Anyone had gemcitabine and docetaxel for Bladder Cancer?

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!

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.

I have high grade non invasive bladder cancer. I did the six weekly treatments of gem/docetaxel & then 1 treatment monthly for 3 months then a cysto & then another 3 month cycle of chemo & now in my 2nd year of treatment cycles. Have had good results with these treatments. I have a few side effects after each treatment but am able to deal with it.