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

Posted by Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung, Nov 2, 2018

I'm looking for your best tips.
Starting a relationship with a new specialist can be daunting. You want to get off to a good start and ensure that you establish mutual respect and are able to develop trust. You want to know you're in good hands. What is their expertise and experience? What research are they doing? Will they listen and consider your input?

How do you get off to the best start with a new provider? What suggestions would you tell a friend who is going to see a new doctor?

+++UPDATE+++
Your tips in action: Tips shared in the discussion below made this video. It's great advice: For patients by patients.

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

resawaller | @resawaller | Aug 27, 2019
In reply to @lioness "@resawaller I'm sorry if I mislead you I don't have Chiari. I worked for 35 yrs..." + (show)
@lioness

@resawaller I'm sorry if I mislead you I don't have Chiari. I worked for 35 yrs as a nurse in the O.R. and other places . If you have pressure on the brain to drain it will help I'm praying for you It is scary any surgery is but there is a lot of good that comes out of it ..

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Thank you for the repely, I'm having surgery on Sept 4th and I'm scared buy I don't know what ealse to do!

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2 replies
lioness | @lioness | Aug 27, 2019
In reply to @resawaller "Thank you for the repely, I'm having surgery on Sept 4th and I'm scared buy I..." + (show)
@resawaller

Thank you for the repely, I'm having surgery on Sept 4th and I'm scared buy I don't know what ealse to do!

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@resawaller The decision is the worst since you have made this let the Dr.s do there work and nurses what you think is half the battle so be positive in your thoughts and know it will be o.k. As I said before if you trust your Dr. then its a win , win for you How you feel is positive for you, Please let me know when you can and know I will be praying for you and if you don't mind I,ll put you on the prayer list I have .

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Mentor
Dana, Volunteer Mentor | @danab | Aug 27, 2019
In reply to @resawaller "Yes I'm 54 today! And I'm very scared to have Chiari surgery! Im looking for someone..." + (show)
@resawaller

Yes I'm 54 today! And I'm very scared to have Chiari surgery! Im looking for someone that has had the same surgery so I can ask how it went! Either encourage me or shy me or shy me away from it ! I've been sick for over 1 yr now and the nerve pain is hell so I dnt know what ealse to do! Thank you and I need prayers!

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@resawaller Happy Birthday and Praying for you and answers what is best for you

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JK | @contentandwell | Aug 27, 2019
In reply to @resawaller "Thank you for the repely, I'm having surgery on Sept 4th and I'm scared buy I..." + (show)
@resawaller

Thank you for the repely, I'm having surgery on Sept 4th and I'm scared buy I don't know what ealse to do!

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@resawaller We will all be thinking of you. Please post when you are up to it. As I believe @lioness has said, if you feel good about your doctor it should be smooth sailing. Try to not worry too much.
Hugs, JK

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Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Aug 27, 2019
In reply to @lioness "@auntieoakley This is the last thing I will do. So far my back seems to be..." + (show)
@lioness

@auntieoakley This is the last thing I will do. So far my back seems to be healing on its on as it is getting better . I use the lidocaine patches and they do help. I'm sorry to hear about your husband . When we are weak that is when He is the strongest in our lives. I just keep the faith and believing

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Agreed!! We just continue to be grateful for each day we are both here. Hugs

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tanyabaust | @tanyabaust | Aug 27, 2019
In reply to @lioness "@becsbuddy and all. I just had a call from a Dr. mine is on vacation. I..." + (show)
@lioness

@becsbuddy and all. I just had a call from a Dr. mine is on vacation. I now have a L4 fracture besides my L2 which was fractured . He said they ususlly treated it symptomatically or a injection of cement . I don't know what I'm going to do . When I had my L2 in 05 I refused the cement but with this fracture down so far I don't know . My MRI was at a free standing one.

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@luoness, I have had spine surgery twice 2012 removing a cyst at L5 S1 which gave me temporary relief. The dr started back up with spinal shots again. I was unable to get pain relief and all I was being referred for shots and exercise therapy. By 2015 I was in so much pain I asked an out of state dr for a MRI referral. The result was that my spine was fractured at the same site. I had surgery including 4 rods, screws, and bolts. In addition they created a cage between L5 S1 to grow new cartilage. I am in excellence shape since the hardware healed. I can now do anything I was. However I had to give up rollercoasters.🎢

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cacoon6 | @cacoon6 | Aug 28, 2019

Well everyone I made it to Mayo. I am back in my hotel room holding back the tears...I had a neurology appt at 830am and neurosurgeon appt at 11am. I took the shuttle in early. I had a rough night got in late and only had a bag of pretzels for dinner so my headache is a 10 out of 10. The neurologist was nice. He spent an hour with me, showed me my scans and said he didnt recommend treatment. But gave me 6 meds (which I dont really want to take) I said I came all the way I might as well see neurosurgery (as I am hoping for more aggressive approach) stereo radiation gamma knife. Waited 1 and half hours...neuro surgeon spent less than 10 min. Said what did neuro reccomend? He is surgeon right? I tried to engage, he couldnt be bothered. Wouldnt even order scans when he said he couldnt even verify what kind of tumor was on my pituitary. I left on the verge of tears...after talking to family. I thought I have come a long way. I called the number to ask for a second opinion through the office. They seemed irritated and after 4 hours waiting in the hospital and not eating. They called me and scheduled me for 245pm tomorrow. Sad with my experience..I was hopeful. I am sure they marked my chart "that patient" you would think no one has ever asked for another opinion.

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4 replies
jolinda | @jolinda | Aug 28, 2019

@cacoon6
I'm so sorry. Clearly this isn't the news you wanted. Between traveling, not eating, your horrible headache and feeling like you haven't been given the chance you'd wanted I think a few tears are in order. I'm glad you asked for and have gotten the chance at a second opinion. You are obviously a very strong person. May I recommend after some food, and rest that you dry your tears and focus on the appointment tomorrow. Focus on writing down your main points, be ready to ask "why", "when" "who else can I see". Be ready with your A game, you are a fighter!!!!

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jodeej | @jodeej | Aug 28, 2019
In reply to @cacoon6 "Well everyone I made it to Mayo. I am back in my hotel room holding back..." + (show)
@cacoon6

Well everyone I made it to Mayo. I am back in my hotel room holding back the tears...I had a neurology appt at 830am and neurosurgeon appt at 11am. I took the shuttle in early. I had a rough night got in late and only had a bag of pretzels for dinner so my headache is a 10 out of 10. The neurologist was nice. He spent an hour with me, showed me my scans and said he didnt recommend treatment. But gave me 6 meds (which I dont really want to take) I said I came all the way I might as well see neurosurgery (as I am hoping for more aggressive approach) stereo radiation gamma knife. Waited 1 and half hours...neuro surgeon spent less than 10 min. Said what did neuro reccomend? He is surgeon right? I tried to engage, he couldnt be bothered. Wouldnt even order scans when he said he couldnt even verify what kind of tumor was on my pituitary. I left on the verge of tears...after talking to family. I thought I have come a long way. I called the number to ask for a second opinion through the office. They seemed irritated and after 4 hours waiting in the hospital and not eating. They called me and scheduled me for 245pm tomorrow. Sad with my experience..I was hopeful. I am sure they marked my chart "that patient" you would think no one has ever asked for another opinion.

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@cacoon6 I am so sorry you had such a rough day, but i am so glad you asked for a second opinion. Like @jolinda said, have your questions ready and make your case. You got this!
Blessings,
JoDee

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Mentor
Laurie, Volunteer Mentor | @roch | Aug 28, 2019
In reply to @cacoon6 "Well everyone I made it to Mayo. I am back in my hotel room holding back..." + (show)
@cacoon6

Well everyone I made it to Mayo. I am back in my hotel room holding back the tears...I had a neurology appt at 830am and neurosurgeon appt at 11am. I took the shuttle in early. I had a rough night got in late and only had a bag of pretzels for dinner so my headache is a 10 out of 10. The neurologist was nice. He spent an hour with me, showed me my scans and said he didnt recommend treatment. But gave me 6 meds (which I dont really want to take) I said I came all the way I might as well see neurosurgery (as I am hoping for more aggressive approach) stereo radiation gamma knife. Waited 1 and half hours...neuro surgeon spent less than 10 min. Said what did neuro reccomend? He is surgeon right? I tried to engage, he couldnt be bothered. Wouldnt even order scans when he said he couldnt even verify what kind of tumor was on my pituitary. I left on the verge of tears...after talking to family. I thought I have come a long way. I called the number to ask for a second opinion through the office. They seemed irritated and after 4 hours waiting in the hospital and not eating. They called me and scheduled me for 245pm tomorrow. Sad with my experience..I was hopeful. I am sure they marked my chart "that patient" you would think no one has ever asked for another opinion.

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What a terrible first day. There is a dept called Patient Experience that you can contact if you feel you did not get care you were expecting. See their web page: https://www.mayoclinic.org/about-mayo-clinic/patient-experience

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