Neurology Appointment in Feb: How long can I expect to be there?

@acann
That is common question and amount time at Mayo will vary. Normally your visit will be less then a week. Once you meet with consultant and tests ordered the results will be reviewed and determine if additional tests are required. Sometimes length of stay will be based on availability of appointments for tests. The appointment coordinators trys to schedule efficiently so you can get everything done in few days. Hotels in Rochester are very accommodating if you finish early or need to stay few extra days. Of course airlines are less flexible.

You can call and ask to talk to Nero dept appointment desk and see if they have any suggestion on length of stay.

Have you set up your Patient Portal, can you see what is already scheduled?

Hi @acann, I added your question to the Visiting Mayo Clinic support group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/traveling-to-mayo-clinic/ In this group you will find discussion related to your questions. Use the group search to find answers to your questions about what to expect, accommodations, how to prepare and more.

I'm also tagging a few Mayo neurology patients like @casidyjogier @jdlee22 @jdombek1019 @nancy82415 who may be able to share more about their experiences.

See these related discussions:
– Tips for your first Mayo Clinic visit and tests/appt schedules https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tips-for-first-dr-visit-and-testsappt-schedules/

- What can I expect at an Evaluation Appointment at Mayo Clinic https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/evaluation-appts

Coming from NH, you'll have the right clothing for an appointment at the end of February. Luckily Mayo Clinic in MN has underground and above ground links between many of the buildings.

Also hotels in Rochester are accommodating should you need to shorten or lengthen your anticipated stay. Many of them offer Mayo patient discounts. Have you booked accomodations yet?

@acann when I was contacted by Mayo telling me when my first two appointments were I was told to plan on approximately 5-7 business days. I was looking for a diagnosis so I would assume that was the reasoning behind the amount of time I was told. The tests and appointments are scheduled as close together as possible as Mayo is well aware of most to their patients travel a long distance. “The needs of the patient comes first” is not just a bunch of words. The entire staff at Mayo puts it in action in every sense of the word! You truly will feel it thru out your stay there. It is unspoken, by their actions speak it loudly.

The first appointment was an EMG and nerve condition test. The second was with my neurologist who went over the test and did a thorough neurological test. Once that was completed he determined what I had and that is when the next appointments were scheduled for a full head and spine MRI. They were split between two days. This resulted in an experience that shows how quickly they can rearrange appointments if needed. I start my first MRI of my head and cervical part of the spine. While doing the test they found an abnormality and called my neurologist to advise and it was determined that the entire spine should be completed right away and not wait for the appointment two days later. The next day I was scheduled for another appointment with the neurologist of which prior to the MRI I did not have an appointment with him that day.

So this was now day 3 and during that appointment he told me he had already requested an appointment to see their top neurosurgeon. This doctor was extremely busy and once he saw they results of the MRI decided he would see me and would squeeze me in on day 5. I needed to go to the hospital to see him between his surgeries. Once he entered the room, he introduced himself and things moved very quickly. Three weeks later I was returning for brain decompression surgery.

The Neurology and Neurosurgery departments have amazing doctors and staff. Very knowledgeable and compassionate individuals. They talk to you with words you understand and patient when you have questions. You definitely feel you are not alone in your medical journey and they have your back.

I continue to be seen there annually. I look forward to it every year as it feels like seeing old friends and they welcome you back with open arms. They always seem to “recharge” my battery.

Wishing you all the best and if you have any questions for me feel free to ask.

I had the worst experience during my visit to mayo in march. I went for neurology, as Ive seen several in my area and keep getting the same answer: This doesn’t look like MS, I dont think it’s neurological. So I went to Mayo, applications had left side stiffness, resting tremor, muscle spasms; drooling, tinnitus, constipation, night sweats. I stayed for over a week and saw movement lab, neurologist, urologist, and ophthalmologist. At the end of my trip I met with the Urologist who told me I have Neurogenic bladder, caused by a neurological condition my Neurologist will give more details on. They were informative and explained the condition throughly. I felt like I finally was on the right track to finding an answer. I met with the ophthalmologist who said, This isn’t MS! Next I met with the neurologist who said the same thing, This isn’t MS. I dont think this is neurological. I felt dismissed, like they didn’t address any of my concerns. Im supposed to return next month to see a Nephrologist(for the neurogenic bladder, high protein/creatine, and low eGRF), psychiatry/psychology, and Neurology, and I don’t think it would make a difference to my health if I were to go. I spent over a week and 5k last month and fly back home with more questions than questions. I feel like the neurologists I see are expecting to find MS and dont, so they send me on my way. I just saw a local neurologist last week who said, I dont know but you should try magnesium and tonic water. I dont want to drink milk of magnesium, I want to find out why my body/autonomic functions are failing on me in my 30s. I guess Im looking for some reasons on why I should go back.

I am so, so sorry you are having all these problems. I respond because I absolutely feel your pain! I continually say my health journey is the most horrific and fascinating experience I could ever imagine, just to say I am by no means a medical expert. Rather, I am simply someone with some experience. To me, your experience sounds like progress to move forward from. If yours was a simple problem it would be solved by now, and you have a team of docs taking it on.

I wish we could sit down and have a conversation. I have a lot to say but am not sure what would be valuable for you. Mayo Clinic functions in a way that is not familiar to some places, and consequently they do not come up with the same results. I have found them to be conservative in their approach to problem solve, then aggressive to address when they are confident. It is so good that each doctor you saw there started with what your doctors provided from home and have all gotten on the same page. Did I read that correctly that your Mayo docs all told you the same thing?

I am glad to hear you say you don’t want to start experimenting with treatment options, and that you want to find out what is happening with you. This makes you a good fit with Mayo’s approach (not everyone is). In my experience, everything Mayo Clinic does helps me. Every appointment is valuable. It may not totally click with me at the time, but works because I am just as bought into the process as my providers. I am bought into the process because my they are helping me with what no one else has been able to and don and in a way that is super compassionate. The more they know about me, the more they can help me.

I cannot tell you how my appointments, and valuable time lost kicking the can down the road have been fruitless elsewhere going in circles. I cannot tell you how difficult it can get particularly when others around you may not agree with your approach. I can tell you how it feels to have a resource like Mayo Clinic respect me and provide hope for what is important to me. They come along side me, a step to the side and two steps ahead of me.

Hope this helps.