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My BCG Treatment road

Background:
Low grade, non invasive. Discovered May, 2019. Tumors removed. 6 weekly treatments with Gemzar. 2 Tumors grew back. 2 Tumors removed.
Current:
March 5, 2023 started weekly BCG treatment. Three down, 3 to go (for now anyway). Cystoscopy scheduled for April 21, 2023.
Treatments 1 -3 ; 2:45 p.m.
Held chemical in bladder for 2+ hours.
After emptying process I immediately took 2- 99.5 mg AZO tablets
(otc). Didn't take any additional AZO after initial 2.
While resting a bit drank 24oz. of water.
Rest of the day stuck around the house and continued to drink water and some coffee. No sugary drinks of any kind, which is the norm for me anyway. Had dinner. Overnight required a few interruptions of sleep to urinate, so a little tired day after.
For me... No burning during urination. No obvious side effects of those listed as possibly occurring. Frequent urination as expected.
Yep, orange color urin due to the AZO.
NOTES: Well, our bodies seem to react differently but I believe taking the AZO when I did and drinking a lot of water soon after and continuing that really helped eliminating burning sensation. I have had a few UTI occurrences, usually after a minor procedure so I know how uncomfortable that feeling is.
Anyway, I will see how the next 3 weeks go and update this post. Yes, I'm to understand treatment with BCG is very effective in a high % of cases so......

  1. @RonnieF - thank you for sharing your story. I am happy to hear that your first 3 treatments have gone well and hope that the rest do also. Great that you found a way to reduce the burning side effects of this treatments. I wish you success with BCG and hope that you are NED following your follow up cysto. Keep us updated and my best to you. Linda Urbanski, (moderator, Bladdercancer.net team member)

    1. Thanks so much for sharing your experience. This helps others going through this so much. Glad things are going well for you. Wishing you well as you continue your treatment. Laura, Moderator, BladderCancer.net

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