CLL specialist in Costa Rica?

[Kat2e]

We are contemplating a move to Costa Rica from the “great white north”. Because I have CLL, and am being monitored every 3 months I need to find a specialist there. I don’t speak Spanish so would need a doctor that speaks English.

Is there anyone in this group that lives there or has had any experience with the doctors there?

Any advice would be helpful.

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero]

I'm not aware of any CLL specialist in Costa Rica, doesn't mean there are not competent hematologists there. I checked the current CLL doctors list.

I think you need to research the broader picture, of health care access in general and standards of care, costs and drug availability. What safety nets are there, do you have private insurance overage there and so on...

Many years ago, I knew a CLL patient who lived in Costa Rica, and they were treated initially in Panama and Cuba eventually they returned to Canada.

So...I recommend you get the big picture on healthcare...first.

~chris 🇨🇦

[Kat2e in reply to Cllcanada]

Thanks Chris! All the research I have done suggests that Costa Rica has good private hospitals comparable to US standards and costs are reasonable. As for CLL specialists or hematologist I have yet to find someone. We are going for a visit in April and I will research more when I get there and hopefully find someone I am comfortable with.

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero in reply to Kat2e]

What CLL drugs are available... are costs 'out-of-pocket' for example for Imbruvica (ibrutinib)?

[Panz]

Yes, please do you research!!! The costs of these neat drugs can blow you right out of the water....see if clinical trials are an option when treatment is needed. ☘️🙏😍💕

[rubberlegs68]

I was diagnosed with cll in 2011 and had spent several months travelling and living in central america prior to starting treatment in 2013. I was having routine bloodwork and a couple of ct scans while there. Though I know Nicaragua (Vivian Pellas Hospital) and Panama best, I know that San Jose has the Hospital Metropolitano in San Jose. It appears there is an oncologist there that specializes in blood cancers named Andres Wiernik Rodriguez with impressive credentials. Direct number there is 1(506)2521-9631. I am now being treated with ibrutinib and hope to return to Nicaragua when my neutrophils stabilize more. My thought is if I felt a need to return home to northern Washington state due to complications I can be back here in a day. My count was well over 100,000 at that time and climbing fast but I was able to stay healthy down there. Good luck with your decision.

[Kat2e]

Thank you very much! That makes me feel much better. I will contact this doctor when I go down there in a couple of months and see what the costs would be for treatment if I need it.😁