Been there. Done that. Everyone responds to BCG a bit differently, but I can give you some general ideas. First, side effects ...if any....generally do not occur much at first, but, as your body gets sensitized to the stuff, reactions get more noticeable. You will probably be a bit uncomfortable for about six hours after the treatment, with urinary urgency and a bit of cramping. The most noticeable reaction is fatigue, maybe a day or two after.
As you continue getting treatments, the effects may become a little stronger...with blood in the urine, burning, discomfort, and more fatigue. IF YOU START RUNNING A REAL FEVER, OR GET A LOT OF FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS, CALL YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. This is uncommon, but can be a serious reaction.
By the time I was through with the six intial treatments, and into the recommended maintenance treatments, my side effects were becoming a bit much...several times my bladder was so irritated with what they call "BCG-cystitis" that we had to postpone a treatment for a week until the bladder healed. At this point, my uro reduced the dose to 1/3 the recommended dose and I made it through the series.
A few points: According to my uro, there is no rationale for the dose that is used. That was just the formulation available when the first studies were done and has kind of been "grandfathered" in. Dr. Donald Lamm, who is considered one of the experts on the use of BCG, states that even a dose of 1/10 the usual can be effective. (You might be interested in reading the material on BCG on Dr. Lamm's website
www.bcgoncology.com/drlamm/
Also, remember that BCG can be very effective in keeping bladder cancer from recurring. The discomfort that we feel is a sign that the body is building up a reaction, which is what we want to happen. AND this treatment is much, much less drastic than the chemo that some people with cancer must endure. It is well worth it to continue as long as possible with these treatments.
And, with luck, you will be one of those with NO issues!!!
Best wishes
Sara Anne