Questions about visiting AZ

Posted by mimi92068 @mimi92068, Aug 28, 2018

My medical problems are long so I'll try to keep short my questions. For the first time I am unsure what type of dr to make my 1st appointment with? Been on permanent disability now for almost 20yrs, since I was 29yrs old. I have a huge list of diagnoses. I have a medical background from before I went on disability and that medical knowledge, especially for my varying diagnoses greatly increased since then. I've been very discouraged by the lack of knowledge in many drs I've seen through the years. Got tired of the constant tests and diagnoses that had no cure. I was diagnosed in my late 20's with many diseases most don't get until they're in their 80's. I have always gone to mayo clinic website for trusted info after a diagnosis or frustrating dr appt so I've now decided why not just go to the best and ones I trust to maybe finally get some answers, but where do I start? Is there a way to give the dr my history before going to my visit for them to decide where I should start first? And I mean in my words, not just copies of a bunch of tests. To give an idea of my most recent frustration now that medical records are online I was looking to see if my tests from an er visit were online yet and saw the older visits were there. Looking through I saw my ekg's and it showed a heart attack and blockage, discharge diagnosis that day said sinus infection. I remember that visit. I went to the er with chest pain, heart palpitations, arm pain and numbness, they took me back for ekg upon arrival and said everything was normal and put me back in the waiting room, the dr I saw would not address the symptoms I went in for and was focused on my sinus infection. Medical history tidbit I have sinus polyps and always have a sinus infection. When I saw that ekg and remembered that visit I was livid to say the least. I know that my heart needs to be addressed from a cardiologist. I know I need to see the ent again for the sinus polyps. I know I have immune disease but could never get a straight answer as to what. I haven't been to my rheumatologist in a long time either and know I need to see one again. I do like the ent and rheumatologist I found here in my home state so should I focus on other areas of expertise? How many days should I plan on being there? Would it be a one time deal and need to come back a month later for follow ups? So much for keeping this short haha, sorry, just frustrated with the care I've received in the past and now I just don't know where to begin. I currently have been so frustrated that for the last couple years I just go to the emergency room when things get intolerable and for normal things I use my vet (nope, not a misprint). The drs at one point had me on 35 meds a day, yes 35 different medications. After that killed me, literally, was on life support for a week after they finally revived me, I tapered myself off almost all of them and now not seeing a dr regularly I have to get some of my meds from people who no longer need theirs or had a death from a family member who used them or if it is something my vet can prescribe I go that route or ask at the er if they'll write it with refills when it comes to my inhalers. I don't care if I get another uncurable diagnosis at this point I just want staight and honest answers even if it's an I don't know answer. Thanks for reading

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

Good Morning, @mimi92068, and Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I on the run, and will get back to you later. Before I go, I want to give you the link to making appointment at Mayo. If you call you will be able to talk to someone who can help you to get started.

Appointments at Mayo Clinic - https://www.mayoclinic.org/appointments

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@mimi92068 Here is something I would like to share with you -This statement was shared in the discussion: "Getting your first appointment"
"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." - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/getting-your-first-appointment/ You will find some helpful information that other members have shared there.
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With your complicated medical history, I want to introduce you to Member Spotlight interviews in the newsfeed section of "About Connect: Who, What & Why" There you can read about some of the complex health issues that have been shared by our mentors. I know that anyone of them would be happy to offer you support and answer your questions if you see one that relates to your symptoms. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/
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Another suggestion for you is to take a look at the GROUPS, and know that you are invited to join in anywhere.

I will be here if you want more information.
What else can I help you with?

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