After effect of BCG treatments

Sounds about right for a lot of us. You might ask your doc about Pyridium/Phenazopyridine (helps some with pain and a little with urgency) or Oxybutynin (better for urgency but may have some side effects). Phenazopyridine is available OTC at lower dosage than the prescription form.

I am a 12 year bladder cancer survivor. Urgency may or may not be related to your BCG TREATMENTS. I suggest you call your urologist and be specific on how often, did urgency increase over time or onstart happen suddenly, etc. I have weakness in my pelvic floor muscles. I have both stress and urgency bladder issues. These are not related to my treatments. It’s related to my core and pelvic floor muscle and tone not BCG treatments. . Suggestion: . See what is causing this increase in frequency. May u stay bladder cancer free!

Hi @jayson1210, I agree with @perky and @rmcmullen. You may wish to check with your urologist to confirm that cause of the urgency to urinate. It may be related to something other than after effects of treatment.

I'm also tagging additional members like @texascitylady @sue225 @glgraham @judith4 @tuck19xkrle @plugger @ljashton @momforbracknkik @makaylinh and @ggarrepy who have had Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) treatment for bladder cancer.

Have you been checked for a urinary tract infection?

My frequent urination was caused by bladder shrinking to 25% of normal. This happened after the 9th or 10th month of the BCG journey. I urinate every 40 to 60 minutes (24 hours a day), so far for 14 months. I have been unable to find anyone (doctor or patient) familiar with bladder contracture. Had bladder capacity testing done...my bladder held 125ml, about 4 oz, maximum.

Diagnosed with bladder cancer 6 years ago. Have had numerous BCG treatments every 6 months. I have pain through my body which seems to go up & out through my arms. Spasms, urgency to urinate & frequent urination during treatment phases. Finally, after years of letting the uroligist know about this, he prescribed Phenox which has helped. I see it mentioned on this site that there is an alternative to having a scope every 6 months. I believe it is a blood test? I am in Canada, but would welcome a less invasive way than a scope for 6 month check-ups.

I had very little reaction to the BCG except after the fifth treatment and that lasted for the rest of the day then I was fine. Unfortunately, the BCG failed for me. In five weeks post treatment, I had areas where muscle invasion was suspected. So Rad Cystectomy Sched 3/21

I'm sorry to hear your BCG failed. Sending healing thoughts for 3/21.

I first started BCG treatments in the late 1980's for my bladder cancer. It was a monthly dose back then. I was stage four in the lamina wall when I started taking it again four years ago. I too experienced frequent urination and pain but it turned out I get bladder infections now at the drop of a hat, especially after cystoscopies. I am back on a weekly BCG regiment, a five week course, every Friday and am experiencing the same issue now after my third of five. I have taken so many antibiotics it scares me but what are you going to do. I am going to try and get tested for a UTI this afternoon.