First, sorry to see that you have to join us!
Yes, there is a LOT about BCG here in this forum. Please remember that everyone is different. BCG is usually NOT a big deal. I would rather have it than go to the dentist. And also remember that CIS is high grade and has a real potential to spread rather quickly. BCG is nothing compared to the traditional chemotherapy that many other cancer patients experience.
What is BCG like? Using a very small catheter they basically wash your bladder with the BCG solution. You try to hold it as long as you can...hopefully about 2 hours. The BCG is intended to stimulate the immune system in the bladder lining so that it rejects the cancer cells. I had CIS...did the usual 6 weeks of BCG and then the complete maintenance series and have been cancer-free for 6 years. Believe me, it is worth it.
I did not find the instillation process more than just slightly uncomfortable. After the treatments, there are several hours of discomfort...burning, having to pee ALL THE TIME, passing blood clots. Over the next several days I felt fatigue. But it was nothing that interferred with my daily activities. I drove myself to the treatments, about 20 minutes from home, and was able to make it to my bathroom before the "fun" started.
Males may find the catheritization a bit more uncomfortable and the urologist usually uses numbing gel to help this. The side effects are not usually too bad the first few times; they do increase as the treatments continue...THIS IS GOOD...IT INDICATES THAT THE IMMUNE SYSTEM IS BEING STIRRED UP.
Also remember that people who have something to complain about are the ones whose posts appear most often. For everyone with a complaint, there are many more who are doing just fine.
You do not want to fool with CIS!
You mentioned that you are having 3 BCG treatments? The usual protocol is to have 6, each a week apart, and then about three months later a maintenance series where you get 3 weekly treatments every three months until 2 years have passed.
Good Luck to you...and YOU CAN DO THIS!
Sara Anne