So I got back from Serum earlier today. It was a full-on few days, I arrived Wednesday afternoon and was in the clinic Thursday and Friday, finishing early afternoon each day. The temperature was around 40°C which was really oppressive so I didn’t get to enjoy the heat (not a big deal but just bear in mind if travelling in the summer months).
I went for PRP but they didn’t tell me until I got there that I needed to have an ECG and a list of different blood tests complete before I could get PRP. This annoyed me as I could have easily got these done in Dublin before travelling saving me hassle in Athens but a bigger issue would have been if there was a positive result with the blood tests or an issue with the ECG, I couldn’t have actually got the PRP done. Thankfully all results were fine and I got the PRP treatment yesterday morning. But I would suggest getting the ECG and blood tests done in your home country before travelling to avoid any hassle or a wasted journey.
The blood tests were done at Serum however I had to go the Mitera hospital for the ECG which they pretty much left to me to organise in terms of getting an appointment and travelling there and back. The cardiologist they had initially recommended wasn’t available, so rather than start googling, I then asked the Serum receptionist to organise the ECG. Mitera is a busy public hospital with very few English speaking workers but I was there and back in a couple of hours so in the end it was relatively efficient.
All that aside, I would say my experience at Serum was positive. They told me that due to my age, their protocol was the gold standard solution (to eliminate any pathogens and try and improve quality of eggs with PRP) but of course there are no guarantees. I felt it was an honest discussion, I know the chances are small but in my mind it’s worth it to know I’ve done everything possible and to have given it my best shot.
Their clinic is state of the art which is reassuring as you don’t know what to expect when getting treatment abroad. I met with Dr Mando for my consultation and she did the aqua scan with a nurse and another gynaecologist present. The aquascan (a little uncomfortable but manageable) came back all clear so I didn’t need a hysteroscopy which was a relief as it costs an extra €1300.
The PRP is done at Serum and the nurses/gynaecologist were all very professional and nice. You’re knocked out for it so there was no discomfort during or after and I was prescribed antibiotics for a week to ensure no infection.
Cost wise PRP was €1800 (same price as Ireland), the aquascan €200, microbiata €300, the bloods €110, glucose test (to check if I needed to continue taking metformin) €80 and the ECG,€100. So up until this point it definitely isn’t a cheaper option than Ireland and I spent a few hundred more on prescriptions (one of which was a Serum produced supplement for my husband - he can’t take the antibiotics they initially prescribed so these are the alternative). I emailed my pharmacy in Dublin whilst I was there to check if they had some of the medication, what they didn’t have, I got in Athens. The IVF itself will be €3K which thankfully is cheaper than Dublin but with flights and accommodation, it probably works out the same as UK/Ireland costs.
However I really believe that from what I’ve heard/read from others’ experiences with Serum, their speciality is that they treat the most complex fertility cases (that would be diminished or side stepped in Ireland) and they have a high % of success. I spoke with Penny who is very nice and of course as clinic owner, she will only be positive in talking about her clinic however she mentioned a recent case where the client was 47, had never been pregnant and both her and her husband had a variety of issues to resolve before trying IVF, and after a a few months of intensive prep, her first cycle was a success.
I will go back towards the end of July for the first IVF cycle so I won’t know until then whether PRP has helped egg quality. Here’s hoping! If anyone is thinking of going and needs any advice around where to stay etc, don’t hesitate to get in touch.