Hello, Chris! Sorry that you had to join us....
As you might expect, the answer to your question is "it depends." First, what was your diagnosis exactly? (The pathology report.) Was your cancer low grade or high grade? BCG is not as effective in low grade bladder cancer and is usually used in this case when the tumors return multiple times. In high grade bladder cancer cases, BCG can be live-saving. AND, if it can be tolerated, and for most of us it can be, it is much less debilitating than traditional chemotherapy.
And here comes the complicated part...the "it depends" issue again. BCG is a modified tuberculosis bacterium that was initially developed almost a hundred years ago as a potential anti-tuberculosis vaccination for children. In cases of bladder cancer it is instilled directly into the bladder in the hopes that it will still up the body's immune system to fight the cancer cells. Since you already have an autoimmune disease, which indicates an issue with your body's immune response, this poses some questions. If I were in your position I would schedule a consultation with your rheumatologist about the pros and cons in your particular case.
I just posted a reply to JDRVNJ on this Forum (should be a post just under yours) which described a lot of the side effects. They are not dire!
Best of luck to you
Sara Anne