BCG side effects??

My mother did the series of bcg treatments november of last year. Within a few weeks of the treatments she had a viral-like episode, severe N/V, no fever and when she woke up in the morning she had a very red rash on her face and an acne like breakout. The rash lasted a couple of weeks. A month or so later she had the same thing.

Two weeks ago she had another treatment and the following week had another episode. This time though, she had extreme tightness across her chest that was relieved with vomiting and the same rash on her face the next morning.  It just seems very coincidental to not be related to the treatments, yet her MD minimizes it and tells her she needs to see a dermatolgist.

Is it possible that this is a reaction to the bcg and if it is, should we be worried about future treatments???

[Ash Tewari, MD, M.Ch.]

There is a condition know as "BCGosis" where the BCG immodulator is absorbed from the bladder systemiically.  It can produce a viral-like pneumonia with fevers. I am unaware that a rash is asssociated with BCG, so a dermatologist needs to be seen.  I would like for you to bring up the possibility of BCGosis with your urologist and he/she may recommend alternative treatment if the after affects of BCG treatments are unbearable.

[lorirk]

A related discussion, BCG side effects was started.