Do you have increasing incontinence following BCG treatments?

Posted by Deidre77 @deidre77, Mar 6 11:33am

Do most members experience increasing incontinence following their BCG treatments? Yesterday I had my 4th round and today, I have already experienced two incontinence episodes. What a terrible feeling to be in the kitchen preparing breakfast when all of a sudden, it's akin to a dam breaking and there is nothing you can do about it but rush into the bathroom for a complete change of clothing.

I have had isolated incidents in the recent past so I am no stranger to this, unfortunately, but it seems to be happening more often lately. I am aware of medications which can attend to this problem but when I read about the side-effects, I am hesitant to take a chance on any since I am hypersensitive to everything it seems.

I would like to know if any members have this increasing difficulty and whether they take any medication/s to attend to this disturbing problem.

Thanking in advance those members who respond.

Best wishes,
Bobbie/deidre77

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Profile picture for jimbol @jimbol

Had an old school doctor for primary care until about seven or eight years ago. Had a digital prostate exam every visit. Since I switched primary care and even we going to urologist, I have not had but one digital prostate exam (only after specifically requesting. Have had a deny bladder tumor removed about a month ago and still having pain during urination. Shouldn't I have had a digital prostate exam at some point during this malady?

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@jimbol - (benign bladder tumor ).

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Profile picture for Deidre77 @deidre77

I have uncontrolled incontinence as a result of having had six BCG treatments. My urologist told me this will be transitory but it has been a long time since my last treatment and it is becoming worse with time - so much so that I am never sure when this will occur. It is not a matter of leakage but rather a downpour so to speak and it has become extremely discouraging. I am intending to seek a second opinion as I do not wish to continue with BCG since my scope afterward showed the presence of two flat tumors.I am now entering my second year and the added burden of continued incontinence is extremely demoralizing. I am interested to know if others have sustained incontinence following their treatments and how they contend with this discouraging issue.I would appreciate any responses and thank you in advance.

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I completed six instillations of gem/doce this past June. On July 17th I had a cystoscopy to check on the success of the treatment and no cancer was found. However, my incontinence has increased since this treatment and especially since the cystoscopy. I contacted my pelvic floor PT to see if there is something else I can do as kegels alone are not helping. I have gone from one small pad each day to three or four large pads. I have even leaked through a few times. It is very unsettling and a bit depressing.

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Profile picture for sbassmeister @sbassmeister

I completed six instillations of gem/doce this past June. On July 17th I had a cystoscopy to check on the success of the treatment and no cancer was found. However, my incontinence has increased since this treatment and especially since the cystoscopy. I contacted my pelvic floor PT to see if there is something else I can do as kegels alone are not helping. I have gone from one small pad each day to three or four large pads. I have even leaked through a few times. It is very unsettling and a bit depressing.

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@sbassmeister
First of all, it is good news that no cancer was discovered after your scope.
This is something to be grateful for.

I am sorry to hear of your difficulty following your gem/doce treatment. It seems incontinence may be a common problem following some treatments and while some experience this, others may not.

As I had mentioned in this thread, I also went from tiny pads for drips to huge pads several times a day and at times had no control whatsoever before I was able to reach the bathroom and both underwear and shorts were soaked. I can well understand how depressing this is!

I am wondering whether there are inherent side effects associated with each treatment modality and some individuals may experience this while others do not.

Of course we have to rationalize that this may be the cost of preventing the appearance of those tenacious tumors and I'm sure each sufferer will likely forge ahead - with a hopeful attitude.

When you mentioned the incontinence to your doctor, what was his response?

May your success continue and sending best wishes.

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