I have had 2 Turbet procedures and in total 15 Bcg treatments which I have coped with okay
however this year I have stated to feel more unwell fatigue and generally unwell I went to see my GP and after bloods she said I needed to take VitaminD3 and Folic Acid Also my sugar levels are raised so I am going to medication for that
Could this my body reaction to treatment I also have depression and anxiety
Hi Armyne,
I am Sharon, one of the nurses on the Macmillan Cancer Support Line.
I can see you have found the bladder cancer forum on our Online Community. I hope you are finding it a useful source of support.
It is often when you finish treatment that you are left trying to process your thoughts, and any existing depression and anxiety is going to add to your emotions. We are here for you if you need us. The support line is open from 8am til 8pm if you want a chat.
I am glad you have told your GP about your symptoms, and they are starting to address things. We can’t tell you what is causing of your symptoms as we don’t have access to NHS records or systems, but we can give you some general information to give you some idea of questions you might like to ask your GP or hospital.
You don’t mention how long ago you had your treatment. Side effects such as flu-like symptoms, blood in the urine, fatigue and painful joints are common after BCG treatment. They usually settle after a few days, but some people have longer term problems.
It is very rare, but it is possible to get a ‘flare up’ of the BCG bacteria in your body, which leads to infection, causing fever, nausea or vomiting, cough, skin rash and severe fatigue. This can happen some months after treatment and needs immediate treatment. It is explained on the Cancer Research UK website.
Keep your GP informed of your progress and of course, if things get worse at any point, if you get a fever or chills, or if you suspect that you may have an infection, it is important to get immediate assessment by either your GP, hospital team or 111.
In the meantime, it may be useful for you to start a symptom diary. It may help you to identify patterns of when it is happening, and what helps. It will give you and your GP a more accurate picture of what is happening.
If you are struggling emotionally, you may find the self-help tips on NHS website Every Mind Matters helpful. You can also seek support through Action Bladder Cancer UK and Macmillan support services.
Take care
Sharon
Clinical Information Nurse Specialist
