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Getting your first appointment

Posted by amkaloha @amkaloha, Dec 29, 2016

I have so many questions about this. Do I have to have a PCP referral to make an appointment? How about health records? I have many problems, the most prevalent right now is swollen legs and feet and have been seeing a few doctors in my area but no one seems to be able to help. I have had sonogram tests (blood movement is fine with no clots), an echocardiogram (heart is working well), but my legs stay swollen and stiff. I also have terrible pain in my knees due to osteoarthritis and neuropathy in both legs (I have to use a walker). Must I diagnose myself? - how do i know which department at Mayo to start with? This is in addition to if they will take my Medicare and BCBS. Mayo has such a great reputation that I just feel they could help me get my life back. Thanks to anyone with any answers or ideas.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Visiting Mayo Clinic Support Group.

v1crew65 | @v1crew | Mar 23, 2017
In reply to @me67 "I recently got admitted to Mayo Clinic. A surgeon outside of Mayo had been an intern..." + (show)
@me67

I recently got admitted to Mayo Clinic. A surgeon outside of Mayo had been an intern there and got me in 'fast'. You should have all of your records. They are so organized. They had my CT scan and MRI's already in their system by I saw the doctor the same day. If you have an appointment at 2:10, you will be called at 2:10, so you better get their early to check in. Also, they do take Medicare to some extent. They charge you, the patient, and extra 15% because they won't just settle for what Medicare will pay. We also have a supplemental plan. Out of Mayo, most of my doctor bills have been paid, but this is not the case at Mayo. But, with their technology and skilled doctors, I feel I am going to the best and will be taken care of effectively. They work as a team. I am loving this place. The radiation that I will be taking for 5 weeks will be $48,000. They let you know if you ask. Our part will be about $6,100. I will still have the vascular doctor, the surgeon, etc. to pay, but it is my life and I want to live.
My question to you is have you gone to a vascular surgeon? Have you had any CT scans or MRI's? These tests are what finally told me what I had wrong with me. I had a swollen leg but no other problems. i don't even take blood pressure medicine. I am an avid hiker and exercise personal 67 years old. If my leg had not swollen, I would not know anything is wrong with me. You can ask your primary doctor for these things and they will be a lot cheaper than going to Mayo. Then you can go to Mayo. The fastest way to get things done is to have your doctor get you scheduled. They can work miracles. I hope I answered your questioin and more.

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<br><br><br><br><br><br><br>gotta love the way they work, I could have written that,lol<br><br><br><br><br>

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sep28 | @sep28 | Oct 5, 2020

What department do I make an appointment with if I have multiple symptoms but not a clear diagnosis. I suspect it is autoimmune but none of the labs are clearly indicating enough info to diagnosis and treat

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1 reply
Amanda Burnett | @amandaa | Oct 5, 2020
In reply to @sep28 "What department do I make an appointment with if I have multiple symptoms but not a..." + (show)
@sep28

What department do I make an appointment with if I have multiple symptoms but not a clear diagnosis. I suspect it is autoimmune but none of the labs are clearly indicating enough info to diagnosis and treat

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Hi @sep28, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.
As you can see, I have moved your discussion to a conversation that was started on your first appointment with Mayo Clinic. I would suggest clicking on page 1 and reading some of the responses. This is to help you connect with other members that are Mayo Clinic patients and might be able to give you some advice.

You might also be interested in the following sites to help with your question.
-How to get the most out of a visit? http://mayocl.in/2n5eXSH
-First visit to Mayo: Traveling alone http://mayocl.in/2hgasVG

If you would like to discuss your symptoms with the autoimmune group, you can find them here:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/autoimmune-diseases/

@sep28, how did you hear about Mayo Clinic? What location were you planning on visiting?

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sep28 | @sep28 | Oct 6, 2020

Here is the issue- I don't know if it is autoimmune. Have had a bunch of specialists all prescribe individual treatments (drugs) for symptons but no clear diagnosis. So who at MC do I speak to for an appointment? I fear going the autoimmune route with labs being negative and an internist who cannot find a diagnosis so keeps refering me to new specialists based on the current symptoms. I feel lousy and really need some 'outside the box' thinking. I was denied by the Undiagnosed Network at NIH because they did not think there was a genetic component to these symptoms. What do you suggest?

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bjgwellness | @bjgwellness | Apr 19, 2021

Hello. This is my first time with Mayo Clinic Connect. My 31 year old son has had multiple lower back microdicectomies (sp?) as well as hip surgery over the past 3 years. All not at Mayo. The last surgery was in February, 2020. Since then, he has developed foot drop and sciatic nerve pain in his left leg. A recent MRI indicates the same lower back disc is bulging and causing the sciatic nerve pain and numbness. He is seriously considering getting appointments at Mayo to solve his lower back/sciatica/foot drop issues. He does not want to have fusion surgery. It is his understanding lower back fusion would limit his back mobility and longer term need for further fusion surgery. Instead, thinks he wants disc replacement surgery and any other surgery to solve his foot drop issues. Has anyone on this Mayo Connect had disc replacement and/or foot drop surgery? And, if so, how did it go?

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3 replies
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 19, 2021
In reply to @bjgwellness "Hello. This is my first time with Mayo Clinic Connect. My 31 year old son has..." + (show)
@bjgwellness

Hello. This is my first time with Mayo Clinic Connect. My 31 year old son has had multiple lower back microdicectomies (sp?) as well as hip surgery over the past 3 years. All not at Mayo. The last surgery was in February, 2020. Since then, he has developed foot drop and sciatic nerve pain in his left leg. A recent MRI indicates the same lower back disc is bulging and causing the sciatic nerve pain and numbness. He is seriously considering getting appointments at Mayo to solve his lower back/sciatica/foot drop issues. He does not want to have fusion surgery. It is his understanding lower back fusion would limit his back mobility and longer term need for further fusion surgery. Instead, thinks he wants disc replacement surgery and any other surgery to solve his foot drop issues. Has anyone on this Mayo Connect had disc replacement and/or foot drop surgery? And, if so, how did it go?

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Hi @bjgwellness, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm tagging @jenniferhunter on this message. She did a ton of research before choosing Mayo Clinic for her spinal surgery and can share with you what criteria she used and her experience at Mayo Clinic.

Which Mayo Clinic location would your son prefer?

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1 reply
bjgwellness | @bjgwellness | Apr 21, 2021
In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @bjgwellness, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm tagging @jenniferhunter on this message. She did a..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Hi @bjgwellness, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm tagging @jenniferhunter on this message. She did a ton of research before choosing Mayo Clinic for her spinal surgery and can share with you what criteria she used and her experience at Mayo Clinic.

Which Mayo Clinic location would your son prefer?

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Thank you so much for responding. He prefers the Mayo Clinic in AZ.

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1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 26, 2021
In reply to @bjgwellness "Thank you so much for responding. He prefers the Mayo Clinic in AZ." + (show)
@bjgwellness

Thank you so much for responding. He prefers the Mayo Clinic in AZ.

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@bjgwellness, I suggest that your son contact Mayo Clinic in AZ. Here is the contact information http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

Let me know if you have any questions.

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stevesweeney | @stevesweeney | Aug 6, 2021
In reply to @jamienolson "Hello @amkaloha, Great questions! Thank you for posting them here on Mayo Clinic Connect. You can..." + (show)
@jamienolson

Hello @amkaloha, Great questions! Thank you for posting them here on Mayo Clinic Connect.

You can start with a referral from your Primary Care Provider or you can refer yourself, called a self-referral.

Your first interaction with Mayo Clinic will start with our Central appointment desk. See the number to call or request an appointment online here http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63.
Here the Appointment coordinators will introduce you to how the Mayo system works. Our Appointment schedulers use decision trees to determine where you will start with your Mayo experience. For example, if General Internal Medicine happens to be where you need to start, they will then request your medical records and schedule the appointment for you.

It has been in my experience that some referring facilities don't follow up with sending patient medical records from other facilities. It would be in your best interest to gather your records and have them with you when you attend your appointment so possible testing requested by your Mayo provider doesn't have to be repeated.

I will also connect you with members @v1crew @sauvee @coastalgirl @pbo2016 @rosemarya and @kdubois who have also had experience visiting Mayo Clinic. They may have more insight on navigating the facility as a patient and getting the most out of your Mayo Clinic experience.

I hope this answers some of your questions. Best of luck to you!

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I have ailmentts that thus far have not been fifxed buy local doctors

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1 reply
stevesweeney | @stevesweeney | Aug 6, 2021
In reply to @stevesweeney "I have ailmentts that thus far have not been fifxed buy local doctors" + (show)
@stevesweeney

I have ailmentts that thus far have not been fifxed buy local doctors

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Tended I am tired alll the time and cannot keep my balance.My mind is sharp.

I have much to do with my six grandchildren but time is running low on on me. Arespectfully ted Steve Sweeney

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