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How long does it take for referrals within Mayo?

Visiting Mayo Clinic | Last Active: Nov 5, 2021 | Replies (13)
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@naturegirl5

Hi @mnjayhawk
OK, now I understand why a referral has not been made within Mayo Clinic. Yes, the neurologist at Mayo Clinic would want to see you and do an examination before making referrals.

We travel for 9 hours (one way) by car to Mayo in Rochester. I have an appointment for a scan next week and when I asked if I should plan to stay longer or if more tests will be needed my nurse practitioner replied that this was difficult to predict. It all depends on what the scan reveals. So I have to be somewhat flexible in my situation as we just don't have enough information yet. As Laurie @roch wrote I got this information on the Mayo Clinic portal because I knew I would get rattled on the phone.

If you'd like more information about Pain Rehab, can you call that department at Mayo and ask how referrals work? Also, give them your time frame and ask if you will be able to get in during that time with a referral or if you will have to wait for an opening?

Positive thoughts and energy sent your way that you get the answers you need.

Helen

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Replies to "Hi @mnjayhawk OK, now I understand why a referral has not been made within Mayo Clinic...."
mnjayhawk | @mnjayhawk | Nov 4, 2021

Hi @naturegirl5
My starting point, or original doctor, at Mayo was the genetics doctor, and he was the one making the referrals. He referred me to Neurology. It was just a matter of him switching one referral from pain med to pain rehab.

Great minds think alike 🙂 -- I called Pain Medicine yesterday to ask why they denied my referral and what the difference was between Pain Medicine and Pain Rehabilitation. After talking to them I decided I don't care if I see either department on this trip, as I am seeking a diagnosis for a problem that I have had for 30 years. At this point I don't want more medicine or the pain rehab program, since that seems to be a program that weans you off pain meds, and I am not ready for that.

I've seen more neurologists than I can count since my pain problems started (including one at Mayo 30 years ago), and every single one has given me an EMG, told me me it was negative, and said my problem was not neurological. All have been extremely rude and disinterested. That's why I was reluctant to go to Mayo without some other appointments set up to at least justify the cost and the pain it will put me in to make the trip. (And that's part of what I wrote to the geneticist about, but he didn't answer). But I also called the Neurology department yesterday, and they said if I cancelled my appointment they couldn't guarantee I would get another one. So I decided I may as well go through it one more time and see if the neurologist can refer me to other departments/physicians while I am there. I'm taking one last shot at finding a physician curious enough about my physical problems to seek out answers. I thought the geneticist was that doctor, but it seems he is too busy to follow up with me. Maybe I can find another. Thanks.

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