I'm giving a tentative report on acupuncture to help with BCG side effects. I wish there were two of me, so one of me could be the experimental body and the other the control, and then I'd know for sure if acupuncture was helping. But here is my best guess:
After BCG treatment 1 had a lot of side effects. BCG treatment 2 was triple the side effects. After BCG treatment 2 my acupuncturist said my Chinese pulse was way too high, and she worked on my bladder and kidney meridians, which apparently weren't in good shape. She felt my body was being overwhelmed by the BCG and was unable to cope well with it. That is certainly what it felt like.
I just had BCG treatment 3, and have had way fewer side effects than BCG treatment 1 even, and it was a HUGE improvement over BCG treatment 2.
So is it the acupuncture helping? (In addition, of course, to all the prayers and support I have received from you all.) Maybe so... My acupuncture session yesterday went well, and she said before she started that my chinese pulse was "normal" for the first time. She said she felt my body was handling the BCG much better now than at first, based on what was going on in my meridians. (What that is I have no idea, not knowing much of anything about Chinese medicine...)
I know acupuncture is used to help people cope with side effects after chemotherapy. Perhaps this is why I am doing better with BCG treatment 3?
But again, I'd like a "control" body to know for sure... :-) I should say she is Chinese born, studied medicine in China, came here and got a masters in public health and an acupuncture degree from one of the best acupuncture schools in this country, and she is GOOD. I'm sure that makes a huge difference in the outcome. -Jan
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Acupuncture & BCG: reporting in
- By SilverGrizzly
- Posted November 5, 2009 at 9:59 am · 14 replies
- In Living with non-invasive bladder cancer
- Shared with the public
- Edited November 5, 2009 at 10:11 am
Explore topics in this discussion:
Cancer Chemotherapy Pain Back pain Acupuncture Bladder cancer
14 replies
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- By mycopper
- Posted November 5, 2009 at 11:00 am
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That's terrific. I believe everything is worth a try. I don't think I could convinv\ce my husband of that but never say never. LOL
- By jj803
- Posted November 5, 2009 at 11:14 am
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If it is helping you that's an improvement. Best wishes for the continued relief of side effects.
JJ
- By Moonerj
- Posted November 5, 2009 at 1:03 pm
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Too bad we couldn't get about 5 people currently on BCG treatments who are struggling with the side effects, and also put them on acupuncture.
We could have our own clinical trial.
That would be so neat to read"Bladder Cancer Patients Discover Key To subduing BCG Side Effects"
You never know Jan, you could be on to something.
I actually hope you are.
BCG = Bladder Cancer Gone
Jack
- By lsh
- Posted November 5, 2009 at 1:25 pm
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I'm with Jack. Wish there could be something that would make the treatments easier to handle, but not hurt the way it works. Keep us posted on how it goes with 4-6.
Lynda
- By SilverGrizzly
- Posted November 5, 2009 at 2:35 pm
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Well, I got the idea of acupuncture from a health care professional in California who had helped about 6 or 7 bladder cancer patients. He was also an acupuncturist. It was his feeling that the acupuncture could help with the side effects, which is why he recommended it to me. We'll see how it goes from here on out...
- By SilverGrizzly
- Posted November 5, 2009 at 2:40 pm
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Excellent idea, Jack! I'm for starting our own clinical trail! :-) I'll be the first to sign up.
I think western medicine probably has a lot to learn from eastern medicine, if only we would listen.
I'm thinking after I'm done the BCG I'll talk with her about what the eastern medicine approach to treating cancer is. Since our kind comes back so readily I think it is totally worth exploring what other options might help besides just the BCG.
Before I started the BCG she had me on a few herbs to help with my digestion, and they really helped. Of course, I couldn't use them during the BCG for fear of intefering with the treatment, but my uro OK's the acupuncture itself.
This is a whole new world for me, but I find it fascinating.
- By Kyle-MO
- Posted November 5, 2009 at 2:48 pm
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That is very interesting ! Personally I would'nt know the first thing about where to even go for acupuncture, much less what's all involved.
If you think it's making your treatments more tolerable, then I say go for it !
Take care,
Kyle
- By SilverGrizzly
- Posted November 5, 2009 at 3:13 pm
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I know what you mean--I wouldn't have had a clue where to go either. This awesome person in California who suggested it had a huge computer database of acupuncturists all over the country. He looked at the ones in my area and recommended the one I am going to because she has had such excellent training. I got lucky... -Jan
- By Kyle-MO
- Posted November 5, 2009 at 3:23 pm
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I think it would be very interesting if she could obtain some information about what they do regarding treatments of bladder cancer.
Best of luck in your remaining treatments Jan !
Kyle
- By Karego
- Posted November 5, 2009 at 4:37 pm
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SG, acupuncture was a big help to my son who was struggling with back pain for bulging and herniated disks more than a year ago. It allowed him to continue working and gave him enough relief so that he could sleep.
It did more to alleviate his pain than the epidural shots the pain doctors gave him.
The needles work on the nerve pathways throughout the body. So, makes sense that it can be beneficial. Nothing invasive and completely safe and easy treatment.
Karego
- By SilverGrizzly
- Posted November 5, 2009 at 8:00 pm
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Karego,
Thanks so much for your post. I really had no idea how the acupuncture was working, so it's interesting to hear your story. I'm so glad for your son, that he found something that helped his pain. My supervisor at work has the same problem he did, and she's been absolutely miserable. I'll suggest some acupuncture! -Jan
- By 15yrsurvivor
- Posted November 6, 2009 at 1:13 pm
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It is really great to hear that you have found something to help you. I hope the benefits continue!
I was wondering, is there any pain or discomfort with the needles?
- By SilverGrizzly
- Posted November 6, 2009 at 1:36 pm
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I felt a sharp twinge as she inserted the needles, but after that, no, it doesn't hurt. In fact it is very relaxing to lie there for 40 minutes with no where to go and nothing to do. :-)
- By Donna49
- Posted November 7, 2009 at 8:44 am
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SG,
I had accupuncture as a last resort for a soft tissue injury and it was the ONLY thing that worked for me to relieve pain. Now once a year I usually go and get it done and I LOVE it. I actually thought about it while on BCG but was on a hectic schedule and didn't get around to it. If it works for you - excellent! I am all for the marriage of eastern and western medicine.
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