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Question

Girly1
0 Recommendations

I am going for my 4th BCG/Inferon treatment this week and as they progress I get worse side effects. Last week about 4 hours after the treatment I had the flu like symtoms so bad I was shaking with the chills then hot and everything in my body ached down to my fingers. The next day I was scared to wake up because I thought I would feel the same but it was like it never happenend, I felt good. I know people react differently but does anyone think the side effects means that it is working? I wish I knew and I guess only time will tell until the doc goes in to see but I wanted some opinions on this.

Explore topics in this discussion:

Cancer Surgery Fever Kidney cancer Bladder cancer

7 replies

Kyle-MO

Hi Girly1,
My bcg/interferon treatments did get a little worse after the first one. I had the joint aches,but never chilled with them. Sometimes I thought I had a fever, but when I checked it, it checked normal, but my uro said to notify him if I ran a fever. If you haven't been checking your temperature, I would recommend you do that periodically during the day of your treatment.
I would certainly hope the side effects I experienced through my treatments meant it was working.
Best of luck with your remaining treatments.
Kyle

Girly1

Thanks Kyle for your thoughts. You know I didn't even know that Interferon was part of the treatment until I heard the doctor say the word and I said what is that. The only reason I knew what it was is because of BCAN. He also told me that I would need these treatments for 2 years WoW what a surprise that was.

Shiz

Girly,

When I described side effects of BCG to my Uro he said that was good because that means it's working. I have gone over a year with no recurrence (knock on wood) so maybe there is some truth to his perception. The side effects did also get worse each time.

Good luck the rest of the way. Stay strong and positive!

Girly1

Thanks, your right maybe there is some truth to what the doc was saying, I will keep my fingers crossed.I will find out on November 23rd when the doctor goes in and hopefully no tumors, because my original surgery Sept 9th I had 13 tumors. You see I had Kidney cancer in April and had left kidney and ureter removed. I went to another urologist yesterday and he seems to think that maybe the cancer was already spread to my bladder but the doctor missed it. I guess we will never know that for sure. The only thing that I can do is hope and pray that it never goes to my other kidney.

lsh

I also have had BCG treatments. I've done 6 inductions treatments, and two sets of maintenance(once a week for three weeks every three months). My doc stretched the maintenance treatments to once every 6 months when I was clear for a year. As for the side effects...mine got so bad that they lowered the dose. I still had side effects...they only lasted for a few days instead of a month. We'll all be hoping that you are ALL CLEAR in November.

Lynda

Moonerj

Hi Girly
I think everyone reacts different to the treatments.
My experience was 6 treatments with no side effects, tumor again, 6 treatments with no side effects, tumor again, then 6 treatments with many side effects, but no tumors, then 12 monthly maintenance treatments, major side effects, but no tumors. Now nearly 2 years cancer free.
All the best
BCG = Bladder Cancer Gone
Jack

simpleone

Hi Girly;

Due my history my doctor used only 33 percent strength for the BCG treatment. You might want to discuss it with your doctor. Still there were side effects. Stay strong and keep talking with the doctor.

Wishing you well

Simpleone

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