sadie168
@sadie168
@sadie168
Posts: 13
Joined: Nov 06, 2018
So many questions. Seeing Rheumatology and GI at Mayo JAX
I have an appointment at the Jacksonville clinic in April. I can’t get answers with local doctors. I have so many things going on that I get eye rolls and passed on to another doctor with each appointment. I can’t begin to explain how it feels and I’m sure so many women with autoimmune disorders can relate to. I have an appointment with a rheumatologist and GI specialist. I guess I’m looking for others who have had experiences visiting this location and did they feel it was worth it. I have too many things to explain, but I have positive ANA, centromere, pernicious anemia, etc but there isn’t one part of my body that isn’t going crazy. The last rheumatologist said I had CREST but I honestly don’t think so. Anyway, if you have other things going in like vascular issues related to an undiagnosed condition what do they do because I was told they only do surgery not diagnosing or treatment. So will I just be told to go back to trying to find local doctors who can’t figure me out? I’m so overwhelmed and I would love to speak to someone who has gone through the Rheumatology group and GI group at Jacksonville. My appointments are in a Wednesday will they actually use the rest of the week to figure things out or just say I’ll have to come back at a later date? I know I’m all over the place, but I’m so overwhelmed with my health and I just want help finding a treatment plan that will helo get some of my life back.
Liked by JK, Volunteer Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor
@rosemarya
@rosemarya
Posts: 3372
Joined: Aug 30, 2011
@sadie168, Hi Sadie. I have only been to the Rochester Mayo. However, I can sense your concern about your health conditioin and about yout time in Jacksonville. I want to share this information along with some video introductions to familiarize you with the Mayo Clinic Jacksonville Campus. I hope that you will find some helpful information that will provide some calm before you begin your travel and visit.
Mayo Clinic's Campus in Florida
https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/florida
Rosemary
John, Volunteer Mentor
@johnbishop
@johnbishop
Posts: 3907
Joined: Mar 22, 2016
@sadie168 John, I guess I’m worried most about taking a leap of faith and traveling out of state to look for answers because as everyone knows, it’s money, kids, work etc. Realistically I can’t just run to Jacksonville to see doctors so it comes down to time frames I suppose. Also, I’m worried I will get that same blank stare that I’m so used to. Not one doctor in all of these years will look at my LONG list of issues and put them together to find a solution. I asked the last rheumatologist if I indeed had CREST can it be the cause of my GI issues and the stenosis of my celiac artery. She says I’m not a GI specialist. Then I ask the GI specialist and he said well I’m not a rheumatologist. A lady at MAYO concerned me because I asked a similar question and she said no the individual specialty groups do not work together per say, they just evaluate you and Internal medicine sends you to the specialties you need. I guess it comes down to the unknown. I was also concerned because there aren’t a lot of specialties there. I have to much to type about, but when asking about specialists I was told they don’t have them there. I can’t afford to fly to the larger MAYO clinics and stay there. Anyway, I could ramble on. I know I just need to stop stressing, go, and see what happens. Thanks for listening. 🙂
@sadie168 I can certainly understand where you are coming from – the unknown is a little scary. The response from the lady at Mayo you spoke with kind of surprises me a little. The way she described internal medicine sends you to the specialties you need kind of sounds like they work together to me. Mayo Clinic as a whole is a patient centered health system so they do referrals to other specialists when/as needed. I think they are really unique in the health care industry. Here's some information on their care:
The Mayo Clinic Model of Care is “carved in stone” at Heritage Hall
— http://history.mayoclinic.org/toolkit/mayo-clinic-model-of-care.php
I'm hoping you will be able to share your experience after your appointment and that you get the answers and help you need.
sadie168
@sadie168
@sadie168
Posts: 13
Joined: Nov 06, 2018
@tinkerbell @sadie168 – I go to Mayo at Jacksonville on a regular basis. I would be happy to talk to you on the phone and can fill you in on the whole process. This facility is so wonderful. I will have to find out how to do a private message.
Tinkerbell I sent you a PM. Would love to hear about your experience.
tinkerbell
@tinkerbell
@tinkerbell
Posts: 123
Joined: Jan 01, 2018
@sadie168 – I think the best way is for you to call me or I can call you. It is too much information to to type.
Liked by John, Volunteer Mentor
sadie168
@sadie168
@sadie168
Posts: 13
Joined: Nov 06, 2018
Thank you to everyone who shared links and information. I will definitely post how my visit goes. Having these groups are so important for so many reasons. I’m glad I finally joined.
redhead63
@redhead63
@redhead63
Posts: 77
Joined: Apr 25, 2018
@sadie168 John, I guess I’m worried most about taking a leap of faith and traveling out of state to look for answers because as everyone knows, it’s money, kids, work etc. Realistically I can’t just run to Jacksonville to see doctors so it comes down to time frames I suppose. Also, I’m worried I will get that same blank stare that I’m so used to. Not one doctor in all of these years will look at my LONG list of issues and put them together to find a solution. I asked the last rheumatologist if I indeed had CREST can it be the cause of my GI issues and the stenosis of my celiac artery. She says I’m not a GI specialist. Then I ask the GI specialist and he said well I’m not a rheumatologist. A lady at MAYO concerned me because I asked a similar question and she said no the individual specialty groups do not work together per say, they just evaluate you and Internal medicine sends you to the specialties you need. I guess it comes down to the unknown. I was also concerned because there aren’t a lot of specialties there. I have to much to type about, but when asking about specialists I was told they don’t have them there. I can’t afford to fly to the larger MAYO clinics and stay there. Anyway, I could ramble on. I know I just need to stop stressing, go, and see what happens. Thanks for listening. 🙂
Hi:
I did not know Mayo takes patients after the age of 65. I was told by a lady friend that Mayo will not take patients if they are 65 or older unless they have private health insurance not Medicare? Anyway I hope you find your answer.
Zaroga
@fourof5zs
@fourof5zs
Posts: 78
Joined: Dec 22, 2016
@redhead63 Hi:
I did not know Mayo takes patients after the age of 65. I was told by a lady friend that Mayo will not take patients if they are 65 or older unless they have private health insurance not Medicare? Anyway I hope you find your answer.
@redhead63 They will accept Medicare under certain criteria (exactly what those are I do not know) but you will have to pay a little more out of pocket than usual with Medicare. I also have Tricare for Life.. another insurance that is not on their list of insurance accepted. I do not have anyone locally that can take care of my medical needs, so the Mayo Clinic works with my insurance companies.. The Mayo Clinic also takes patients with no insurance because they are the people's last hope.
John, Volunteer Mentor
@johnbishop
@johnbishop
Posts: 3907
Joined: Mar 22, 2016
@redhead63 and @fourof5zs — You can find out more about billing and insurance at Mayo Clinic here: http://mayocl.in/2kk2hF8. I have Medicare and a Medicare Avantage plan and I am a Mayo Clinic Rochester patient though my primary care is a local Mayo Family Health Clinic in the area.
Liked by Teresa, Volunteer Mentor
@peach414144
In reply to @fourof5zs
Thank you but I need to go to school so I can learn how to use this smart phone and then purchase a smart phone. I have a flip top phone now. Doctors cannot help my failing eyesight. Gloucoma and.
Liked by John, Volunteer Mentor