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First Visit to Mayo Clinic - Neurology
Visiting Mayo Clinic | Last Active: Oct 17, 2018 | Replies (17)Comment receiving replies
<p>Traveling to Mayo MN from Colorado: First Neurology Appointment</p><p>I completed my intake survey and found out that I can be seen in Neurology for chronic migraine. I've had migraines for 6 years and can't find a doctor locally (or in Seattle where I used to live) that can find the cause. I'm looking to travel to Rochester in Jan or Feb...but I don't really know what the next steps are.<br />Neurology wanted to schedule an appointment, but shouldn't I schedule more than just 1? I don't want to get there and just have an hour with the doctor and no follow ups scheduled such as MRI and blood work. Also originally I stated that we need to work in conjunction with the Women's Clinic because there is a hormonal component to my migraines. So, how do I get those appointments scheduled? I just feel like I don't know what to do next and don't want to book a flight and hotel for a week when I only have talked to the receptionist and have one appointment scheduled. Is there a Patient Care Specialist or team that makes this all work?<br />I also have lab work from several doctors as well as 2 MRIs that I want sent to Mayo. Not sure how to do that.</p>
Replies to "Traveling to Mayo MN from Colorado: First Neurology AppointmentI completed my intake survey and found out..."
@kristinincolorado You may want to call the neurology department and ask about procedures. If you want to go to Mayo, take the appointment. Sometimes it is hard to get into Mayo and they can be overwhelmed and not accept new patients for particular issues. The neurologist that sees you will arrange other tests or evaluations with other departments (which they try to do while you are there) based on what they find during your exam and they become your link to Mayo for future appointments. For example, I came to Mayo for spine surgery, and my surgeon later arranged an appointment with a pulmonologist at my request when I was returning to Mayo. This summer I asked my spine surgeon for a recommendation to an orthopedic surgeon because I broke my ankle, and he contacted a surgeon there, and they called me for an appointment and I am now rehabbing that ankle. Once you know the neurologist you will be scheduled to see, you can contact them on the patient portal after your patient account is set up. Often an assistant from the doctor's team responds to patient requests. When you send records to Mayo, some other office scans them into the network and puts them in your records, or you can take them with you physically to the first appointment. You can ask what they prefer after you make your arrangements. You might also be able to schedule other normal screenings while you will be there in addition to your neurology appointment although sometimes they are booked months in advance.
@kristinincolorado, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @jesfactsmon and @jenniferhunter. I agree with Jennifer that if you have an appointment already with neurology I would just call them and ask about any procedures or other concerns you have.
For more tips from Connect members, please see these discussions too:
– How to get the most out of a visit? http://mayocl.in/2n5eXSH
– First visit to Mayo: Traveling alone http://mayocl.in/2hgasVG
– Getting your first appointment http://mayocl.in/2iNdgpc
– New to Mayo and first time traveling to MN: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/new-to-mayo-and-first-time-traveling-to-mn/
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@kristinincolorado
Hi Kristin, great questions. First I will add @johnbishop to this post as he has a lot of answers to the questions you ask whereas I am less familiar with the ins/outs of how Mayo works.
Also will add @colleenyoung @lisalucier who are both moderators on this site.
There is a group here in the forum that will likely answer many questions for you. Here is the link:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/traveling-to-mayo-clinic/
If you go here you will find a list of discussions about the Mayo Clinic and how it works. Hopefully one of the moderators, or John, will post here soon to give you some answers.
Best, Hank