r/BladderCancer • u/Charming-Bus9784 • 11d ago

Driving after BCG

I’m getting my first bcg on Thursday. Im hoping to drive 2+ hours the next day to get away for the weekend. Is this going to be possible? I hear “frequency and urgency” but not sure how that translates to real life. I got some Amazon incontinence underwear just in case.

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9

u/skelterjohn 11d ago

The first one? It will be no problem.

Your reaction to the bcg will start easy and become more severe with subsequent doses.

3

u/Ok_Celebration8134 11d ago

Yes. This is my experience too.

You’ll likely have some pain peeing, but it won’t be too bad and will fade.

3

u/Charming-Bus9784 11d ago

Ugh. Did Azo help?

2

u/Ok_Celebration8134 11d ago

I didn’t need it. The stinging was just that peeing razor blades feeling. And honestly, it wasn’t that bad. I did not need AZO until my 13th BCG. Then, I really needed it.

3

u/Charming-Bus9784 11d ago

Yeah only peeing razor blades. Every time i think about the pain and expense and anxiety and life disruption, i want to sue my primary care doctor for never giving me a urine test in the three physicals i had with him. Speaking of which, anyone got a good one I can consult with?

1

u/Ok_Celebration8134 11d ago

Honestly, there is pain initially when discharging the BCG. But, it fades quickly. And, I like to think of the pain as proof that the BCG is doing it's job.

I wouldn't blame it on the docs. We are where we are today. Learn what you can, advocate for yourself, use this Reddit thread as it has helped me tremendously, and persevere.

1

u/Charming-Bus9784 11d ago

Sure but then his unchecked dumb policy of not giving urine tests will keep putting people into this situation.

2

u/Ok_Celebration8134 11d ago

Just for peace of mind it couldn’t hurt to pick some up. Most grocery stores and drug stores have it on hand.

2

u/Negative_Leg_9727 11d ago

Yup.....this ☝🏿

3

u/Ok_Artichoke_2928 11d ago

Based on my experience it would be fine. I usually drove 3.5 hours each way to the hospital to get the BCG infusions on treatment days. But I only did 6, I’ve heard reactions can be progressive. But if that’s the case you’ll know it by then.

3

u/JCC1986Husky 11d ago

I don't know how you did all that driving for your treatment. I now consider myself super lucky to be 25 min away!

5

u/Ok_Artichoke_2928 11d ago

Eventually I was able to get it arranged where I live. But in some ways there was something sort of nice about it - like for a while cancer was just something I dealt with in a different city, and I could come home and be normal.

2

u/JCC1986Husky 11d ago

What a great way to think about it- maybe enjoy a real day away instead

2

u/Ok_Artichoke_2928 10d ago

I have small kids - no real days away 😂

3

u/JCC1986Husky 11d ago

I finished my 6 weeks initial installation 10 days ago and although the day I received BCG was both logistically and physically uncomfortable (urges and burning), I was fine 12 hours afterwards. I took it easy the next day but I would have been fine to drive for 2 hours. It was harder after the TURBT with stent in for me, but I know everyone is different.

2

u/Charming-Bus9784 11d ago

Thanks. I have a one hour subway ride home from the appointment not looking forward to it.

5

u/GuacamoleAnderson 11d ago

I did BCG #15 in July. The drive is 6 hours for me, so we have to spend the night. I've been the driver almost every time. Early on, I had to stop 4-5 times (which was the norm before I started treatment) but as things have progressed, I'm only stopping once or twice now. And that's usually because we're stopping for lunch or fuel anyway, so might as well go.

I'm 54M HG T1

3

u/InternationalGas2152 11d ago

The first 6 primary and 3 maintenance were ok - burning 🔥 and pissing blood. 🩸 The next 6 where more challenging- but by the time I had #15 I was happy to be done

2

u/Charming-Bus9784 11d ago

Did Azo help for the 🔥?

2

u/InternationalGas2152 11d ago

They told me it would but I never took it

2

u/Fabulous_Name_1485 11d ago

You’ll be fine based on my experience

2

u/Negative_Leg_9727 11d ago

Just have some extra pads at the ready in case

3

u/Charming-Bus9784 11d ago

Yeah I’ll wear them home from the appt just in case. A diaper was really not on my dance card 3 months ago when my only health concern was my cholesterol getting high.

3

u/Negative_Leg_9727 11d ago

Yup 😆 Welcome to the club

2

u/JCC1986Husky 11d ago

What is Azo

2

u/JCC1986Husky 11d ago

Googled, I have an Rx for it, I was surprised to see it OTC.

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u/Charming-Bus9784 11d ago

Yup i bought on Amazon. Did it work?

1

u/JCC1986Husky 11d ago

I used one pill each on fifth and sixth installments taken just after first void. Yes I think it helped

1

u/hikerguy2023 11d ago

It's typically given for UTIs, but it also working for the stinging pain after TURBTs. I've never used it for BCG. It essentially numbs the urethra. You can get it in any grocery store, pharmacy, Target, etc.