Air travel to see a Mayo Clinic physician?

Thank you for the response. After many drs for a few years telling me I have an autoimmune desease but my symptoms and numerous tests results suggest several but it seems no one can pinpoint the exact label. Feel like the downward slide is accelerating. Mctd and lupus are top contenders and now positional double vision and vocal cords not working. One is paralyzed and the other not working 100%. Surgery to inject filler in the cords in a week. I know from this site so many struggle for a reason why all these things happen. There is some consultation knowing I am not alone. My neurologist has suggested a trip to Mayo. I am in NJ.

I found that most of the.people there were there for 2nd opinions. I had a very good friend who went. They were able to diagnose her with a very rare neurology disease which was not treatable and ultimately she died from it. As sad it sounds she took advantage of the time she had to travel and get things in order for her care. It is because of her I contacted them. They are not miracle workers but I truly believe if they can't find out what is wrong no one can. I wanted to know so I could make arrangements for what might happen in the future.
Please let me know how you do and if you get an appointment. I care

I’m in FL, and have struggled with pain in my lumbar region over 15 years, from all the surgeries I’ve had for scoliosis, undiagnosed when I was young. I’m now 73, and, frankly, I don’t know if I can undergo one more surgery. It’s only because of my faith in God that I’ve made it this far. Thankfully, I’ve been able to keep my weight down and am in pretty good shape, all things considered.
I’d certainly be open to going to MN to see a spine doctor there. I’ve not yet contacted them to see how long I’d have to wait, but plan to do so Monday. I’m really hopeful they’ll be able to help me, otherwise, I don’t know what else I can do.
As an aside, I had an injection last Wednesday in a nerve just above my pelvis on the left side (cannot remember the name of the nerve). Yesterday, I was in more pain than ever before. I pray with a bit more time, it’ll get better.

What was the name of your hotel in MN?

If you’re in pretty good shape and need the procedure to improve your quality of life why not do it? The new hardware they have is far superior to the old stainless steel and some can be done through a scope. I fell in an earthquake in 1988 in Ca. and eventually had a SS fusion L4-S1 and L5 laminectomy in 1990 and now have PN but no major back issues that would require a re-fusion. But if I did I doubt I’d do it because having to remove old SS hardware and put in new at 71 y.o. is just too painful. My first surgery worked and I never have needed back injections.

I requested an appointment at Mayo in MN online. They promised they’d call within 3 days, and lo and behold, they did (it seems impossible nowadays to actually get someone do do what they say they’re going to do).
At any rate, it seems I won’t even be able to get an appointment until Dec, but I’ll be looking forward to that.
I’m not sure what procedure you’re you’re referring to. Actually, I never even considered that the hardware might be a problem. If doctors could do scope surgery, that would be an answer to a dream, IF the hardware is indeed the source of pain. I pray Mayo will be able to diagnose the source and offer treatment options. At my age (73), I really don’t think I KNOW I just couldn’t take one more major surgery. Doctors might not even want to do it anyway with my age and high blood pressure.
All I know at this point is I’m in pain. Since the last injection, I cannot walk or stand more than a few minutes, much less exercise, and that itself has thrown me into a deep depression.
I reread my last message just to make sure I wasn’t repeating myself, so if I do I apologize. The new pain management doc (who did the injection) abruptly took me totally off the Percocet I’d been on 15 years. Needless to say, I’ve been struggling with withdrawal symptoms and worse pain than ever before. I know Percocet wasn’t the most desirable way to go, but it did allow me to exercise and sure gave me a better quality of life than I have now, for sure, plus all my bloodwork has been normal.
Here in FL, I suppose the opiate problem is pretty bad., so when you ask for it, doctors look at you like you’re a drug addict. I believe this is referred to as “mass punishment” when patients who need it cannot get it because of the behavior of others!

I received a note back from Mayo Neurology Rochester. Unfortunately, they have declined to give me an appointment because they don't believe they can provide significant additional tests or treatment options. Thats okay. I'll continue to pursue local treatment options. Thanks to everyone for their thoughts shared on this thread. You certainly helped me to work through the appointment request process.

Tony

Have you been to the Mayo Clinic?

I have not. I was looking into setting up an appointment at the clinic in Rochester and received lots of good information by posting in this group.

@bryanbay Just a suggestion - in the event your symptoms change, in the future, I would perhaps reapply at Mayo Rochester. When I went right before the pandemic hit, they not only tested for what I had but they tested to verify, at that time, what I didn't have which I found interesting. Since then, my symptoms have changed. When I thought about a second visit, I was told no because my symptoms did not change substantially from the first visit. I also checked with my insurance to make sure they would pay the bills from Mayo. I was willing to travel in Jan or Feb which I think made it easier to get an appointment. Ed

Just an FYI the Mayo Clinic has a department where you can get discounted airline appointments.
If booked through the Mayo Clinic airline charges might be different. I know AA had a contract with them but it has to be booked through the Mayo Clinic.