hands and keeping my Depends in a separate bag for disposal. Otherwise, no special measures. Doing fine and grateful for the compassionate care and expertise available in Urology at Mayo Clinic Rochester. Also appreciate this helpful web site. Thanks Mayo.
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Hi,
My bladder cancer was discovered completely by accident! Was sick of taking Tamsulosin for 3 years having never seen a urologist, only his assistant. Ended up in emergency room unable to pee.
Told my primary I needed to see a urologist ASAP! She set me up with a new urologist in Rutland,VT and things started to happen! While getting a "green light" treatment to reduce the part of my prostate which was constricting, my
urethra, she discovered a small tumor in my bladder. To date,
I have had 4 sessions of BCG, and will have my 5th in 01/2026. My latest cystoscopy
shows no sign of cancer, for which I eternally grateful.
I will repeat treatment one more time in 2026, and if clear,
this will be the last for the time being. I really feel very blessed and extremely lucky!
In 2022 I was bitten by a deer
tick and got the Tribeca! Lyme,
Annaplasmosis, and Babibiosis.
The treatments were worse than anything I had ever experienced, so it prepared me for what was to come!
85yosk8r
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2 ReactionsHi everyone. I finished my 4th treatment BCG treatment today. So far except for today, all have gone pretty good. There was a new person doing it today, and she was having a lot of trouble getting the catheter in. It was a lot more painful this time. 2 more weekly treatments to go and then I go back to my urologist for a recheck a month after the last treatment.
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2 ReactionsJust diagnosed with bladder cancer. Cysto showed all clean on inside, catscan showed all normal on outside. Biopsies showed carcinoma in two locations. Both were confined to interior no invasion of muscle wall. Doc prescribed immunotherapy with BCG solution injected directly into bladder. Series of 5 injections spaced weekly required.
Has anyone experienced this treatment? If so was treatment successful and were there any side effects? Thank you for any info you can provide
I am getting BCG treatments right now and have had 5 so far. No pain, I just experience some urge incontinence on treatment day and a little fatigue day after. I also experienced very mild headaches day after treatment but just for the first two treatments. All in all, no complaints. Good luck!
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1 ReactionI’ve had my first 6 and a clean cystoscopy after. For me there were virtually no side effects, but that varies widely among patients. Good luck!
Than you. That is what i am hoping for.
I'm about to start along with Imfinzi a new medication that gives a %36 chance of working better with BCG there is a world wide shortage of the TB version so I'll be on BCGr a man made trial both are trials the FDA just released the Imfinzi it was working on people with small cell Lung cancer, until recently most who had small cell Cancer didn't have much luck , my brother had Bladder cancer so it is hereditary, he's now 9 months cancer free , we will be dealing with this the rest of our lives unfortunately, my late Uncle Hank had it for at least 20 years kept coming back, worse side effects ac wording to my brother is stinging when you pee, I couldn't pee because a tumor was blocking my Bladder neck good luck I'll pray for you 🙏
Thank you and may God Bless You. These treatments are tough.
Are you being administered
TICE BCG or rBCG treatments?
@carmen332 I do recommend being treated at a top notch cancer clinic. Top docs are what you want, to avoid misdiagnoses.