Bulgaria Booking-fearful

[Saskatoongal]

Just received appointment date for December. At this point my MS is relapse-remitting, primarily balance and mobility. I know going to Bulgaria ia the right thing to do, but very scared and somewhat hesitant at this point. I would love to hear from those who have went. I guess I need encouragement. Thanks and enjoy the summer sun.

[L]

Plenty of people here give Bulgaria glowing reports.

Here is Dr Petrov of the Tokuda hospital talking about CCSVI at Dr Sclafani's symposium. He clearly knows CCSVI.

Although I myself would avoid any place that uses stents until more is known about the long term patency of vascular stents.

If I could get there easily I would like to see Dr Sinan in Alexandria (such a long flight would be very difficult for me). He avoids using stents and has used extra pressure with balloons to help him to do so. When I watched him speaking at Dr Sclafani's symposium, he struck me as being very innovative. You can see it here.

I do remember reading a study which didn't give very good odds for a vascular stent not having an in-stent occlusion after two years. The study concerned kidney patients. I can't find it anywhere! If anyone knows where it is, do let me know!

PS, don't be scared! It isn't that big a deal as medical provedures go. And if you are really anxious you can arrange for sedation, I'm sure.

[AnnaP]

Hi Saskatoongal,

I want to re-assure you, you're in good hands. I went to Bulgaria in June, I had the best experience.
The hospital is state-of-the-art, nurses are really nice(they speak English)
Dr. Grozdinski and Dr. Petrov are excellent. Dr. Petrov won't put a stent unless absolutely necessary. I had ballooning, but 2 patients with me had stents put in and it was okay.

Good luck to you
Anna

[Taps]

Hi Saskatoongal,

I want to re-assure you, you're in good hands. I went to Bulgaria in June, I had the best experience.
The hospital is state-of-the-art, nurses are really nice(they speak English)
Dr. Grozdinski and Dr. Petrov are excellent. Dr. Petrov won't put a stent unless absolutely necessary. I had ballooning, but 2 patients with me had stents put in and it was okay.

Good luck to you
Anna

I completely agree and echo everything AnnaP has stated.

I was also a bit worried when I received the email from Dr. Grozdinski as I hadnt really considered Bulgaria for treatment. Check out my other thread at http://www.thisisms.com/ftopict-13099.html to give you an example of how my procedure went just last week.

My MS is RRMS with the same issues you experience btw.

[Saskatoongal]

Thanks guys/gals!! That is the reassurance I need. As I said I believe it is the right step, but there is so much controversy and negativity on the issue that it makes it hard. I will stay optomistic Hope all is well with you.

[Villagemaid]

Saskatoongal........

At first, I was a little wary of Bulgaria when I got my appointment date, and rightfully so - it's a very big thing to consider!!!

I did my research, talked to alot of people (via internet) about their own personal experiences. There is a point where I felt "well, here I go"...and finalized my flights....a very scary moment....lol...

And now, I am 31 days away from leaving BC to Bulgaria...and I couldn't be happier, nor more confident.

The first step IS always the hardest! You will have tons of support from this forum if you have any questions!

Take care!

[Saskatoongal]

Glad you are going to and thanks for agreeing the first step-decision to book is the hardest. I have to tell you as a newcomer to this site, I am overwhelmed by the quick support..it has brought tears to my eyes. Good luck with your trip, I will watching for only "Positive Results" from you.

[Villagemaid]

Thanks Saskatoongal!!

[Nasti]

I was treated in Bulgaria in June, Dr. Petrov inserted a 6 cm stent in my right jug. He tried balooning like 50 times, but pointlessly, the vein wouldn't open up. It was 1.3 mm at the bottom of the neck, and 0.5 mm or less at the top, behind the ear. It was narrow all over, and the doctor made a remark that most probably it has been morphologically deficient since birth, that's why I had MS at 17, which is pretty rare. So, I believe the placement of stent depends on many things.
I feel fine now, normal, I don't get tired from dressing up my kid and changing it diaper.

[Villagemaid]

I'm getting a little anxious and petrified about the money/payment/visa thing.....lol....

I phoned my cc companies and told them I was going so to expect charges in Bulgaria - but forgot to ask them if I have a maximum daily charge I can do.....

Also, if I wanted to do a money transfer, do they accept it, and how does that work? I have money in my bank account but am unsure of how the payment to the hospital works.

Any ideas????

[L]

I'm getting a little anxious and petrified about the money/payment/visa thing.....lol....

I phoned my cc companies and told them I was going so to expect charges in Bulgaria - but forgot to ask them if I have a maximum daily charge I can do.....

Also, if I wanted to do a money transfer, do they accept it, and how does that work? I have money in my bank account but am unsure of how the payment to the hospital works.

Any ideas????

Credit card is not great, the exchange rate is poor always. Best bet is to open an account with oanda.com They offer the most competative rates of exchange.

It is a little involved (you have to scan in some documents and fill in a tax form.) You will save quite a bit on the transfer though and you still have time. Open the account, it will take a few days, transfer the cash (automatic online transfer bank>oanda will work) and then find an internet connection when you are there to do the transfer from oanda>the hospital. Not entirely sure how long that transfer takes though.. (I used this service to buy this old reel to reel machine off a man in Switzerland and I think it took a couple of days.)