Thats great you are planning to go to LA.  When I first went to Bomamed a year and a half ago, its was quite simple...I just filled out a form and was there in 3 weeks.  But she's probably scheduling further out now...you'll have to call to find out about that and the cost of the first apt.  As for the supplements, there's been months where I've spent over $100, but then there's been months where its its been under $50.  So it really varies. And yes, I totally know what you mean about wasting money in the long run...in my efforts to get better, I had tried about everything before seeing Matia, and I would say that this is the only treatment that has NOT been a waste. Even though it has not been easy for me, I know my overall health is improving and she is treating the root of the problem.  So I hope things work out for you to go  :)

What i did was fly to LA the night before and then made my appointment for first thing the next morning so that I could leave right from her office back to the hotel and then airport...it's safer to schedule it that way I think.  I stayed at the Holiday Inn nearby (about a 20 min walk or short cab ride).  I took Supershuttle from the airport to the hotel ($25) and then back again the next day.  The appointment is 1.5 hours so I think I started in the morning, was out of there by 11 and booked a 2pm flight or something.  I am a pilot so I have the advantage of cutting security lines so I wasn't as worried, but I would say don't book any flight before 2pm back home if you can help it.  Depending on what time your appt is of course.  The earlier you book the appt the more likely you can choose your time.  I wouldn't mess around with having an appt the same day you fly in...too risky, unless you book her last appt and take the first flight but then you'll risk having lots of sitting around time--that will be the day you aren't delayed!For me, the herbs cost me a lot in the beginning as well as the probiotics.  The shipping is very expensive but at first I didn't want to bulk order for fear of not using the herbs for long...so I ordered each bottle separately which cost a fortune in shipping.  I've been having phone appts every 2-3 weeks at $114 a pop....so figure around $200/month in appts (worst case) and then probably $50-100/month in pills and shipping, sometimes more though until you figure out what works for you and can find some probiotics locally where you don't pay shipping.  Then factor in the initial $300 visit, plus airline, plus hotel, plus transportation....it's a doozie, but I figure it's good debt because it's for your health and, in the end, your health is all you have!!  It's good debt, like a house or student loan I figure.   

it's true that the treatment is not cheap, but at least, once you start, you are heading in the right direction so all of your money is well spent. I know I wasted a lot of $$ on "trying" to heal myself for years.When I went to LA, I flew from Germany and luckily, had a friend welcome me the day before my appointment. There are many ICers that are in the LA area, if you are concerned about paying extra for the hotel, etc., you could ask if someone would be willing to welcome you over for the night. Who knows? Might even find a friend for life lol.Anyway, I wish you good luck with your treatment! Don't worry too much about cheating on the diet, it is so more difficult to do things on your own. With Matia's guidance, everything will make more sense and you will feel like sticking to the plan.:-)

Herb costs are hard to deturmine and yes shipping is expensive. I try to take advantage of any deals possible. Like Bomaherbs sells the natren 90 caps if you get 3 at a time the 3rd bottle is like 30% off or something like that. I have been at high doses and can say that stocking up your fridge on probiotics is always a good thing I am sure you will end up using them and if you leave them in the fridge even if it takes you a while to use them they shouldn't go bad. IN the early stages you often change your herbs up a lot so ordering a head of time can be tricky.
When I flew last time I had 2 other people with me. I bought some plastic 3 oz bottles to put my water in for the plane. I gave my boyfriend one bottle I had other and my friend had one so that gave me 9 oz for my 4 hr flight. I don't know if your going alone but that is how i handled that. I also put one bottle of water in a checked little box so I didn't have to look for water stright away. I think you can also call the airline to say your disabled so that you can skip over security and they just wheel you past. Even if you can walk it saves you from the hassles of waiting the long line and possibly being in pain to pee. You may even be able to talk to them about the water a head of time. check the posts on traveling for food tips ect.
I am so happy for you to be starting your journey. congrats and welcome.:)

hi melissa, welcome to the healing journey!
1. this is my third attempt, not Matia's fault! the first time i had to stop, b/c i travelled around the world for 10 months, plus my ic only flared during sex
2. i tried a second time last year and quit, b/c i broke up with a very important person, then i got hit by a car (thankfully i was ok!) and had to take stress leave b/c i was being bullied at work. my overall life was tough and i resorted to eating regularly, but i had a bad uti and flare and begged matia to take me back
3. what i realized from matia, is that even if you cheat on your eating, just shake it off and keep going, don't ever quit, the worst is to quit. there are many steps to success and regression is part of the process. don't be all or nothing like i did. be honest with matia and then continue, so what if it takes a little bit longer, it's better than stopping all together b/c you felt guilty about cheating!!!!
4. don't fear, just like anything, you will get used to eating this way, it takes time for your body and spirit to adjust to change, and if you go out with friends, you pick the restaurant, your real friends will understand. if they don't find true friends who will! this disease will test everything! you will be a better person for it. if you have to go to someone's house to eat, either bring your own food or eat before hand. i learned that if you want compassion from people, you've got to demand it. this journey is about you and don't ever be ashamed of that. i always say that the cancer, diabetes and vegetarians get sympathy from people when it comes to food, but this is our chance to educate people about ic. it can become very very tiring trying to explain to people why you are so tired, that you have to pee a lot and that you are eating a restricted diet. i just tell people i am very, very sick, but i will be healed soon! i feel empowered, b/c i realized that this is about me and that i could care less now what other people think!
5. enjoy your trip to LA, i booked a cheap hotel near the airport through priceline.com and flew on airmiles, then i took the bus to matia's office and then enjoyed the rest of my day shopping and i met up with a friend. i took the bus everywhere, so much cheaper!!!!
6. call the office and see if they still offer 10 appts for $1000, that way you save $10 a visit
7. buy natren by the case (save 10% at Whole foods and you can mix the probiotics), i'm sure if you contact natren you can find out which health food stores in your area carry it, and make a deal with a owner if you buy by the case, b/c whole foods can still be expensive.
8. when matia has found a herb that works for you, at the beginning just buy it one by one and pay the shipping costs, but after that buy in bulk and save on shipping. don't ever throw out herbs, b/c she might put them back in later.
9. mountain valley springs is the water that matia's likes, it comes in glass and i was able to find a distributor in toronto, canada and i have it delivered to my house. i spend about $64 canadian dollars a month (gives me 2 litres a day to drink)
10. i figure right now, i spend about $454 canadian a month on matia's appt, herbs, probiotics and water. but at the end of the day, i would have spent that money on entertainment, coffee, drinks and dinners out. so for my health, the cost is worth it!!!! plus as you get better, i'm sure the cost will go down.
11. the chinese have a character that puts crisis and opportunity together. look for the opportunity in this crisis. pain and suffering is part of becoming better in mind, body and spirit. all humans go through it, you either pay now or later, either way it is part of life. and remember you are not alone, and people are suffering with much worse conditions in the world
12. my favourite phrase is "and this too shall pass."
13. write a daily, food, symptom and emotion journal, this will help you with appts and you can see progress, by comparing your symptoms from month to month. the process can be very slow and tedious.
14. make sure you are very honest with Matia! she is not a quiter and she thrives on getting her patients well! she is always available on e-mail
15. if you haven't already, join the monthly phone meetings, they are empowering and educational.
you are in good hand, God Bless You Melissa!!!!
Yumi