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Hi, am just wondering how many times people see Dr Brizman when they travel to LA once or several times?. Am thinking of doing the trip from Brisbane to LA. Would love to hear how your going Greta? as I see you did the same trip and would love to know how things are and if you felt it was worth the money ect. Kindest regards adele
Adele
Hey! Welcome! In May 2008 - I traveled not near so far away as Brisbane but I too had reservations about flying to get treatment long distance across the US from the east coast to the west- 6 hour flight to have my one appointment with her. BUT! - It was AWESOME, uplifting, exciting and validating to be able to tell my story and get some answers and hope for my future! Much to my surprise I received no acupuncture as it actually for many of us doesn't have to be an integral part treatment at all to help one become well. Some of the patients who do live in LA - get acupuncture sessions- but I have found that herbs and diet is a big part of Chinese medicine and is really the biggest most important part of this treatment. The appointment is quite long with a detailed intake- but it seemed to fly by. If you come get your list of questions ready! ICAMA this site is good for answering a lot of questions as well as Lynn and Raquel at the BOMAMED office. If you request it ahead of time and you plan on staying in LA for awhile I think you could schedule more than one appointment and get acupuncture treatments. That is good question for the bomamed office ladies! I could not afford that and could only miss so much work so I only had one appt and that was totally sufficient. I don't make a big income at all-( I'm a file Clerk! but I am able to afford this treatment -I have a session with her by phone once a month and am in contact with her off an on by email on my progress and for any herbal formula adjustments. She is very accessible and those emails are FREE. The level of care/education I receive is staggering especially in comparison to what I went through from western medicine. I wasted toooo much money trying to treat thismyself or with pharmacueticals. Actually she is more affordable than the naturapth I was seeing -who made me worse I might add! Shipping on herbs/probiotics can be a killer however so it helps to order things in bulk. although don't do tha tuntil you know what you would be taking! there are little coping stategies for all that stuff you pick it up as you go. I don't regret going for a second. finally getting my health back after working really hard in the last 18 months or so! it is a very challenging expereince but very worth it and for me it was the right choice.It may or may not be the best choice for you-but definately worth exploring! Wishing you health and wellness. sincerely- Mary
Honeybee
Wow, thank you for your reply and reassuring words. It seems I've spend so much money on supplements (shipping Aloe and Cystoprotec any how), elimrion all with little benefit but can't bear the thought of having IC for another 2O or 30 years. I am so pleased to hear you have your health back (how wonderful) I don't think 18 months is to long to wait to get you health back as I've already had IC for 6 long years. Again, thanks so much for you reply wishing you to health and wellness (we know how much that means now) kindest regards adele
I travelled from the UK
I'm not long back from LA and I live in England. I just knew it was the right thing for me to do as I don't want the spend the rest of my life of medication, just coping. Some people say it is too expensive but how can you put a price on your health? Most people wouldn't think twice about taking out a loan to buy a car and this must be more important.Instead of looking at distance just think of it as a days travel and you will be there. Some people take their partners and make it into a holiday, I didn't as I wanted to start treatment ASAP so I went on my own just for 3 days. If you are there for longer she likes to fit in two appointments but its not necessary and I only had one with a follow up telephone appointment two weeks later.Honeybee is right the appointment absolutely flies by but by the end Matia will know everything about you and your IC. I have never had anyone listen to me like that. Once when I said to my Uro in UK that I got shooting pains in my Urethra he just raised his eyebrows in surprise and didn't even note it down, and I was paying privately for that appointment.
I am only two weeks into treatment but I absolutely know seeing Matia is going to help me not just recover from IC but lead a much healthier life in the future.Carole
Carole
hi, totally get what you mean by "just coping" on medication, that certainly how its been for me the past five years. I guess the ones who say its to expensive are not the ones up all night, waking up every morining in pain and discomfort, not being able to make love or exercise and putting up with all the side effects of meds. Good luck with your treatment, please keep us posted, its very brave of you to take the step kindest regards adele
Travel to LA
Hi Adele, when I travelled from Brisbane to LA to see Matia, my husband and I stayed a week. In that time I saw Matia 3 times. The first appt was scheduled and at the end of this appt she gave me some herbs and probiotics to try. I then saw her a second time briefly when I picked up more herbs once I knew that my bladder could tolerate them. Finally I saw her the day before I left to catch up and make sure that I was happy where things were heading. Matia is fantastic, you will be in good hands. You won't regret it.
2nd & 3rd visits
Hi Aries,
I'm going to set up an appt with Matia for the first time and I
noticed that you say she saw you a 2nd time briefly and then the day
before you left. I was wondering if you were charged for those 2 times.
I can't wait to see Matia but I am somewhat limited on money as I am
on a fixed income. I am encouraged that you say she is fantastic and
that I won't regret seeing her.
your first apt would cost
your first apt would cost more because it is longer then your second apt. There will be a charge for both. The plus about staying a little bit is that you get a feel on the herbs before going wich can save you some cash to leave with the proper herbs since shipping is $$$
Follow-up appts.
Thank you Nicole for your input. Did you need 1 or 2 follow-ups before
you left for home?
If you are lucky..
I didn't have the time to stay. At the time that I went to see Matia, which was in Oct 08, I took my young daughter with me. I had a son at home that had never been separated from me overnight. We left and came back the same day! We left earlier in the morning, had back to back appts, and came back in time to tuck my little one in bed. If you have the time and $$ to stay for a few dyas that it great. It's not necessary.
It's not absolutly nessasary
It's not absolutly nessasary and most people do not stay. When I first saw her I had the pleasure of living there. I did go bachk yrs later after i moved to FL I wrote off part of my trip with my taxes. I stayed for a week at a vacation home on the beach it wasn't too pricy. If you go off season you can find whole homes for 100. a night my trip for week with my rental car and flight came out to be 1200. with a depostit of 200 I did get back. I saw Matia 4 times in that week but that was ages ago I don't even think she is open that much anymore. 3 days a week is all I think. I gave all my recepts to my accountant and she recovered my office visits and part of the travel expenses. I ended up getting around 700 back. YOU might speak to your accountant if you have one prior to going I am not sure how she did it all. I Didn't have a regular DR at the time. I just saved the reciepts and sent them to her. I couldn't do this now even with the pay backs with the eccn the way it is though so I don't think most people are staying long. The first visit is intense and covers a LOT of information.