Anyone have pain after BCG Treatments, especially with urination?

Posted by tgsmith @tgsmith, May 1 1:13pm

I’m receiving BCG treatment for a bladder cancer. I’m on my fourth week. Has anyone had pain after the treatment I have and it’s severe when I have to go to the bathroom please let me know.

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I want to clarify the Botox was for the incontinence not the radiating pain going up into my chest and down my arms when urinating. The pain did stop after the Botox and I no longer have incontinence.

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Profile picture for lannak @lannak

This is an amazing way to communicate with each of you while on this path! I as well have radiating pain down both arms and into my index finger and thumb when urinating post BCG. The first 8 hours is excruciating pain, bilateral arm neuralgia, with passing small clots. I see a neurosurgeon since I had 5 cervical spine surgeries. This has stumped him. I’m curious how many other of you have experienced bleeding and passing of clots during the immediate hours post BCG treatment?

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I had the pain, and only a few blood clots

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Yes. See the many comments below. A little blood and clots can happen and did on some of my treatments, but I'm on blood thinner. I found the pain got worse with each subsequent treatment, the first series of 6 and now my 3 mo 3 treatment maintenance, but never outside of my urinary track. Tylenol/codine didn't help much. Docs at Yale did say outcomes haven't seemed to be reduced when BCG concentration is reduced, but I'm reluctant to risk that. Uribel may help. An ice pack seemed to help somewhat. Drink lots of water to flush out the BCG. Someone below mentioned botox and another mentioned Urogesic which I'll be asking my doc about. Also, I had my worst pain when, it turned out, I had a URI at the time of treatment. Get tested first thing before introduction of the BCG as you should not have it done if you have a UTI per my doc.

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This is an amazing way to communicate with each of you while on this path! I as well have radiating pain down both arms and into my index finger and thumb when urinating post BCG. The first 8 hours is excruciating pain, bilateral arm neuralgia, with passing small clots. I see a neurosurgeon since I had 5 cervical spine surgeries. This has stumped him. I’m curious how many other of you have experienced bleeding and passing of clots during the immediate hours post BCG treatment?

REPLY
Profile picture for tgsmith @tgsmith

I’m so sorry, I too had the pain that radiated upwards through my whole body. Every time I would urinate which was ever 15 minutes it started on my fifth treatment was severe on the sixth treatment, thank God it was my last treatment I personally would not have been able to continue because the pain was that severe. My urologist was not sure what it was stated I could be having a reaction to the BCG treatment. All I know is there is no way I can do the treatment again not that type of pain praise God my three months cystoscope came back clear I go back in October for a repeat. I am praying for it to be clear as I said I do not believe I could do the treatment again not with that type of pain so I do understand and my prayers are with you.

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One more day the doctor had given me three different medications. None of the three helped.

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Profile picture for isitreal @isitreal

I have had several rounds of BCG. It left me pretty tired, but I could deal with that. What was difficult was the radiating pain that went in my chest and down my arms when urinating. Now I’m in a trial, 0007 Bond. The radiating pain continued. Luckily it wasn’t every time I urinated. None of the doctors seem to know why. One of them said they thought it was connected to fibromyalgia. My body overreacting to the bladder spasms. The treatments have caused me to be incontinent. Last week I had my first injections of Botox in my bladder. Hallelujah the pain urgency and leaking has stopped.

Jump to this post

I’m so sorry, I too had the pain that radiated upwards through my whole body. Every time I would urinate which was ever 15 minutes it started on my fifth treatment was severe on the sixth treatment, thank God it was my last treatment I personally would not have been able to continue because the pain was that severe. My urologist was not sure what it was stated I could be having a reaction to the BCG treatment. All I know is there is no way I can do the treatment again not that type of pain praise God my three months cystoscope came back clear I go back in October for a repeat. I am praying for it to be clear as I said I do not believe I could do the treatment again not with that type of pain so I do understand and my prayers are with you.

REPLY

I have had several rounds of BCG. It left me pretty tired, but I could deal with that. What was difficult was the radiating pain that went in my chest and down my arms when urinating. Now I’m in a trial, 0007 Bond. The radiating pain continued. Luckily it wasn’t every time I urinated. None of the doctors seem to know why. One of them said they thought it was connected to fibromyalgia. My body overreacting to the bladder spasms. The treatments have caused me to be incontinent. Last week I had my first injections of Botox in my bladder. Hallelujah the pain urgency and leaking has stopped.

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Profile picture for talltxlady @talltxlady

Hi @tgsmith and welcome. I'm sorry you're having such pain urinating after BCG #4. It can be painful going the restroom after. My doctor prescribed some bladder numbing meds which does help. It's called Uribel, but there's also good ole Pyridium (aka AZO standard, OTC). Give your doc a quick call or inbox, I know they will gladly prescribe you a bladder numbing rx for some help/relief. BTW, I start taking mine the morning of my treatments. When I go to my appointment and they collect my urine sample, they know I've taken my Uribel ;)) GodBless

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I take a pill called Urogesic - Blue and it is very effective in reducing pain and urgency.

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This is almost the same as the prescription strength (prescribed to my husband) and it’s over the counter. It has helped him and the over the counter equivalent helped a neighbor who is also undergoing BCG.

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Hi there, dreading the thought of BCG treatment for high grade Urothelial. Cancer in situ. I have mixed histology, the other is rare Small Cell Carcinoma to which I had chemo / radiation last year. It’s clear on PET/CT & on latest Cystoscopy . Now already suffering from radiation induced cystitis how on earth am I going to cope with BCG treatment. I find out this week if it is to be trialled. Both cancers are supposedly non muscle invasive. But very aggressive & poor prognosis. I’m wondering if I should push for Radical cystectomy.

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