Can someone help me

Posted by medic_simmons @medic_simmons, Mar 6, 2018

I was supposed to get referred to the Mayo Clinic for my abdominal pain and inability to eat. Now after 2 weeks of waiting I was told today Mayo wouldn’t even see me because my pain can only be helped by narcotics. Even if I was off of them for 90 days they still wouldn’t see me. Keep in mind the whole 90 days I would be without them I would not be able to eat because that’s what makes my pain so much worse. What good is the Mayo Clinic if they won’t help me when all other tests have been done and have come back negative.

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@medic_simmons, I can't suggest anything in terms of getting treated at the Mayo Clinic, but has anyone done the testing necessary to determine whether you have pancreatitis? Generally, they test for elevated liver enzymes and if you have pancreatitis, they will; be tremendously elevated. On rare occasions the enzyme production will be exhausted and they would have to go in for a look to give a rock solid diagnosis, but it certainly sounds like the path I had to a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis and then chronic P. Hope this is of some help.

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@gman007

@medic_simmons, I can't suggest anything in terms of getting treated at the Mayo Clinic, but has anyone done the testing necessary to determine whether you have pancreatitis? Generally, they test for elevated liver enzymes and if you have pancreatitis, they will; be tremendously elevated. On rare occasions the enzyme production will be exhausted and they would have to go in for a look to give a rock solid diagnosis, but it certainly sounds like the path I had to a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis and then chronic P. Hope this is of some help.

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What are the symptoms of pancreatic please. I have numerous stomach issues unresolved. Would appreciate any help I can get thanks

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@nanny23, Acute Pancreatitis is generally marked by a pain that feels like the worst indigestion yo have ever experienced or even a heart attack. The pain may radiate into your back and feel as if you have a bad kidney infection. Usually accompanied by nausea and maybe vomiting and pain is much worse after eating. Can be caused by a number of things, but the most common is heavy alcohol use over a long period of time, but that is not necessary. If you are online here, t=you may want to google pancreatitis or do a search from mayoclinic.org.

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@gman007

@medic_simmons, I can't suggest anything in terms of getting treated at the Mayo Clinic, but has anyone done the testing necessary to determine whether you have pancreatitis? Generally, they test for elevated liver enzymes and if you have pancreatitis, they will; be tremendously elevated. On rare occasions the enzyme production will be exhausted and they would have to go in for a look to give a rock solid diagnosis, but it certainly sounds like the path I had to a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis and then chronic P. Hope this is of some help.

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All of my labs have been normal,along with a colonoscopy, egd, surgery, upper GI with barium swallow, mri, and 2 cat scans. That’s why I was getting referred to Mayo but they won’t see me

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@gman007

@medic_simmons, I can't suggest anything in terms of getting treated at the Mayo Clinic, but has anyone done the testing necessary to determine whether you have pancreatitis? Generally, they test for elevated liver enzymes and if you have pancreatitis, they will; be tremendously elevated. On rare occasions the enzyme production will be exhausted and they would have to go in for a look to give a rock solid diagnosis, but it certainly sounds like the path I had to a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis and then chronic P. Hope this is of some help.

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@medic_simmons, If you live near a medical school or other large hospital system, they will likely see enough pancreatitis to be a "high volume" center and that is what you want regardless of your problem. If you have been tested for so many things, you probably need to be in a system where they see more unusual conditions and would be more likely to discover your problem.

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Hi @medic_simmons,

I’m sorry to hear that you are experiencing difficulties receiving an appointment at Mayo Clinic. I want to assure you that all patient referrals are addressed seriously, and there are several factors that are considered, with respect to appointments at Mayo Clinic.

Appointments at Mayo Clinic are prioritized on the basis of medical need. Availability depends on the nature and urgency of the problem, as well as Mayo Clinic's ability to help (as determined by a Mayo Clinic doctor). The complexity of the medical condition and, for less complex conditions, the availability of care closer to home are also factors.

Our physician experts have likely reviewed your case with their colleagues. Their review may have led them to determine that Mayo Clinic cannot offer any further treatment, at this time. It is our goal to provide the best care each patient needs, however we do not want to have you incur additional costs for evaluation or travel if we do not feel we can offer care that is different from what you’re already receiving.

@medic_simmons, It sounds like you’ve taken the appropriate steps to seek care at Mayo Clinic; may I ask to which division of medicine (eg. Gastroenterology, or Internal Medicine/Primary Care), were you referred?

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@gman007

@medic_simmons, I can't suggest anything in terms of getting treated at the Mayo Clinic, but has anyone done the testing necessary to determine whether you have pancreatitis? Generally, they test for elevated liver enzymes and if you have pancreatitis, they will; be tremendously elevated. On rare occasions the enzyme production will be exhausted and they would have to go in for a look to give a rock solid diagnosis, but it certainly sounds like the path I had to a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis and then chronic P. Hope this is of some help.

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Hi @nanny23,

Pancreatitis is inflammation in the pancreas, and can occur as acute pancreatitis – meaning it appears suddenly and lasts for days – or as chronic pancreatitis, which is pancreatitis that occurs over many years. You can read more about the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pancreatitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20360227

If you wish to get more insight, and hear about Connect members' experiences, I'd sincerely encourage you to view, and join this discussion in the Diabetes/Endocrine group:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pancreatitis-1/

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@gman007

@medic_simmons, I can't suggest anything in terms of getting treated at the Mayo Clinic, but has anyone done the testing necessary to determine whether you have pancreatitis? Generally, they test for elevated liver enzymes and if you have pancreatitis, they will; be tremendously elevated. On rare occasions the enzyme production will be exhausted and they would have to go in for a look to give a rock solid diagnosis, but it certainly sounds like the path I had to a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis and then chronic P. Hope this is of some help.

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@gman007 I’m in talks with my dr about trying OU Medical Center now. They are the research hospital in Oklahoma

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@kanaazpereira

Hi @medic_simmons,

I’m sorry to hear that you are experiencing difficulties receiving an appointment at Mayo Clinic. I want to assure you that all patient referrals are addressed seriously, and there are several factors that are considered, with respect to appointments at Mayo Clinic.

Appointments at Mayo Clinic are prioritized on the basis of medical need. Availability depends on the nature and urgency of the problem, as well as Mayo Clinic's ability to help (as determined by a Mayo Clinic doctor). The complexity of the medical condition and, for less complex conditions, the availability of care closer to home are also factors.

Our physician experts have likely reviewed your case with their colleagues. Their review may have led them to determine that Mayo Clinic cannot offer any further treatment, at this time. It is our goal to provide the best care each patient needs, however we do not want to have you incur additional costs for evaluation or travel if we do not feel we can offer care that is different from what you’re already receiving.

@medic_simmons, It sounds like you’ve taken the appropriate steps to seek care at Mayo Clinic; may I ask to which division of medicine (eg. Gastroenterology, or Internal Medicine/Primary Care), were you referred?

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Gastroenterology is where I will need help. I think there is some miscommunication between my dr and Mayo. I’m being told since my pain can be controlled with narcotics I don’t need seen at Mayo but the pain comes on the strongest when I eat anything and if I eat “too much” I throw up. That’s no way to live. I’m terrified to eat anything and consume less than 700 calories most days. I can’t work because of the general abdominal pain that I always have. And I know it sounds like my pancreas but it has checked out so far.

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@gman007

@medic_simmons, I can't suggest anything in terms of getting treated at the Mayo Clinic, but has anyone done the testing necessary to determine whether you have pancreatitis? Generally, they test for elevated liver enzymes and if you have pancreatitis, they will; be tremendously elevated. On rare occasions the enzyme production will be exhausted and they would have to go in for a look to give a rock solid diagnosis, but it certainly sounds like the path I had to a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis and then chronic P. Hope this is of some help.

Jump to this post

@medic_simmons, Most of our renowned medical facilities use a "best practice" of involving a team of doctors in diagnosing and treating individuals. I would ask if OU takes that approach to a new patient who has been tested for numerous issues without finding an answer to your problem. I would not decline to go there if they say they do not do that, but I do think it makes for better understanding of what is wrong, how one issue may be affected by another, and making sure that treating one problem is not going to acerbate another. They may simply involve other specialists as they learn/or don't what is causing your symptoms. Good luck with getting in there.

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