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Can't get an appointment: Any tips on what to do?

Visiting Mayo Clinic | Last Active: Jun 20 8:47pm | Replies (188)

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@searchingforhelp

I have had OCD, GAD, and Persistent Depressive Disorder for about 11 1/2 years at this point. I have tried many different treatments including the very typical treatments and the more specialized treatments. I have done CBT, ERP, Ketamine therapy, rTMS, mindfulness therapy, meditation, lots of different SSRI meds, brain mapping, immune system testing, possible infection angles, and other treatments. Due to my inability to find something that helps me, I was referred to the Mayo clinic. I was told it is where you go when nothing else seems to help or work. I was also told it is where you go when you want a full body approach and multiple specialty areas of treatment. This is important to me because the traditional focus on my mental health treatment hasn't worked. I was hoping to look at my elevated liver enzymes, my immune system, my inflammation problems, my fatigue problems, a possible autoimmune angle, a possible brain scanning to see if they can find a pattern to target or if I need some kind of brain device (like deep brain stimulation), my sleep problems etc. You get the point - I was hoping to address the multitude of problems I have throughout my body in the hopes that I would find some relief, especially from my mental health concerns. The problem is, I can't seem to get into the Mayo clinic to be seen. The general medicine people refuse to accept me and won't tell me why and the specialty doctors tell me I will need multiple specialties so I have to go through general medicine who again won't see me. I need help, I was hoping that the Mayo clinic would help, but they are making it aggressively difficult for me to be seen. One lady even said she didn't want to give "false hope" that they could do anything different. I wanted to tell her that they have provided the exact opposite of hope to me. I was told this is where you go for full body treatment and when you are looking for answers you can't find. Instead I have been extremely disappointed with the lack of compassion and help I have received as I have been shunted between multiple departments with no one willing to help me or give me any leads. I also have found no options for financial assistance as they do not take my CO medicaid. I am overall very disappointed in my treatment from the people I have talked to and the one time I pushed even a little to try and get answers I was immediately shut down and the woman was very rude. I would appreciate any advice.

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Replies to "I have had OCD, GAD, and Persistent Depressive Disorder for about 11 1/2 years at this..."

Hi Searchingforhelp, welcome. I'm sorry to hear that your hope was taken away. You're right that Mayo Clinic is reknown as a place where people find answers, hope and healing. The next part of my response is not going to provide much comfort, I'm afraid.

It sounds like you’ve taken the appropriate steps to seek care at Mayo Clinic. Our physician experts have likely reviewed your case with colleagues. Their review led them to determine that Mayo Clinic cannot offer any further treatment for you at this time or care that is different from what you’re already receiving. The appointment denial is more likely an issue of capacity. Many of our departments, especially General Internal Medicine, receive more appointment requests than we have capacity to accept.

You'll notice that I moved your message to this existing discussion where fellow Connect members share tips on how to get an appointment at Mayo Clinic. You may wish to read through the past posts.