How long can you actually hold bladder cancer medication during treatment?

Holding intravesical therapy for the full recommended time can be really challenging, and many patients experience similar difficulties with retention times. The ability to hold the medication varies from person to person, and factors like bladder capacity, inflammation, and individual anatomy all play a role. It's encouraging to hear that your previous treatment was effective, and this experience with shorter retention times is something worth discussing with your care team - they may have strategies or modifications that could help make the upcoming rounds more manageable.

I have had multiple BCG treatments. Did not work and now I’ve had 10 Gem/Doc chemo. Sometimes I cannot hold it but try to do it as long as possible. Any amt of time you can hold it is of benefit. Good Luck

When I talked to my doctor about how long I needed to keep it, he told me that the longer the better but to try at least 40 mn. I have been lucky with keeping it for at least 1 hrs 50mn . Going. to the last one this Tuesday. It's been a up and down process during all this. Just hoping that bcg works for me.

I had BCG - 2 sets both failed. Did Gem/Doc and tested clear. Had trouble holding G/D for full times but it still worked. Got even harder toward #5 and 6. Hang in there. There is hope. I now do monthly treatments for maintenance and will be tested again after 3. Still have trouble holding all of it but try. Good luck all.

Has anyone tried anti anxiety meds.during the installation.The urgency of having to go never left even though I had a catheter with balloon. I thought this option might help me to use other skills to relax in that the urgency causes a physiological anxiety. My next Gem/dox is this coming week (second one).

I Limited fluids for 10-12 hours before treatments. No coffee those mornings was the hardest part! I didn't want my body to "dilute" the BCG & Gem treatments. I believe it helped me with the 2 hour retention too. Never used any anti-anxiety pharmaceuticals, but a 5mg thc gummy helped take the edge off the whole treatment procedure.