Is anyone else on GemCis for their bladder cancer?

Hi lb230

Yes iam gem/cis. Iam about to start my 3rd and final cycle. 

The first round was ok nothing major only tiredness 

The second round floored me. Extreme fatigue and I couldn't walk very far. I had severe pain in my leg muscles which added to the weakness 

It's the accumulation of the drugs over the process. Cisplatin is the stronger of the two. The steroids don't help matters much but are part of the process 

People seem to suffer from constipation on the cycle but I went the other way with loose bowels 

Gem/ cis will affect people in different ways we are all individual it just a matter of getting to the end as best you can. Iam not looking forward to the 3rd cycle with its accumulative effect but the show must go on.

Wishing you all the best for you next cycle 

Mark

Thanks Mark. Sounds like you’ve had a rough time with it.  Soon be over for you I see. I have to do 6 cycles. It could be tough. I wish you all the best and hope the outcome is very good. X

Cheers lb230

As I say its an individual thing. Just try to remember where it's all leading to 

Hopefully you get through without any hiccups 

Best wishes 

Mark

I did Gem/Cis and tolerated it well without any severe effects during treatment. I later developed tinnitus which was really bad for a time but then subsided. It still comes and goes now and again but usually mild and bearable. The platinum element of Cisplatin can effect your hearing, so let your team know if you notice any changes. Best wishes.

Thanks Rily. It’s good to know your GemCis journey was tolerable. I will watch out for the tinnitus. It’s something I already have but in a tolerable way at the moment.  Fingers crossed. 

Hi I had 4 cycles of it (2 weeks on, 1 off) 2.5  years ago &  the oncologist adjusted the doses after I got an allergic reaction but after some steroids from the GP it all calmed down. I did get v tired on it and perhaps they could have operated after round 3. 

I guess any chemo is strong stuff but the idea was to shrink the tumour so when they operated they could get it all out. 

I'm still here, aged 72. A bit battered but carrying on

Good luck,

Latestart

Fantastic to hear. Long may it continue for you.

Hiya, I had 3 cycles of gem/cis nearly two years ago. Main issues for me were nausea and a metallic taste, but I got through it and have come out the other side, minus a kidney and ureter, but more importantly minus the cancer!! Stay strong and wishing you well on your journey 

Annie x

Thank you Annie. Your journey is very supportive to me. I have 6 cycles to get through but after the third Inwill get a scan to see if the cancer has got smaller. I hope so! 

Mine was locally advanced G3 and it shrunk enough to have surgery, there is always hope! 

Annie x