@autum7. and all...My goodness, I'm so sorry you've had such a horrid time with these crazy issues. What a blessing you are getting to some of the very best in the world at diagnosing and handling these kinds of things.

My son was a lawyer with a thriving business when he was hit with Dystonia at age 35. Since then, he's had acute pain in his head, neck, shoulder, jaws, and left arm which he now can't use due to the pain. Chronic pain throughout his body. Now, after many years of no diagnosis and poor treatment, lots of meds, and a horrible life struggling to survive, he's seeing Mayo doctors. Neurology. He gets botox shots in all those areas, has a Dilaudid pump, and takes other meds and occasional nerve blocks and nerve ablations that help a tad but not much, and not for long.

He just saw the neurosurgeon who performs deep brain stimulation surgery to help folks with recurrent/uncontrolled seizures, and Parkinson's' patients control tremors, and now they're finding some patients with acute pain from Dystonia can sometimes get some relief. A lot of qualifyers in that sentence. We are currently awaiting notification that the team has accepted him for surgery and thinks it may help him have a future life.

So, you are coming to the place where very kind, caring, knowledgeable, talented folks work together to help patients like you and my son. I'm praying he will get the help he needs. He has no other family than me and I'm 75 with multiple physical issues. He very much deserves and needs this help. Hopefully, prayerfully, to stop or reduce the acute screaming raging pain he experiences and some way to allow him to have some semblance of life.

I'm praying you will meet Tuesday morning with the special, talented, knowledgeable, and wise medical staff who will be guided to help you find the same peace. You have a loving family and children, and parents to help you, but you must have your Mayo help. I'll be praying with you and thinking good thoughts until I get your update.

Well, I'm o the age that I'm rarely cold and love living in Florida with the lack of snow. But, at times, especially if you're not feeling well or have concerns you may get chilly. I don't know where you live, but I do know you don't want to dress warmly. The days will be in the 90s while you're here with a lot of humidity. The buildings do at times get 'chilly' when our summer rains come to visit, so I'd recommend wearing slacks and bringing a light sweater. I remind you you're walking into Mayo where everyone is dedicated to making you feel welcome and making your visit the best possible. You be your honest, open self and tell a nurse or assistant you're chilly. They have warm blankets in many places and can get you warm no matter what.

So, my new friend, no worries about your Tuesday morning visit. You are visiting a lovely campus made to make you feel better from when you first drive into the property. It may be challenging, but please try to see the beauty surrounding you at the clinic. And, notice the smiles and kindness. There's good food, too.

Oh, take advantage of the excellent valet parking at the front door of each building. The cost is $8 to park and they will get you a wheelchair and volunteers are available to drive you wherever you need to go. I tip $2 to the fellow bringing me the car. It is simple, easy, and fast. Mangurian is currently no charge for valet parking due to the building next door...a fantastic new, first of its kind I think????, a huge laser/cobalt??? beam to treat cancers and such. I only got the scuttlebutt from the valet, so need to do some research. But, this shows you this is a place of life-changing research in many fields and medical miracles.....good gracious! I sound like I should be paid to advertise...no, I'm simply a very pleased, happy patient who's thankful to be experiencing the results of the Mayo healing system.

I'll be thinking of you...Be blessed. Elizabeth