BCG Side Effects: my toughest side effect is lower back pain
I’m currently in my 5th week of BCG treatment. I’m experiencing numerous side effects, which I was expecting, and a few that I wasn’t.
Presently my toughest side effect to deal with is lower back pain. Prior to starting on the BCG treatment plan I didn’t have any issues dealing with my back.
I’m at the point now where it is almost impossible to do anything without experiencing tremendous pain.
Is this fairly common?
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Couldn’t agree more on your comments. It does help to talk about it with someone who has been through it. What is the old saying, misery loves company??
As I see it, there's not really any other option. I do not want to lose my bladder to aggressive bladder cancer.
It definitely did a number on my mental. It's hard to understand unless you've been through it. I found BCAN very helpful. I also was able to sign up for a mentor to call me. She was so kind and patient. I really enjoyed talking to her. Made me feel not so alone in the process.
Thanks for your input. I have also experienced most all of those same side effects. I admire you for sticking with this treatment plan for as long as you have.
Maybe it is just me but this has been brutal for me both physically and mentally and I’m only in week 5 of the induction period. I have gone from a very active lifestyle to one that is seemingly consumed and centered around the rest room.
Good luck to you.
Ready for a break.
Hi @jcold5619 I think everyone's side effects differ greatly. I'm in my 3rd year of bladder cancer treatment. Currently on a 6 month break. I've had 27 BCG treatments to date. The symptoms, side effects and irritation I experienced were mainly with my bladder. Horrible burning, urgency, frequency, inflammation and irritation. I also had some back pain, but honestly wasn't sure if it was caused by that or my arthritic back.
Good luck with the rest of your treatments and I do hope your pain will ease.
Praying that it resolves soon .
Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Immunotherapy for Bladder Cancer
Thanks for your input!!
19? Wow!
That is a lot to endure. For the both of you.. Hopefully your husband is nearing the successful ending of his treatment .
Good luck
@jcold5619: my husband just had his 19th BCG last Friday. The side effects he is experiencing are mainly flu like symptoms such as muscle pain and fatigue, of course burning pain when passing urine. He did not have back pain. Apparently side effects vary but should mostly subside before you start the next treatment. If not, you might discuss with your medical team to see if it makes sense to wait for another week. Drinking lots of water after the holding period is important.
The 1/3 dose was introduced due to the BCG shortage.
All the best.
Jas
@vickyhay you pose a very good question. I had a similar question myself related to another body system and the occurrence of cancer. There are SO many groups and discussions on Mayo Clinic Connect. They are largely categorized by body systems. Unfortunately concerns about cancer pertains to nearly all of them. In addition to that there are other groups and discussions devoted to other aspects of achieving good health and well being such as mental health, caregivers, spirituality ….. etc. When there are overlaps in a topic the discussion can be posted to more than one place. Sometimes the title can be changed to clarify what the discussion is about. Do you have any suggestions for making this discussion more accessible to the appropriate audience?
Thank you for your input. Just returning from my 5th treatment. One more to go on my 6 week induction period.
Is it common to drop down to 1/3 dosage after my time off? I had not heard that they will be doing any reduction in my dosage…..
Thanks again and good luck to you.