1. < Bladder Cancer

Anyone had gemcitabine and docetaxel for Bladder Cancer?

Posted by rjlpool502 @rjlpool502, Oct 18, 2024

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.

meandmybadbladder24 | @meandmybadbladder24 | Jan 17 8:17pm

Thank you for asking how my last chemo treatment of gemcitabine (gemze) and docetaxel went. The sixth, my last treatment, was excruciatingly painful and definitely the most difficult. My apologies ahead of time as my post is quite a ‘negative Nancy’ reader!
Let me begin by saying at the beginning of my sixth appointment, I requested that a catheter be placed in my bladder in order to ensure I would hold the first chemo solution, Gemcitabine, for 90 minutes . This was the first time I had a catheter during chemo treatments. The catheter would be removed after the first chemo treatment as I had no problem holding the second chemo treatment docataxel.
After 13 minutes, my bladder (again) began to spasm and I was in a tremendous amount of pain. I had mentioned in a previous note, these bladder spasms continued for several more episodes during this ( last my sixth) treatment.
Each spasm episode grew in intensity, lasted between two to four minutes each.
The nurse came in to check on me between my bladder spasms, and said ‘everything looked fine’ . Not sure how that could be. I informed her of my painful spasms and how uncomfortable I was feeling. My face most certainly showed that! It was as if she had no answers for me. Maybe there are no answers other than voiding one’s bladder.
As the 90 minute mark approached, with tears rolling down my cheeks, I asked my husband to ‘please get the nurse and have her remove the catheter. I am done.’
The gemcitabine chemo episodes had left me beyond exhausted, traumatized, not to mention most painful, (oh I did say that!) and certainly the longest 90 minutes of my life.
I can take pain. In my view, this last treatment with its level of pain was over and above what any individual should endure. I continue to be at a loss for words. ?Is there no med, or relaxant to give to a patient who experiences these awful side effects?
The nurse was aware I struggled from my first treatment holding (not holding bc it was voided shortly after being injected) the gemcitabine. Also voided the gemze treatment on one other occasion and informed her immediately.
I do plan on discussing this w my surgeon when I meet with him for my first follow up in February. I am not reading anyone has reported the same side effects while going through the gemze chemo treatment and that is a red flag for me. Frankly I am perplexed by this!
My intent is not to scare anyone reading this, only to make others aware of what I experienced while going through the six gemcitabine/docetaxel chemo treatments. Appreciate all who have taken the time to read my above note. I welcome your input.
Wishing everyone pain free chemo as well as a positive healing journey.

REPLY
vars57 | @vars57 | Jan 15 4:54pm
In reply to @rjlpool502 "Mine got worse each week but tolerable. I had six." + (show)
@rjlpool502

Mine got worse each week but tolerable. I had six.

Jump to this post

Thanks for sharing. I was told the side effects would probably worsen as I continued treatment so I’m glad they’ve at least started out mild.

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rjlpool502 | @rjlpool502 | Jan 15 4:42pm
In reply to @vars57 "I’m just getting my second treatment of Gemcitidine/ Docetaxel. Side effects from the first treatment were..." + (show)
@vars57

I’m just getting my second treatment of Gemcitidine/ Docetaxel. Side effects from the first treatment were tolerable - just some minor flu like symptoms.

Jump to this post

Mine got worse each week but tolerable. I had six.

REPLY
1 reply
rjlpool502 | @rjlpool502 | Jan 15 4:42pm
In reply to @deb2024 "How are you doing after your last treatment?" + (show)
@deb2024

How are you doing after your last treatment?

Jump to this post

Had a cyctoscopy last week and Dr again sees some red spots that concern him so have to go in for another scraping and biopsy Feb 4th. Have had both BCG and Gem/Cit chemo don't know what next. At least no obvious cancer tumors this time. Maybe ???...

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2 replies
kjv12345 | @kjv12345 | Jan 14 8:28pm
In reply to @deb2024 "I am on the 2nd year of gem/doc monthly treatment." + (show)
@deb2024

I am on the 2nd year of gem/doc monthly treatment.

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Have you had any hair thinning on your two year treatment

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1 reply
deb2024 | @deb2024 | Jan 14 2:42pm
In reply to @kjv12345 "I am having the same treatment but I go once a month and this will be..." + (show)
@kjv12345

I am having the same treatment but I go once a month and this will be for two years. I have completed 5 of the 24 treatments.I barely drink any fluids the day of my treatment. I only have to do one hour before voiding it for both.
I understand how 90 would be very hard to do as one hour I feel is tough.
Hope this helps.

Jump to this post

I am on the 2nd year of gem/doc monthly treatment.

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1 reply
deb2024 | @deb2024 | Jan 14 2:39pm
In reply to @rjlpool502 "Thank you for you input. Having my 5th dose gem/doc tomorrow with one to go after..." + (show)
@rjlpool502

Thank you for you input. Having my 5th dose gem/doc tomorrow with one to go after that. Scheduled for a cystoscopy end December to see inside if it worked. Good to hear your good news. Hope it continues to work for us both. Take care.

Jump to this post

How are you doing after your last treatment?

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1 reply
vars57 | @vars57 | Jan 14 8:39am

I’m just getting my second treatment of Gemcitidine/ Docetaxel. Side effects from the first treatment were tolerable - just some minor flu like symptoms.

REPLY
1 reply
kjv12345 | @kjv12345 | Jan 13 9:39pm
In reply to @meandmybadbladder24 "Hello,Today Monday 1.6.2025, I completed my sixth and (hopefully) last chemo treatment using the gemcitabine and..." + (show)
@meandmybadbladder24

Hello,Today Monday 1.6.2025, I completed my sixth and (hopefully) last chemo treatment using the gemcitabine and docetaxel chemo solutions. Two solutions given at two different intervals. (My TURBT surgery was Nov 1.).

My chemo procedure was as follows:
• the gemcitabine was injected into the bladder first, via a catheter, the solution is held for 90 minutes. The bladder is voided.
• Next, the docetaxel was injected via a catheter.
Held for 90 mins, again, the bladder is voided.It was a difficult process as I struggled holding the first chemo solution. I voided after approximately 15 minutes on two separate occasions. On both those occasions, I was still given the second chemo treatment- Docetaxel.

The remaining four treatments were administered and with great difficulty I managed to hold the gemze (Gemcitabine) and the Docetaxel was administered afterward.

I wonder if anyone would be willing to share their experience with the Gemcitabine and Docetaxel chemo bladder solution treatment.
I found it very difficult to hold the gemcitabine solution for 90 minutes. Each gemze treatment burned my bladder and I repeatedly experienced painful spasms that lasted two to four minutes.

Hearing how someone else tolerated (or not) this chemo will help me understand if there may have been something I could have done differently prior to treatments. Maybe take an anti spasmodic medication? Or ?Thank you for your input,

Jump to this post

I am having the same treatment but I go once a month and this will be for two years. I have completed 5 of the 24 treatments.I barely drink any fluids the day of my treatment. I only have to do one hour before voiding it for both.
I understand how 90 would be very hard to do as one hour I feel is tough.
Hope this helps.

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2 replies
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 13 9:13pm
In reply to @meandmybadbladder24 "Hello,Today Monday 1.6.2025, I completed my sixth and (hopefully) last chemo treatment using the gemcitabine and..." + (show)
@meandmybadbladder24

Hello,Today Monday 1.6.2025, I completed my sixth and (hopefully) last chemo treatment using the gemcitabine and docetaxel chemo solutions. Two solutions given at two different intervals. (My TURBT surgery was Nov 1.).

My chemo procedure was as follows:
• the gemcitabine was injected into the bladder first, via a catheter, the solution is held for 90 minutes. The bladder is voided.
• Next, the docetaxel was injected via a catheter.
Held for 90 mins, again, the bladder is voided.It was a difficult process as I struggled holding the first chemo solution. I voided after approximately 15 minutes on two separate occasions. On both those occasions, I was still given the second chemo treatment- Docetaxel.

The remaining four treatments were administered and with great difficulty I managed to hold the gemze (Gemcitabine) and the Docetaxel was administered afterward.

I wonder if anyone would be willing to share their experience with the Gemcitabine and Docetaxel chemo bladder solution treatment.
I found it very difficult to hold the gemcitabine solution for 90 minutes. Each gemze treatment burned my bladder and I repeatedly experienced painful spasms that lasted two to four minutes.

Hearing how someone else tolerated (or not) this chemo will help me understand if there may have been something I could have done differently prior to treatments. Maybe take an anti spasmodic medication? Or ?Thank you for your input,

Jump to this post

@meandmybadbladder24, I moved your questions about treatment with gemcitabine and docetaxel chemo to this existing discussion:

- Anyone had gemcitabine and docetaxel for Bladder Cancer? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/gencitabinedocetaxel-for-bladder-cancer/

I did this so you can read previous posts and connect with members like @rjlpool502 @sepdvm @deb2024 @ljashton @lennoncc @kjv12345 @jimg56.

@meandmybadbladder24, how did your 6th and last treatment of gemcitabine and docetaxel go? When is your next follow up appointment?

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