I am a seven year surviver of bladder cancer. I am currently on three weeks, every three month maintanence BCG. My cancer kept coming back. I have had two six week treatments (one six weeks treatment with interferon)that was the hardest one. I have had several three week treatments. I have been cancer free since July 2006. That was my last removal surgery of cancer. The maintanence BCG has kept my...
The catheritization procedure. One of the six scheduled treatments had to be postponed for a week due to extreme sensitivity and pain in the urethra. I find that taking pain medication prior to the installation of BCG, especially around the third or fourth week helps trmendously.
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Anonymous | Female | Patient
4/23/2023
Condition: Cancer of the Bladder
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
Had a 6 week treatment in 2020. Actually had no side affects during that time. But a month or so later starting feeling achy all over body; no rest remedied it. Saw few drs & no one knew why. Till this day very fatigued daily, all over body aches, no energy. Still had a recurrent growth on bladder which was removed & still undergoing cystology & cystoscopy every 3 months. Don't think it was worth it. Haven't been the same since.
1
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Nancy | 65-74 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
12/8/2021
Condition: Prevention of Recurrent Bladder Cancer
Overall rating 4.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
My initial 6 week treatment went so smoothly that I thought it was a very easy process. My maintenance treatments have been difficult and long lasting. Burning, intense pressure, frequency, blood, are still present after 8 weeks and I’ll be starting another maintenance treatment soon. I’m concerned that each treatment will just get worse but they are working so it’s better than the alternatives.
1
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Jacob9 | 75 or over | Male | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
7/3/2015
Condition: Prevention of Recurrent Bladder Cancer
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
Following bladder surgery in February 2010 I began weekly infusions of BCG for 6 weeks. The first three infusions went fairly smooth,however the fourth one made me sick and the fifth one made me very sick, with fever, hallucinations, frequent and painful urination. The Urologist stopped the infusions after the fifth one and I did not have recurrence of bladder tumors for 4 years.
1
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countryboy | 65-74 | Male | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
1/8/2015
Condition: Cancer of the Bladder
Overall rating 2.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
Just started this procedure 3 weeks ago and have had lots of pain when urinating. Have to go as soon as I feel the urge otherwise I will dribble until I can empty the baldder. This review might be a little premature.
7
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wavelloyd | 75 or over | Male | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
4/15/2014
Condition: Cancer of the Bladder
Overall rating 2.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
It has been 5 weeks since last treatment, still have pain while urinating, many trips to rest room, can not hold my urine, have no capacity now, gets me up 4 to 5 times every night.
9
1
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mike | 55-64 | Male | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
11/27/2013
Condition: Cancer of the Bladder
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
had two six week treatments separated with a month off. Cancer is still there. was a very tring experience, lots of burning and control problems after each treatment.
6
1
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bety | 75 or over | Female | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
1/16/2013
Condition: Cancer of the Bladder
Overall rating 1.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
just started on treatment
2
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[email protected] | 65-74 | Male | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
9/27/2012
Condition: Cancer of the Bladder
Overall rating 4.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I have had 15 treatments over a 1.5-2 year period. It seems to be working as I have not had a recurrence yet of the high grade tumors that were removed on 2 TUR procedures. I have had some longer than usual side effects after the last treatment in first of September. It has worked for me up to now.
13
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life | 45-54 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Caregiver
8/30/2012
Condition: Cancer of the Bladder
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
In 2010, a full course of BCG was given to my husband. During the treatment he endured ongoing bleeding and burning. The bladder cancer has been in remission so far. But, one year later, he developed a chronic cough; at the same time, his right testicle became inflamed and enlarged. Pathology showed that the testicle was infected by a side effect of BCG treatment called Dispersed BCG Infection – it was removed. A CT scan revealed damage and infection in both his lungs, also a result of the BCG treatment and the cause of his cough. The doctor hopes to control the infection in his lungs with multiple antibiotics for at less 6 to 18 months, but indicates it may not be curable. All this led us to believe “chemical weapons of mass destruction” would be another way to describe the powerful drugs like BCG and many other chemotherapies. We know they are destructive; we just do not have choices in many cases on this journey called life. I wish you all the best luck. Read More Read Less
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1
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Anonymous | 75 or over | Male | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
8/10/2012
Condition: Cancer of the Bladder
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
4
1
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dlj | 65-74 | Male | Patient
6/11/2012
Condition: Cancer of the Bladder
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
Recently went through six weeks of BCG treatment. To early to render opinion as to it's effectiveness. The treatment left me with ongoing bleeding and burning, discharging of dead tissue and constance urge to urinate day and night.
9
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army | 75 or over | Male | Patient
8/17/2011
Condition: Cancer of the Bladder
Overall rating 2.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
pain after bcg treatment.pain for 3 months after the last bcg treatment
8
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hambgbety@aol .com | 75 or over | Male | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
6/22/2011
Condition: Cancer of the Bladder
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
very bad alot of discomfort the next day starting to bleed alot every so often no real answear from the docs. thier explaintion drink 64 oz. of water will help and thats it ,my husban is not happy at all we dont get to many answear from the doc.then to go though this agin not his cup of tea thiers got to be something better out thier then this
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1
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JR98683 | 55-64 | Male | On medication for 6 months to less than 1 year | Patient
4/5/2011
Condition: Prevention of Recurrent Bladder Cancer
Overall rating 3.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
The side effects are horrible, being sick with the chills and flu for three days and the treatmment is very painful, but it sure beats having to cancer come back.
3
1
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RB | 45-54 | Male | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
8/20/2010
Condition: Cancer of the Bladder
Overall rating 3.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
UPDATE: 1 year after surgery to remove bladder tumor and a years worth of BCG treatments have yielded no more tumors! Treatments are still very difficult and leave me whiped out for several days. Difficult but effective.
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GRANDMA | 55-64 | Female | Patient
5/10/2010
Condition: Cancer of the Bladder
Overall rating 1.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
FELT ROUGH THE FIRST DAY. jUST WEAK AND LISTLESS
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2
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sprinkle | 25-34 | Female | Patient
5/1/2010
Condition: Prevention of Recurrent Bladder Cancer
Overall rating 4.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
i am ok with the drug with two kids i hate having to be carefull afterwards. i just had it for 6 weeeks and was okay for 2 yrs now it is back and im scared. after removal in dec this drug was not available. now that it is they again ave to remove new growths.
2
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Molson | 65-74 | Male | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Patient
3/7/2010
Condition: Cancer of the Bladder
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I found this treatment to be extremely uncomfortable and I am very nervous prior to having this treatment at the doctors office. After trying to hold the BCG inside my bladder for around 2 hours, I begin to have extreme urges to urinate constantly. When I do urinate it is very painful with lots of blood and dead skin. The first night after the treatment is a nightmare with getting up every 20 to 30 mins to pee, constantly all night long. So much for a good nights sleep!!!!! The treatments have been very helpful but I wonder of they are in fact really necessary!Read More Read Less
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RB | 45-54 | Male | On medication for 6 months to less than 1 year | Patient
2/5/2010
Condition: Cancer of the Bladder
Overall rating 3.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
UPDATE: Cystoscope after 6 months revealed no tumors. Treatment still uncomfortable but tolerable. Seems to be working for me.
11
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LW | 55-64 | Male | On medication for 6 months to less than 1 year | Patient
11/5/2009
Condition: Cancer of the Bladder
Overall rating 1.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction
I was diagnosed one year ago and have had four surgeries to remove tumors. After each surgery I received BCG treatments for six weeks. After each treatment period the tumors had returned and more numerous than before. The doctor is going to switch to Mitamicin and see if that drug does any better.
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