Effects of cortisone on BCG

[suz z]

I just re-read Dr. Peters 2nd transcript about BCG. He writes about someone that was treated with cortisone for poison ivy following successful BCG treatment and the IC symptoms that had abated returned.

I did six weeks of BCG two years ago and improved drastically. This winter I was downhill skiing three times a week and swimming and planning on starting biking soon.

However, three monthts I got a terrible rash and it wouldn't go away so I went to my primary care doc and she gave me cortisone. It got worse. She sent me to a dermatologist and he gave me stronger cortisone. It got even worse. He gave me even stronger cortisone. I was scratching myself bloody by then, and was starting to feel like my IC was getting worse again. Of course, it had been two years, so I thought that was why. BTW the rash has a name, but no cure. It's called Granger's disease. Lucky me!

Now I read that the cortisone could have caused the worsening of symptoms.

My uro is having me start a second round of BCG next Monday. Ugh. But it worked before, so I'm willing to do it again.

I hope that someone benefits from my unfortunate experience.

All the best to all of you.

Suz

[MelanieJ]

Wow! Thanks for the info, Sue. I'm so sorry to hear about this new problem you have. I can't even imagine itching constantly! I hope you find relief from it soon. Good luck with your 2nd round of BCG. We'll all be interested to hear how it goes.

Melanie J.

[Debra]

Hi Suz,

Funny that you mention a possible connection between cortisone and bladder problems -- whenever I use hydrocortisone cream for itching problems down there, I always end up with bladder pain. I had wondered if there was a connection. interesting!

Best of luck with round two of BCG!!!

Debra