I have been suffering from severe abdominal pain for more than a year. I have not yet received a comprehensive diagnosis. A visit to the GP did not clarify my symptoms. I waited over 6 months for a gastroscopy. I was unable to book an appointment with most gastroenterological practices either over the phone or via the online appointment management system Doctolib. There were simply no appointments with a gastroenterologist, so I hoped that a referral to a gastroenterological clinic in Berlin would clarify things and finally get me treatment. It took 4 weeks before I received an appointment.
When I stood outside the clinic for my appointment, I received a telephone cancellation. With no prospect of a diagnosis and treatment in the near future, I went home again. The reason: lack of staff, not enough beds and too many acute patients. A situation that has been sobering for me since the beginning of my complaints. I had the feeling that I was completely on my own, with no relief for my agonising complaints.
"Competent and experienced doctors with state-of-the-art surgeries and the equipment in the surgeries is unrivalled. All examinations are carried out conveniently and without waiting times in one or two days."
After my lengthy ordeal, which has been going on for over two years now and actually started earlier, and my less than pleasant experiences with visits to the doctor here in Germany, I follow the recommendation of a good friend and go for a complete check-up in Turkey.
After everything I have experienced here in Germany, this opportunity is a lifeline for me and a grateful prospect in which I have nothing to lose, but am enriched by a potentially enriching and enlightening experience relating to the diagnosis.
Five days are planned in Antalya with a check-up with a gastroenterologist who is in charge of everything. She will start with a detailed discussion about my medical history and all relevant examinations, as well as the final consultation. In the meantime, examinations are carried out by the cardiologist, radiologist, dentist and gynaecologist. The examinations also include a thorough check-up at the ophthalmologist using the latest equipment.
The outward flight is from Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) directly to Antalya. There were no waiting times at check-in. I felt like a VIP, and a visit to the visitors' terrace in Terminal 1 gave me a great view of the tarmac, the take-offs and landings and an impressive sunset. After a three-and-a-half-hour flight, a member of staff met me at the airport in Antalya and took me directly to a very pretty and centrally located boutique hotel close to all the clinics and yet also so close to the most beautiful tourist spots such as the promenade with the Düden waterfall in Lara. The journey from the airport to the hotel takes about 20 minutes. The Laren Seaside Hotel & Spa is a modern hotel with an outdoor pool and lounge area and spacious rooms with balcony, air conditioning, large wardrobe, telephone, minibar and everything you need for a pleasant stay. Breakfast is served in a spacious breakfast room on the roof terrace with a lavish buffet and a side view of the sea.
The next morning, a shuttle awaits me with the driver who has already picked me up from the airport and is only available for me during my entire stay. He takes me comfortably from one clinic to the next and the clinics are only a few minutes away from each other, so it's all very relaxed and comfortable. Deniz Benli, who speaks perfect German and helps coordinate the entire process, is also available to accompany me. Deniz is a very pleasant and friendly young man who attentively and empathetically accompanies the check-up examinations and is therefore very familiar with the organisational procedures.
Our first destination is Dr Didem Karavelioğlu's gastroenterology practice, about 10 minutes by shuttle from the hotel. She pulls the strings. We receive a friendly welcome from her team and shortly afterwards the friendly doctor appears to show us around her lovingly furnished, spacious practice. With attention to detail, everything is here, from the reception room to a waiting room for patients, which is furnished like a cosy living room, and several treatment rooms for alternative treatment methods such as colon hydrotherapy and others.
During the subsequent consultation, the doctor thoroughly enquires about my complaints and what has already been done. She analyses everything and takes her time; I spend almost an hour and a half with her. This is followed by an examination of the abdomen. The nurse takes a blood sample and a comprehensive blood count is taken in the laboratory with parameters such as...
The results are available the very next morning. The doctor also carries out further examinations if necessary and if the findings are favourable. Her range of services includes gastrointestinal endoscopies, colonic irrigation, nutritional counselling... but also...
After consulting all other specialists, the final in-depth evaluation is again carried out by Dr Didem Karavelioğlu. The doctor has a very good command of English and I have no problem following her well-explained and well-founded evaluation. Overall, I can go home reassured and with the experience of having received the best care here.
Our shuttle takes me to my next appointment at the private radiology practice of Dr Mehmet Çallıoğlu and his colleagues. We are there in just a few minutes and I am already expected. A member of the practice staff introduces himself to me and tells me that he is available 24 hours a day to answer any questions. The reception by the two doctors is personal and friendly and there are no waiting times. The radiologist uses ultrasound to examine my thyroid gland and carotid artery, the entire abdominal organs and the breast. The doctor explains all the steps to me during the examination and shows me everything. He measures, records and also sounds the blood circulation in the blood vessels, so that I feel that I have been thoroughly examined. In total, he takes over an hour to analyse everything thoroughly. The equipment is first class. The doctors have a very good reputation and travel all over the world attending congresses. An X-ray of the thorax is also part of the examination. In the final consultation, I receive the reassuring message that everything is in order. All the examination results are forwarded to Dr Didem Karavelioğlu and clearly listed in the evaluation folder and handed out in the mother tongue.
My next appointment is at Dr Onur Sahin's private cardiology practice. I am greeted by a very present, radiant man in a lovingly furnished practice. With an open and attentive eye, he devotes a lot of time to my previous illnesses and all my heart-related questions during the initial consultation with a cup of tea. Before Dr Sahin's examination, the friendly nurse carries out an ECG, blood pressure and pulse check. Afterwards, I can take a look at my heart during a cardiac ultrasound and see how the heart valves open and close. It's a joy for me to see this and to be able to take part in the examinations. The aorta is also scanned and the blood flow checked. Dr Sahin is open to any questions and seems experienced and professional. The following exercise stress test is accompanied by the TV request programme. I opt for a very relaxed programme with beautiful natural scenery. The time on the ergometer with the increasing strain is made more enjoyable and I am motivated and constantly accompanied by the nurse and the doctor. Dr Sahin keeps an eye on everything and ends the test when my heart rate is high enough. In an evaluation interview, I was told that everything was fine. It was an extremely positive, friendly atmosphere that welcomed me here. Just right for a cardiology practice!
The fourth stop and therefore my penultimate appointment of the day is at Dentist Dr Ishak Can's private dental clinic. I am overwhelmed when I arrive at this extremely modern clinic and am shown the high-end equipment. A large, imposing entrance hall with a modern reception and bar area awaits me. I am provided with drinks and snacks and a digital x-ray of my entire jaw is taken first. 3D equipment is also available. Dr Ishak Can also carries out a thorough dental examination and shares his wealth of experience with me in short, exciting anecdotes. Fortunately, and with the appropriate precautions, I don't have any significant abnormalities that require a dentist. However, if this were the case, I could receive comprehensive further treatment in this ultra-modern clinic. Dr Ishak Can has gained so much expertise and experience over the many years of his professional career. If necessary, I would have sought his treatment immediately and without hesitation.
The rest of the day was dedicated to the cultural programme and relaxation. I found that the consultations with all the doctors were so relaxed and inspiring that I was completely energised and full of wings despite a sleepless night. Never before have I experienced such examinations where the doctors take so much time. The doctors are also incredibly friendly and deal with my complaints so thoroughly. I feel so well looked after and listened to. With time, understanding and a calmness that I have never experienced in Germany. I am very happy and grateful to have had this positive experience of a thorough check-up in Antalya.
The second day begins with a sumptuous breakfast buffet at the hotel and shortly afterwards the shuttle is already waiting outside the hotel to take me to the private gynaecological practice of Dr Mine & Dr Ayhan Yilmaz. A modern, friendly practice awaits me. In the reception area there are pictures of a beaming, dedicated couple of doctors accompanying the women giving birth - happy faces and babies. I am moved and can feel the enthusiasm and passion with which the doctors follow their vocation. The doctor takes a lot of time to listen to my medical history and answer my questions. This is followed by a detailed examination with ultrasound. During the examination, the doctor explains exactly what she sees and I can follow the examination on the screen using the latest equipment. To my reassurance, everything is in perfect order and I am told that I can still have children without any problems. At my request, my hormone status is also determined via a blood count. My visit to this practice was also precise, competent and very friendly. I am very touched by the care.
My next and last appointment is with an ophthalmologist at a clinic, where I am amazed by the equipment and the precise technology used to examine my eyes and have never seen anything like it in Germany. Here I can find out exactly how my eyesight is. There is the possibility of further treatment with the latest laser technology, but for the time being I decide in favour of a pair of glasses. I had realised that my eyesight was already so impaired, but I was afraid of the long waiting times for an appointment with an ophthalmologist in Germany. The ophthalmologist is friendly and there for me despite his visibly high volume of patients in the clinic. I am almost embarrassed.
I came back very refreshed and happy. On the one hand, it was the care for me and my body. On the other hand, my soul was touched by so much warmth, attention and being listened to with time and peace, I felt taken seriously and wonderfully cared for and an extended summer holiday with impressive regional highlights sweetened the trip even more.
