BCG Side Effects: What's your experience?

Posted by rjlpool502 @rjlpool502, Jul 17 10:15am

Had BCG treatments just over a month ago and had a few side effects I wanted to let others know about. Posted before about extreme fatigue. Two hour naps, go to bed early and get up late. Did not hit me until after my 6th treatment. For about two weeks after that last treatment had some other issues also. I have Acid Reflex Disease, some arthritis and IBS. All three acted up very badly after sixth treatment. My medicines seemed to stop working for the acid reflex and my arthritis was worst ever. The IBS was bad too. Worst seemed to clear up over next two weeks. Just a heads up.

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Sue | @swh | Jul 17 12:14pm

Thanks. Good to know while trying to coordinate treatments while still working full time. 3 more weeks until I start.

scott232 | @scott232 | Jul 18 10:19am

I had my 2nd BGH yesterday. Feel ok today. I had a difficult time holding in the medicine after the procedure. Leaked several times before two hrs were up. Had no problem on the 1st treatment

skind6 | @skind6 | Jul 18 11:11am

Ive had 6 wks bcg then 2 rounds of 3 wks bcg. I dealt with fatigue following the 4th treatment and beyond. Haven’t had bcg since April, although I continue to feel more tired than usual. I hope your side effects subside.

skind6 | @skind6 | Jul 18 11:13am

In reply to @swh "Thanks. Good to know while trying to coordinate treatments while still working full time. 3 more..." + (show)

Sue,
Lets think positive, maybe you will not deal with any side effects. According to my doctor, some ppl feel fine throughout all bcg. Praying for you

barondog | @barondog | Jul 24 8:34am

I am on stage two with the three infusion therapy treatments. One thing I noticed I do get some very slight bleeding and I do feel tired. Other than that it’s not that bad.

barondog | @barondog | Jul 25 7:55am

Yes, I’m on the three infusion therapy treatment also and noticed some bleeding and more tired from when I had the six infusion treatment.

mrollins | @mrollins | Nov 23 3:56pm

In reply to @scott232 "I had my 2nd BGH yesterday. Feel ok today. I had a difficult time holding in..." + (show)

I start my 6 week BCG treatment at the beginning of January. Praying it doesn’t make me sick. My doctor told me it was for one hour. Does anyone know if it’s different for everyone?

Sue | @swh | Nov 24 8:05am

Finished 6 week treatment in October with no problem only some fatigue. I did Friday morning treatments so I could rest on the weekend. I didn't drink anything before treatments and only starting drinking water 1-1.5 hours during hold so I could void at 2 hours & start bleach disinfection. Others have reported similar so hopefully all will go well for you too. Waiting is the hard part.

judilafleur | @judilafleur | Nov 24 8:01pm

In reply to @swh "Finished 6 week treatment in October with no problem only some fatigue. I did Friday morning..." + (show)

I experienced fatigue but that was easy to deal with.

knottiebc | @knottiebc | Nov 27 2:59pm

Just completed 6th BCG treatment. Other than extreme fatigue, I am okay. I am a 90 year old widower with no family nearby. I live alone and the only company I have is my Sheltie. There are no support groups for bladder cancer or depression in the area. This loneliness is hard to handle. Suggestions as to how to deal with this would be much appreciated.

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