Hello. I’m LB230 and just joined the community. I have had bladder cancer for 3 years but it has turned difficult now. Last Turpt procedure was a grade 3. I am now at the start of Cycle 2 of chemotherapy.

Hello LB230 and welcome to the group, although sorry to hear you are feeling the effects of the chemo. Unfortunately, it can take its toll as time goes on. The steroids are meant to help with energy levels, but can affect sleep patterns. Chemo can cause dehydration, so important to keep drinking plenty of water. Do you know the next step for you after the chemo ? Best wishes.

Thanks for response. I have to have 6 cycles of chemo with a scan after each third to see if the cancer has shrunk. It’s mostly in the glands and wasn’t found in any major organ. What happens after is still a mystery to me although the oncologist did mention immunotherapy.  I haven’t really researched this as I don’t think it would be very nice. I’m leaving that on the back burner for now.  

Hi LB230,

Sorry to hear about all this. I had terrible trouble with constipation until I stopped the tablets that cause it -  only felt mildly sick once, increased my water input and, magic ingredient, kept eating lots of broccoli soup. My husband and daughter made gallons of the stuff but it worked a treat (and tasted delicious). 

I had muscle invasive bladder cancer from the start so had 4 cycles of 2 on 1 off for chemo then the bladder removal. 

I also had 3 rounds of Immunotherapy though they stopped it because of side effects (in my case pins and needles in hands and feet -  quickly resolved by steroids -  although otherwise I felt fine on it). But if you don't get them they say a full year of it is very protective.

Good luck

Latestart

Thank you for that info. My GP has advised me to get a step ahead of the powerful steroid by taking Laxido powders a few days before and that should help with the constipation. I can’t say I am a fan of these powders as they seem to make my stomach uncomfortable. The steroids are very unpleasant.