[djkyosti]

We just made our first trip which was successful and we accepted a referral for a very sweet 2 year old boy. We are in the process of gathering all the necessary documents for the second trip. The only thing I am slightly unsure of is this 8 physician exam in Russia. Specifically, I am curious exactly what blood tests they will run, what they are looking for. Can somebody who has been through this let me know what blood tests and/or urine tests were run?

Thank you.

[votemom]

congrats on accepting your referral - how exciting!!

if you will specify which region you traveled to, you will no doubt get better info.

it seems the various regions handle the 8-medical thing differently, and require different things.

congrats again!

[djkyosti]

We are in Tambov.

[Nursie222]

I am not sure about this specific region but my region also requires this and I heard it was a big joke. they do draw blood from you and the blood goes into an unmarked vial and then in a container with other unmarked vials. This family said the vial didn't even have their name or anything on it. Haven't heard of any urine tests. I was told this whole process takes about 45 mintues and thats by all 8 drs.

[Purdue]

I'll PM you. It was not a joke in our case and took almost 7 hours to complete.

[djkyosti]

What region? Do you do this in Moscow or in the region (if not Moscow)?

[Nursie222]

Mine will be at a clinic in Moscow. 7 hours to complete, WOW. that must have been exhausting.

[Pinkie]

I did my 8 doctor document back in 2005 so not sure if this is really relevant. For my region, Kamchatka, I saw my 8 doctors in my home country. Each doctor had to conduct the relevant test and sign and stamp the form. Then the head of the clinic signed the form to confirm I had completed each test and my completed form was sent off to Russia with the rest of my paperwork. The only blood work I remember having done was to check for HIV. I'm sure I didn't do any urine tests. Your agency should be able to tell you exactly when and where you will have the evaluation done and what they are looking for.

[Purdue]

We are not in the Moscow region for our adoption, but that's where we had to do the exam, at a clinic there. We were told that after the Harrison incident last year, the clinic the Harrison's used was no longer being used so it was a "new" one and they were being very particular, for obvious reasons.

My only advice is to prepare for the worst (7 hours) and bring snacks and water. You may also need to redo your chest x-rays (we didn't, ours were accepted, but 2 other families had to redo theirs at the clinic). Also be prepared to give blood. Just make sure you see them open the package for the new needle in front of you. I"m not saying they're using used needles, I would do the same here in the states....just a precautionary measure.

[coachmom]

we did the 8 doc medical in Moscow at the American Embassy. It took around 4 hours. got blood drawn and urine test(we didnt do a drug test in the US so thats why). It was no big deal. WE saved some money by briging our blood work with us(current-no more than 3 months old) and we brought TB chest x-rays on CD.
I stressed over it before the trip, but then when it was over, it was not as big a deal as I thought. There were translators so no worries there. Just a tip though..dont take Tylenol Pm or sleep medicine 4 hours before you do the urine test. it can show up as a uncontrolled substance. or else drink plenty of water.
Coachmom

[Purdue]

I would clarify w/your agency on the chest x-rays. I first got a CD for ours, but then was told (by our agency) that we needed actual film, so I had to go back and get film from the hospital. So just clarify before going...this newer clinic I mentioned earlier couldn't handle the CD with the computers/tech they had.