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I just had my 5th BCG/interferon treatment today and after last weeks I started to see blood the more I urinated and pieces of blood in the toilet (sorry to get graphic).I had it at 11:00 today and already see it again. I asked at the doctors office if this was normal and they told me yes. It is alittle scary. Has anyone else had this as well.
It never happened to me but I have read others having it. Possibly the BCG/Inter is working, irritating the bladder so that tumours can't grow.
Someone will chime in with more info I am sure.
Maybe a call to your uro would be in order.
I asked them at the Uro office today and again they said it was normal. The reason I get scared is because I had Kidney cancer in April and that was the symtoms I had blood in the urine and pieces of blood so needless to say you can see why I am scared with only having one kidney now.
Hi Girly1,
I just finished my 6 rounds of bcg/interferon a couple of weeks ago. and all but the first treatment I had a few drops of blood at the end of voiding from about my second void until sometimes my 6th, or 8th. I also had some shedding, as some call it. My uro said the same as yours, because I mentioned it after every treatment. I keep a pretty thorough journal, and as soon as I get more time I will be adding all of my experiences with bcg/interferon a bit later.
I can certainly understand your concern about the kidney issue. If you would like to friend me I would like to ask you a couple of questions concerning your kidney cancer sometime, also what your follow up plans are.
Good luck on your sixth one. You've almost got them whipped !
Take care,
Kyle
Hi Girly1,
I was diagnosed with kidney cancer in Oct. of 2007, they removed the right kidney and the ureter,and part of my bladder. Since then the cancer has returned in my bladder seven or eight times, but it is a low grade cancer. After I finally went and got a second opinion last month I start my BCG treatments Friday. So I really dont have an awnser for your question, but as simular as our cancers are and how differant our treatments have been I feel you are in good hands with your Dr. and I wouldnt worry to much.
I wish you the best of luck on your next cysto and hope you are cancer free, will be looking forward to see your posts then.
Ron
Hi Girly1
I have had two sets of treatments of BCG. The first time I never noticed anything not even a burning sensation. The second round of BCG treatments I noticed a lot more irritation and noticed a couple of "pieces" of blood. Very small amounts and I figured that was normal. The BCG treatment is meant to irritate the bladder. So it would seem to me seeing small amounts of blood would be normal. I can see where your concern would come from. Having Kidney cancer would set an alarm off in me too. Hope your sixth treatment goes well and the BCG works for you.
Andy
I had some blood and lots of shedding following bcg/interferon. I really had next to no side affects with just bcg so for me it came as a bit of a shock. I checked with the doctor and was told normal as well. This continued on bcg+interferon #2 through #6. I affectionately refer to bcg+interferon as draino so you can guess how my bladder feels about it.
Jim
Thanks to everyone that responded to me. I must say that it does help when you listen to different peoples reaction to these treatments. I had a question a couple weeks back and it was Do you think if the side effects are bad that means its working? Well I got so many different responses it was actually kinda funny. So it seems eveyone is just not sure and the only way to find out if it worked or not is on November 23rd when I go for my Cycto to see if there are any new tumors.Anything is possible, I went to another Uro for a second opinion and he thinks that when I found out about the kidney cancer that it had already spread to my bladder then but thinks my uro missed it even though he took part of my bladder out for pathology.So you all can understand why I am so scared with only one kidney. I don't not want to be a candidate for a kidney transplant.
By the way I do apologize, I see that everyone puts there name at the bottom and I keep forgetting to do that. My name is Joan.
Hi Girly1.
My dad has always blood after BCG treatment(12 so far).It usually stops after 24 hours.It's the only side effect he experienced so far.He has also his left kidney removed on November 2007 and he's fighting BC since last January.
You should not worry,unless the bloody urine continues for more than 2 days.
Joan,
I had blood and blood clots each time I got a BCG instillation. I researched it and also posted questions about it a few years ago and while not everyone gets blood or blood and clots, it is fairly common.
Mike
Joan,
I appreciate this post as I didn't have any blood with the bcg, but did with bcg/interferon, and it did concern me as well.
Thanks to everyone for replying to this post.
Kyle
P.S. Good luck with your cysto on the 23rd !
Hi Joan:
My husband had blood in his urine on and off throughout his BCG treatments and related it to the insertion device/catheter. Still, he had an antibiotic after every treatments and perhaps you did too. Always good to keep an eye out but you're in the right hands with a doctor familiar with your health and history.
Keep posting, please, because we care and will continue to guide each other along.
Best,
Debbie
Thanks to everyone who posted about this. It makes me feel alittle better that others have experienced it as well but it is still very scary given my situation with one kidney.This is such a great site as it is good to talk with people who understand what is happening.
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