There are several different protocols for BCG, but the most common is once a week for six weeks, then in three months once a week for three weeks, three months off, again once a week for three weeks until two years have passed. Some uros do only give the initial 6, but research has shown that the maintenance regimen is more effective.
The first couple of doses usually go pretty well....but the more you have the more you body starts screaming bloody murder! This is exactly what you want to happen....the immune system, especially in the bladder, is being stirred up to fight off any foreign (ie cancer) cells.
I was on the full dose for quite a while (don't really remember how long) but by the end of the two years I was down to 1/3 of the initial dose. Smaller doses have been shown to be effective, but I really wanted to get the most out of this.
Dr. Donald Lamm is one of the pioneers in BCG therapy. His protocol is a bit different, but you might find this interesting:
www.bcgoncology.com/treatment/bcg.html
Sara Anne