I hope this forum is still active. I have had a kidney transplant and I am 77 years old. I now have superficial bladder cancer. I have had two TURBT's and am now starting treatments. Because of the transplant, I am being given Gemcitabine and Docetaxel. I have a very large prostate and last year I had prostate artery embolization which incidently discovered the small tumor but did very little to reduce the size of my prostate.
This week I had my first treatment. I was only able to maintain both medications for a limited amount of time which I was told s/b 1 hour a piece. My next treatment I will be taking Oxybutynin 5mg prior to treatment to help with retention. I am getting vague responses regarding what the implications are if I cannot maintain the dosages longer.
Can you tell me if the treatments are adequately effective if I am unable to maintain the dosages longer?
Can you advise if there is an alternative treatment?
Any further suggestions?
Thank you
Joel Ratzker
I hope this forum is still active. I have had a kidney transplant and I am 77 years old. I now have superficial bladder cancer. I have had two TURBT's and am now starting treatments. Because of the transplant, I am being given Gemcitabine and Docetaxel. I have a very large prostate and last year I had prostate artery embolization which incidently discovered the small tumor but did very little to reduce the size of my prostate.
This week I had my first treatment. I was only able to maintain both medications for a limited amount of time which I was told s/b 1 hour a piece. My next treatment I will be taking Oxybutynin 5mg prior to treatment to help with retention. I am getting vague responses regarding what the implications are if I cannot maintain the dosages longer.
Can you tell me if the treatments are adequately effective if I am unable to maintain the dosages longer?
Can you advise if there is an alternative treatment?
Any further suggestions?
Thank you
Joel Ratzker
I am 77 and have fought bladder cancer 11 years with same treatment of Gem/Dox. My doc asked that I do the best I could, and as infusions continued, it got easier to keep drugs in. My cancer was “in situ”, but after a decade, moved to prostate. Now about to do MVAC chemo and have both organs removed. Unknown how my 77-year-old self will tolerate this next journey. Hang in there!
I hope this forum is still active. I have had a kidney transplant and I am 77 years old. I now have superficial bladder cancer. I have had two TURBT's and am now starting treatments. Because of the transplant, I am being given Gemcitabine and Docetaxel. I have a very large prostate and last year I had prostate artery embolization which incidently discovered the small tumor but did very little to reduce the size of my prostate.
This week I had my first treatment. I was only able to maintain both medications for a limited amount of time which I was told s/b 1 hour a piece. My next treatment I will be taking Oxybutynin 5mg prior to treatment to help with retention. I am getting vague responses regarding what the implications are if I cannot maintain the dosages longer.
Can you tell me if the treatments are adequately effective if I am unable to maintain the dosages longer?
Can you advise if there is an alternative treatment?
Any further suggestions?
Thank you
Joel Ratzker
Hello Joel @cparat100.
When my husband had bladder infusions it was BCG and one of the helpful things was the use of lidocaine gel along with the catheterization. It made catheterization smoother and likely numbed the urethra to perhaps ease the urge to release the meds during that hour. Not every nurse used this but my husband found it all went smoother when lidocaine was used. You might ask at your next instillation if that can be tried.
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I hope this forum is still active. I have had a kidney transplant and I am 77 years old. I now have superficial bladder cancer. I have had two TURBT's and am now starting treatments. Because of the transplant, I am being given Gemcitabine and Docetaxel. I have a very large prostate and last year I had prostate artery embolization which incidently discovered the small tumor but did very little to reduce the size of my prostate.
This week I had my first treatment. I was only able to maintain both medications for a limited amount of time which I was told s/b 1 hour a piece. My next treatment I will be taking Oxybutynin 5mg prior to treatment to help with retention. I am getting vague responses regarding what the implications are if I cannot maintain the dosages longer.
Can you tell me if the treatments are adequately effective if I am unable to maintain the dosages longer?
Can you advise if there is an alternative treatment?
Any further suggestions?
Thank you
Joel Ratzker
I am 77 and have fought bladder cancer 11 years with same treatment of Gem/Dox. My doc asked that I do the best I could, and as infusions continued, it got easier to keep drugs in. My cancer was “in situ”, but after a decade, moved to prostate. Now about to do MVAC chemo and have both organs removed. Unknown how my 77-year-old self will tolerate this next journey. Hang in there!
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1 ReactionIt sounds like you’re a tough guy. God is with you.
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1 ReactionHello Joel @cparat100.
When my husband had bladder infusions it was BCG and one of the helpful things was the use of lidocaine gel along with the catheterization. It made catheterization smoother and likely numbed the urethra to perhaps ease the urge to release the meds during that hour. Not every nurse used this but my husband found it all went smoother when lidocaine was used. You might ask at your next instillation if that can be tried.
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1 ReactionThank you for that advice. I will check Wednesday at my next transfusion.
Yep! Always requested lidocaine! Eased insertion and minimized post procedure discomfort.