@kathyann0811 Welcome to Connect. Come to your appointments with an open mind and ready to ask educated questions. First, define what your biggest concern is and if you need a specialist, what specialty is the right place to start? If you come in with undefined problems and seeking help for pain without an underlying cause diagnosed, it will be more difficult for a specialist to help.

Look up information about any diagnoses that you have so you understand them. Write down questions you have to bring to your appointment. While you are at an appointment, if a question comes up, ask it. Do as much as you can to provide accurate information to your specialist without overwhelming them with lots of medical history that isn't relevant to the reason you are here now. That will waste time. Research specialists that you want to see. I chose my spine surgeon at Mayo after consultations with 5 local spine surgeons failed to find the correct diagnosis. It can be trial and error to find the right doctor sometimes. If you have new symptoms, keep an accurate diary of when it started and how fast it is or is not changing. If you need the help of a general family doctor to help you narrow down the directions for your health care, seek and ask questions with your primary care doctor. Generally speaking, it is probably easier to get into Mayo with a specialist for a defined problem that that specialist can address. Many people try to get help for neuropathy and overwhelm the capacity of Mayo to accept that many patients.

This discussion may offer more tips on seeking appointments with specialists.

Your Tips on How to Get Off to the Best Start with a New Specialist
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/your-tips-on-how-to-get-off-to-the-best-start-with-a-new-specialist/