Hi @techchick1025,

I’m sorry to hear your disappointment with Mayo Clinic. You mentioned, "They couldn’t help or even believe me.” and I want to first and foremost tell you that I do understand how you must feel–you are not alone in experiencing the frustration of being "dismissed" by doctors. But, I would be remiss if I didn’t offer an explanation, and more insight regarding debatable diagnoses of conditions like MALS.

It is important to note and understand that most clinicians consider the diagnosis of MALS as controversial. The cause of MALS is still not clear and symptoms persist even after surgical treatment, Due to the lack of clarity, and the fact that it mimics other GI symptoms, MALS is considered to be a diagnosis of exclusion:
– there is no real test to prove the existence of MALS
– every other possibility that might be causing pain must be ruled out before making a clinical diagnosis.
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/847153_1
In MALS, the medial arcuate ligament compresses the celiac artery, reducing blood flow to the stomach/intestines; surgery, where the ligament is cut away from the artery, doesn’t always get rid of the pain and symptoms. So, surgeons reason that if compression of this artery was causing the pain and other symptoms, then eliminating the compression should get rid of it – but that is not always the case.

Furthermore, some people have artery compression without the symptoms. Why the same anomaly is harmless for some and debilitating for others remains a mystery.

MALS has become less challenging to treat, since surgical intervention now includes removing the celiac ganglion, which is the mass of nerves in that area (some call it the “solar plexus”) because pressure on the nerves may be causing the abdominal pain. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/d6b6/4ec69d1cd3ef5f02036362f960d3b0be0181.pdf

@techchick1025, when you experience pain and digestive issues, you'd hope a trip to the doctor would solve your health woes–but I hope you will also agree that medicine doesn’t have all the answers?
While I’m truly glad you’ve found relief with a diagnosis, I ask you to simply keep in mind that each of us (Connect members) has different causes for the struggles we face. I’m also tagging Mentor @kariulrich for her thoughts about MALS, and to share a few details about the treatment she has received.

@techchick1025 I have had the completely opposite experience with Mayo Clinic, they are the leaders in the number of MALS patient they treat. I have had nothing but a positive experience with my team of physicians. Unfortunately because this is a rare disease even experts don't have all the information they need... there truly is no experts with MALS, however there are physicians who have a lot of experience. We need more research without a doubt. I know emotions can get high with this disease, frustration and pain can be overwhelming. I am happy you found the help you needed.