Your Tips on How to Get Off to the Best Start with a New Specialist

@auntioakley During years with my disorders I have seen my fair share of specialists. Definitely there have been some that I did not want to return back to. There have been some who started out okay but things seem to change and I had to talk to them very frankly. My primary care doctor was bad at keeping me waiting. One time it was over an hour and a half for him, it appears he was in a meeting. So I am very frankly told him either he had time for his patients or he had time for meetings but apparently he didn't have time for both and he needed to make a decision, as he was in charge of new interns at the medical center. I guess that's what it took; after that he was much better. My nephrologist and my hematologist-oncologist are aces in their field and they have teamed together to work with my situation. I can only hope that my new specialists in my new town will be the same.
Ginger

@jammer, Mayo Clinic has experts from every discipline who collaborate and work together in the best interest of the patient. I suggest that you inform the doctor or department where you are currently scheduled, and give them an update of your current new conditions. It could be related to the medications that you are taking, or something else. They might request more information now, or they will want to wait until you arrive. Whether or not you actually 'see' a doctor from a different department, you can be assured that your records and/or new tests will be reviewed by the apprpopriate department.
Please do this now, since you say that your site is getting worse.

Have you visited out Visiting Mayo Clinic Discussion Group?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/traveling-to-mayo-clinic/
Jammer, I send you my best positive thoughts for healing. I will be here and I am happy to assist you in any way that I can.

@jammer, I completely agree with @rosemarya. Contact the department (Pulmonary Medicine https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/pulmonary-medicine/home/orc-20397844) where your appointment is currently scheduled. They will want to know about these additional developments, which may or may not be related to MAC and/or the treatment. If you need to see additional specialists, that will be arranged either during the same visit or a subsequent visit.

I'm tagging @windwalker as she goes to Mayo Jacksonville for MAC and may have more specific helpful hints.

Jammer, you might also be interested in these discussions in the MAC group:
- Vision Problems while on Treatment for MAC? (excluding ethambutol) https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion-manage/vision-problems-while-on-treatment-excluding-ethambutol/
- Eye problems with treatment? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/eye-problems-with-treatment/

@jakedduck1 you really quite knowledgeable about many medical things, sort of like my daughter. She has never been in a medical position yet she seems to have an amazing amount of knowledge. Were you ever in a medical position?

I think it may actually have been presyncope. If I did actually pass out, it was for a fraction of a sec.
It’s called Displaced fracture of greater trochanter of left femur. I really cannot put any weight on it. I have an appointment next week with a specialist so hopefully I will find more out then.

No cast or anything, it’s actually referred to as a hip fracture, a slight misnomer. A walker is imperative for me.
JK

@mrsbv @hopeful33250 thanks to both of you.

I am seeing a specialist next week. The ER doctor actually conferred with him about my situation. I looked him up and he has excellent credentials, so I am looking forward to meeting with him and finding out what he has to say about my fracture. The ER doctor made very little of it but when I googled it (Nondisplaced fracture of greater trochanter of left femur) it sounded more serious than he indicated.
I really hate being dependent, I tend to be a very self-sufficient type of person. I hate pain too, and it is painful.
JK

@gingerw I am seeing a specialist next week so I will know a lot more after that.

Yes, I do have a lot going on. I really did not need this.
JK

@contentandwell I'm so sorry your in so much pain but glad you are seeing someone with good credentials next week I,ll be praying for your recovery from this fall. Be careful

@contentandwell - Oh JK, I am so sorry for what you've had to go through. A trip to the ER is miserable. I love Mayo and I've been to their ER for myself once and my husband a couple of times. They are great - but that does not mean I want to go there. It's scary, time-consuming, and awful no matter how professional and nice they are. I hope you are okay and get better every day. Did they find out why you passed out? I've been to the ER with my husband for that issue and after numerous tests, they said he was probably dehydrated from working in the yard....

@lioness. Thank you, linda. Prayers are always appreciated.

@debbraw. The battery of tests showed nothing wrong with me so they think it was from the extreme pain. That can cause it.

Trips to the ER always are miserable due to the long wait. Eight hours was beyond ridiculous though.
JJ

@contentandwell I hate going to E.R> I usually go to urgent care Its still a wait but not like E.R. The only way you get in faster is by ambulance I found out . Thank goodness so far I haven't used one.