
post BCG pain Tippytwo After his BCG treatment this week, my husband has been experiencing a lot of pain. He contacted the doctor who prescribed an antibiotic, ciprofloxacin 500mg, and phenazopyridine 200mg.
Full Answer
How long does the pain last after a BCG procedure?
I had around 9 BCG treatments but they had to stop BCG treatment due to the excrutiating pain. In most cases this pain slowly goes over time (usually no more than 3 weeks).
Do the side effects of BCG go away?
Some side effects of bcg may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Can bladder cancer come back after BCG treatment?
60% of patients do not have their bladder cancer come back after BCG treatment, but 40% of the time cancer comes back within two years. First, make sure you haven’t had any fluids for four hours before the treatment.
What precautions should I take after a BCG test?
Such precautions include: 1 drinking plenty of liquids to help flush the BCG from the bladder 2 sitting, not standing, when urinating 3 adding undiluted bleach and waiting 15 minutes before flushing 4 washing the hands and genitals thoroughly after urinating

after effects of BCG bladder treatment
I haven't posted for a while but I'm interested to know if anyone has experienced or is experiencing anything like myself. My BCG treatment was stopped after 12 rounds due to the severe pain I was experiencing. That has now been over a year ago.
after effects of BCG bladder treatment
I'm very sorry to hear that you're struggling with side effects from your treatment. It sounds as if it's really impacting on your daily life and I can imagine that it is incredibly frustrating for you.
after effects of BCG bladder treatment
Hi, I have had my 14th bcg today and as always peeing is extremely painful and also have blood clots coming out. Despite taking Co codamol before treatment and after the pain is quite intense, and spend rest of the day in the bathroom.
after effects of BCG bladder treatment
Hi everyone. I am new to this forum. I wanted to share my experience i have had with stage 3 non invasive bladder cancer. I was diagnosed 2 years ago aged 48, I have had numerous turbts and currently on bcg Maintenance therapy. I had 2 induction courses because the tumour came back because I didn't have any treatment for a year due to covid.
after effects of BCG bladder treatment
Hi jojoxoxo, sorry to hear about your pain. You are not alone! It's now been 3 years since my diagnosis with non-evasive bladder cancer. I had around 9 BCG treatments but they had to stop BCG treatment due to the excrutiating pain. In most cases this pain slowly goes over time (usually no more than 3 weeks).
after effects of BCG bladder treatment
Hi, jojoxoxo, yes I feel like giving up also, this week has been one of the worst, normally pain stops after a couple of days but not this week. I am having 15th bcg this coming Monday and now have Tramadol for the pain but reading some of these replies I am thinking I should stop now before even more damage is done.
after effects of BCG bladder treatment
Hi, I have just found this post & am interested to see how everyone is doing now? Im sorry to hear of your situation & hope things are better. My husband has had 13 treatments & suffered the excrutiating pain you all describe after his 14th round of BCG. The pain lasted a few weeks & he was prescribed tramadol.
How long do you have to hold your urine for BCG?
During the treatment, a person will need to hold their urine for around 2 hours. After this, the healthcare professional will ask the individual to empty their bladder. The BCG drug contains live bacteria that a person can pass to other people.
What is the treatment for bladder cancer?
Bacillus Calmette–Guerin is a form of immunotherapy that doctors can use to treat some forms of bladder cancer. Following surgery to remove the cancer, this treatment can help prevent the cancer from returning.
How to keep liquid in bladder?
The healthcare professional will then either cap or remove the catheter to keep the liquid inside the bladder for a period of time. They may then ask the person to lay on their back and rotate from side to side. This movement helps the liquid reach all parts of the bladder.
Can you drink caffeine after BCG?
They may ask the individual not to drink fluids for several hours before the procedure. They might also recommend that the person avoids consuming caffeine immediately after having BCG immunotherapy .
aftereffects of BCG bladder treatment
Just trying to see if anyone else has had the same experience. Recently finished my second 'maintenance' treatment after being passed 'clear' following the main 6 treatments. So really good news but the aftereffects (if thats what they are?) seem to be lasting much longer than previously.
aftereffects of BCG bladder treatment
hello Dave, so you have , completed 9 BCG treatments, yes i would agree , the side effects do increase, i have just completed my twelvth . I found that the first 6 were ok ish but ,were feeling just a little more aggresive by number 6.
aftereffects of BCG bladder treatment
Hi James Thanks for that. l am beginning to realise that l may be getting off quite lightly having spoken to my BCG team. Things have improved a bit and l am hoping that l may have only one more maintenance treatment to come. You are absolutely correct about diet and keeping reasonably fit it really does help.
aftereffects of BCG bladder treatment
I have just seen this as had not visited Cancer Research previously & found the comments & experiences of great interest.
aftereffects of BCG bladder treatment
Hi. My first post. I have just had my cystoscopy following my 12th BCG treatment. I agree with others that the first 6 are a breeze, the second 3 more painfull, and the last 3 very painfull and drawn out. I asked for an extra weeks break between 11 and 12 to recover.
aftereffects of BCG bladder treatment
Hello dickie - I just had my 10th dose of BCG 4 days ago & no problems so far re. side effects. That is quite a relief after the last time, but as I have 2 more doses to go I will wait & see with fingers crossed. Apparently, according to my consultant & keyworker these effects vary greatly from person to person & also in severity.
aftereffects of BCG bladder treatment
Nice to hear you guys are going strong , I have not posted for a while.
The Early-Stage Bladder Cancer Treatment
Jennifer Welsh is a Connecticut-based science writer and editor with over ten years of experience under her belt. She’s previously worked and written for WIRED Science, The Scientist, Discover Magazine, LiveScience, and Business Insider.
Who Can Use BCG?
BCG is a treatment for early-stage bladder cancer that has not yet invaded the muscle of the bladder wall. Called non-muscle invasive bladder cancers (NMIBCs) or in situ bladder cancers, these account for about half of all bladder cancers. 3
What to Expect During BCG Treatment
First, make sure you haven’t had any fluids for four hours before the treatment. Right before you go into the treatment room your doctor or nurse will have you empty your bladder. 2
How to Prepare
To prepare for the BCG treatment, your doctor will likely have you undergo surgery to remove any visible cancer in the bladder. The surgery is called transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) and is usually done about two weeks before BCG therapy.
When to See a Doctor
There are a few side effects that can be especially dangerous, so make sure to talk to your doctor if you notice that you: 2
Other Treatments for Bladder Cancer
For many early-stage bladder cancers, BCG is the best option for treatment. Other treatments for bladder cancer include:
Summary
BCG treatment is a form of immunotherapy for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. It is administered into the bladder through a catheter. It then activates the body's immune system to attack the cancer cells.
In Summary
Commonly reported side effects of bcg include: urinary tract infection, detrusor hyperreflexia of bladder, fever, hematuria, urinary frequency, urinary urgency, vomiting, chills, and malaise. Other side effects include: arthralgia. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
For the Consumer
Bacillus of Calmette and Guérin (BCG) infections have been reported in health care workers and in patients because of exposure to the vaccine during preparation and administration. Serious and fatal disseminated BCG infections have occurred with intravesical administration.
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to bcg: intravesical powder for reconstitution, percutaneous powder for injection
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
