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I am glad I found this website, and I would like to tell more of my husband's story.  It is Actos and Bladder Cancer - Possible Link  Please read the rest of the story, and comment on whether you have bladder cancer and take actos, if you desire to share this information. Thank

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My 78 year old father was diagnosed with a Stage 1 T1 Grade 3 tumor in Jul 2009. He successfully went through a TURBT and six BCG treatments with minimal side effects. In Mar 2010 he had a follow-on biopsy ... good news; no evidence of the cancer. Then he started BCG maintenance in May 2010. We had 3 treatments scheduled. After the second treatment he started shedding the lining of his bladder so we stopped treatment. Here is the issue: he has pretty significant burning when he urinates. This started with the BCG maintenance treatments in May and still continues today (3 months). He had

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I'm a 47-year old female (non-smoker) who was diagnosed with bladder cancer in March 2010.  My pathology showed high grade papillary urothelial carcinoma with superficial invasion into the lamina propria.  I've gotten 3 opinions and my options are BCG therapy or cystectomy (neobladder).  I'm afraid to do the BCG therapy because of the the low cure rate and high return rate.  I know the cystectomy has a higher cure rate, but has a high rate of complications.  Does anyone have any advice for me?  I have 2 teenagers that need their

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Had my 6 BCG treatment yesterday. Went well.  Some blood, some pain when urinating. Pain is less this morning but urgency is still there. Drinking lots of water to flush the system.

Pat if you are there: My doctor is leaving area in 3 weeks and new Urologist won't he here until June so he is sending me to OHSU for followup treatments. All my information has been forwarded and they will be calling me to make appointments.

It is 100 miles from where I live, but have family and friends there so I will have a place to stay.

So will be getting to know a new doctor and since this is a cancer

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Had 5th BCG.   In my  6 hour, bleech in toilet, time frame.  Again there is blood on tissue each time I urinate.

Has anyone had this problem?? Is this something that happens??  I had this last time and the doctor said probably slight cath trauma.  With BCG being what it is, isn't cath trauma during the treatment dangerous??

 I am becoming very concerned. I will call the doctor in the morning and let him know about the bleeding.

If someone has had this problem I would really appreciate some

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Well my 5th treatment had to be cancelled due to an infection detected when they did the urine test. Am on an anti-biotic but still not feeling good.  I had not been feeling good since my 4th treatment but assumed it was just side effects.

I was very disappointed as I am looking forward to getting this done.  Oh well, I will take my medicine and hope it takes care of the infection and then get on with

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Hello,

Have my 5th BCG tomarrow.  Treatments have gotten a little more difficult in some ways.  I have been feeling ill, 3rd treatment about day and a half, flu like symptoms but minor pain when urinating. 4th treatment flu symptoms lasted until Saturday and had tinge of blood the first 3 times urinating after treatment also have started feeling very tired.

Talked to doc, said blood probably from minor cath trama and flu symptoms are side effect and may be increasing due to build up of BCG.

I will be glad when this is over. Basically doing okay and after treatment side effects subside I feel

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Hello all,

Have had second BCG treatment and got through with no problems what-so-ever.  I am also feeling better than I have felt in months. No pain when urinating, only get up once a night and am not feeling tired.

I really am amazed at how good I am feeling, also very grateful.

Want to wish all a Happy New Year.

Carol

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Hello,

My name is Carol and I was diagnosed with bladder cancer, early November, had the surgery,  was staged T1 carcinoma in situ, and tomorrow will begin BCG treatment.

I have had irritation and urgency since the surgery. The only thing that has helped is drinking lots of water. The meds the doctor gave me did nothing.

I have been okay until today. I just wish it would all go away. I realized that I am scared.  I have 3 children, a bunch of grandchildren and 1 brandnew great grandchild. I don't want to spend the rest of my life being afraid so am looking for others who have been there to talk

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I have created a flow chart for bladder cancer patients.  It can pretty much be used at any time from initial concern about the potential of having bladder cancer through various stages of treatment.

 My hope is that people will find this useful.  Rather than posting it everywhere and having to try to maintain version control on a number of sites, I am putting the link to ABLCS forum where I originally posted it.

I am not a doctor but I do have a good bit of experience as a bladder cancer patient.  This guide has been reviewed by a number of other bladder cancer survivors as well.

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