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Is it difficult to get into Internal Medicine?
I am currently a patient in the cardiology department. I was able to get in with zero issue for a heart condition that was found immediately postpartum.
But now, 2 years later, I have a plethora of other issues that have come up. They were an issue before my pregnancy, but have significantly worsened. I was sent to a local rheumatologist who was less than kind, so I figured I’d reach out to the same department at Mayo. I was told it’d be best to apply for Internal Medicine so they could look at my full picture, not just a bunch of separate issues.
I’m just curious if it’s been difficult for people to get in? Especially if it’s technically a self referral? My primary did send a referral for rheumatology now too & I still see cardiology… but I self referred for internal medicine.
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I had no luck getting an appointment with Mayo, different specialist. I hope you have a different result and get help. I did receive an inquiry from them for additional medical information and I provided some of it but I’ve been a victim of ID theft like so many others and was very hesitant to send anything. But I was not accepted based on what I did send. I wish you the best and applaud the fact you stood up for yourself with the toxic doctor. God bless and have a great day
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1 Reaction@justsomechick22
Welcome to Mayo Connect. For U.S. residents, if you would like to refer yourself, start by contacting the Mayo location where you would like to be seen. The Request Appointment website ( http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63 ) has an option for returning patients who need to be seen for a different condition than the one originally seen for.
It is similar to requesting a first appointment by talking to an appointment coordinator.
What location were you seen at for cardiology?
@roch
If you are a returning patient I would just ask my physician to refer me to another department. No sense in re-applying. Wouldn't hurt to have your current doc make a "personal" call. I consider my main doc at mayo to be my primary care doctor there.
@roch Rochester.
@bajjerfan they apparently can’t refer to other departments?
@justsomechick22
I don't believe that as my doctor referred me and ended up getting an apointment for me. If it's really warranted they can make a personal call to try to get you in. Ask me how I know. My doc at Mayo looks out for me. She's a wonderful lady and cares about her patients.
@bajjerfan that’s wonderful. But I don’t know what else to tell you lmao some departments can’t transfer out apparently. Feel free to call Cardiology and ask yourself.
I will ask my research contact there. Maybe the doctor is simply indifferent to the patient's plight.
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1 ReactionHi @justsomechick22, I am glad to see you on Connect. How great that your heart issues were addressed and resolved by Mayo Cardiology a couple years ago.
I am a Mayo MN patient and have gone through both doctor and self-referral. Both are good options. One particular experience, I landed at Mayo Clinic (already a patient) when I needed help with what I saw as a systemic circulation crisis, and I was not getting better locally. Through their process of gathering information they definitely did want to know what I thought was happening but then was told there was not one clear specialty that stood out. My visit started off seeing Internal Medicine and that doctor acted as my primary during my visit, coordinating general testing and specialist consults, then seeing me at the end of my visit so we could discuss what was learned. My existing provider was one of the specialist consults during that visit. This integrative approach is in their wheelhouse!
If I understand correctly your situation is different now, maybe not something straightforward. It may require an integrative approach between departments. You are in the process of waiting to hear back from your local primary’s referral to Mayo Rheumatology as well as your self-referral request to their Internal Medicine Department. You are hoping to address a variety of issues that your local doctors have not been able to figure out. It sounds like you are headed to the right place, and your current cardiologist at Mayo may or may not end up involved.
I think if it were me I would first call your Mayo Cardiology Team so they know everything that is happening and find out what they recommend, if they can help. Be prepared to connect with Internal Medicine and check on the status of both referrals. Please do come back and provide updates as you continue through your referral process.
If you are comfortable sharing, would you describe a bit about what you are dealing with? What are your symptoms, and how are they affecting life? Did you learn anything from your local rheumatology visit?
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1 Reaction@jlharsh it’s a lot of symptoms that I experienced prior to having my son, but they’ve just gotten much worse. Joint pain, fatigue, hair loss, facial rash, mouth sores, cold/numb fingers & toes, dizziness… the list goes on. Plus the symptoms that I see my cardiologist for (racing heart, palpitations, chest paints, etc) , since it’s still an ongoing issue.
My primary actually ordered my labs - ANA titer 1:160 speckled pattern, lupus anticoagulant positive, low complement, plus more. Unfortunately, the rheumatologist I saw laughed at me & said it was “just fibromyalgia,” and proceeded to lie in her notes. The clinic that has a monopoly in the area apparently doesn’t allow second opinions from another provider in the same department. If I have to make the drive for care, I’d really like to go to a place where I know the atmosphere & I know the providers actually care.