BCG

...oh and I am male

Hi Hamwa, I have only had one bcg installation so far and noted it in my profile. I am female though so cant give you accurate description of what its like for a man. I actually found the procedure easy and painless .

There are many on here who will reach out to you.

much love Angela

I have just finished my first six BCG treatments (November). They use a very thin catheter to place it in the bladder. The catheter is in and out in minutes so is minimally disruptive. It is not as invasive as a cystoscopy and less impactful on the penis than the rigid resectoscope used for the TURBT. There are some side effects which I realized more later in the treatment, mostly severe fatigue. Keep in close contact with your BCG nurse.

Good afternoon Hamwa . After 15 BCG  I have no problems to report. Apprehensive for the first but after that it becomes almost routine . Uncomfortable rather than painful and I can’t recall any side effects or reactions. Relax and go with the flow .

Hi Hamwa, Everyone is different, but in my experience I felt stingy and a bit urgent for the evening after I was allowed to pee it out. I drank lots to flush it through. I think you should find a 6 week BCG treatment manageable. 

I found treatment day became routine, but I slept from school run to school run (I'm a mum in her 40's) the whole of the next day!

Hi Hamwa.

I can completely understand being apprehensive. My first experience of a catheter was the one they left in after my TURBT. Which was a lot bigger and chuffed a bit on the way out for sure.

As others have commented the BCG insertion isn't really painful but more uncomfortable. The catheter is only left in for minutes and you will be given a numbing gel.

When inserted they asked me to not wee for 2 Hours, which isn't always possible. I'm often very close to the 2 hours though.

The urgency too wee is very strong for me for 24 hours or so. They recommend drinking lot's of water afterwards to flush out the BCG. So stay close to a loo.

They also advised to wee sitting down to avoid splashing and then bleaching the toilet after each wee for six hours after the 1st wee.

BCG is a live vaccine, so needs to be treated with caution etc. I'm sure they will give you more information on this anyway.

I've now had 12 BCGs in the last year or so and don't find the actual process too bad. It's just the constant urgency that I find the worst part which goes fairly quickly.

My nurses are lovely which makes thing's easier for sure.

Of course everyone is different and has different experiences, but the actual treatment doesn't really bother me now.

Best of luck and keep us updated.

Kindest Regards.

It's not too bad at all, it seems the more you have the harder it gets but you can get through. Lots of water and rest for the day after. 

Hi , I’ve only got three more BCG treatments to go , so far had 24  .I am so used to it now and you do get used to it . It can be uncomfortable but it sounds a lot worse than it is . It’s a long haul but you will get there . Stay positive drink plenty to flush yourself out , I also took ibuprofen an hour before and that eased the discomfort . All the best . Dave 

Hi Hamwa. I have just had my fourth instillation today. Like you I was apprehensive about the treatment,but apart from a slight discomfort when the catheter is inserted,it is over in five minutes. 
Luckily I have had no side effects to speak of. I pee a bit more often after which is due to drinking more fluids to flush my bladder of the BCG. 
I hope your treatment goes well and that your nurse has a gentle touch