Anyone had gemcitabine and docetaxel for Bladder Cancer?
Just had second of six weekly doses Gem/Doc chemo infusion for my bladder cancer. Had six doses BCG but cancer came right back. Mine is aggressive but non invasive at present. Been scraped out twice. Any one else having this type chemo? Would like to compare notes.
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Bladder Cancer Support Group.
Just finished six weeks with the Gem/Doce and have not experienced any hair loss yet.
I’m getting my treatments as infusions directly into the bladder is that how you are getting your treatments my doctor said I could
Not be having side effects since it’s an infusion and not getting through my entire body. I been having these infusions for 4 months
Please
Let let
Me
Know as I think I want
To go back to BCG treatments and see what happens
My husband thinks after 9 total treatments he’s had some thinning. Not bad, though.
Hair thinning or even total hair loss may happen 3 to 4 weeks following treatment with gemcitabine and docetaxel for bladder cancer. Not everyone is the same. I'll let @lennoncc @ljashton @rjlpool502 @deb2024 jump in with their personal experiences with hair loss.
@kjv12345, are you on gemcitabine and docetaxel? How many treatments have you had so far?
Has anyone experience hair thinning with this treatment
My husband had TURBT surgery in July o remove a tumor followed by a 2nd TURBT in September to determine if there was any further growth or muscle involvement. Thankfully,
there was no cancer invasion in the muscle and he started on the Gem/Doce regimen earlier this month for 6 weeks. He had his 2nd treatment this week. After the six weeks, he will have a cystoscopy in December so his schedule is similar to yours. He hasn't had any side effects from either treatment. After his cystoscopy they have told him long term maintenance will be once a month for two years.
Yes it’s once a month for three months after the cysto- as long as he stays clear. Although fatigue and frequent urination are his usual symptoms, he still gets anxious prior to treatments. Once a month definitely gives him time to recoup. We are so thankful this treatment is effective and we were able to find it closer to home. We are from Kansas and almost committed to spending 6 weeks in Rochester in the winter… brrr. Found that KUMed Center in KC offered it. They are great!
I’m not sure how long he has to do this regimen- but I would think he’ll be done by June or July.
Thank you for your post it was encouraging. Have my last of six doses this coming week then a cystoscopy at the end of December. What is the maintenance dose? I think I read somewhere that is once a month? My side effects have been moderately rough, very sick for a couple days, so I am hoping for less treatments for maintenance if my cystoscopy goes well. Take care and hope you stay well.
My husband was diagnosed in September 2022 and after 2 rounds( 12 doses) of BCG with four TURBTs he was switched to gem/docetaxel. He had 6 doses of each and is in on the maintenance schedule of that regimen after two cancer- free cystoscopies. He has few side-effects- fatigue mostly. He’s very encouraged….so just to encourage you:)
I hope you have great results from this treatment program. I’m always anxious to see what the cysto reveals so I’m sure you experience this also. Thinking about you!