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Your thoughts re: Minneapolis Mayo vs Arizona Mayo vs. Florida Mayo
Hello, does anyone have any thoughts/feelings about which Mayo to go to for somewhat complex ENT issues? Back in October in 2004, I was seeing a neurologist because I have had neuropathy in the toes of both my feet, which is what led to the MRI of my upper spine when the Vallecular cyst was found. I went to MDA and was very disappointed as I had a trainee who did the laryngoscopy & could not see the actual cyst. She didn't think it was cancer. But I have a lot of discomfort and pain, The doctor came in for about 2-3 minutes after the trainee left. The cyst is there and very visible in the MRI and CT scan. Here's the list of findings so far: Vallecular cyst, midline thornwaldt cyst, lingual tonsil hpertrophym white cystic lesion right of midline, vallecula obstructed by lingual tonsil, mild vocal fold atrophy and supraglottic compression and nodules in my upper lung issues. Aside from being in pain in my throat much of the time, I have been feeling emotionally paralyzed since this all came up back in late November. And physically, I feel worse & I need help badly. Back in 2003/2004, I went to Mayo in Minnesota because of throat pain, and they removed one of my thyroid glands because I had Hurthle cells though I did not have cancer. They removed it because of the risk of developing cancer. They said they weren't sure what was causing the pain. They tried to do a test to see if I had reflux but I was unable to swallow the tube that has to sit in your stomach for 24 hrs. I think it was called 24hr. PH monitor. Dr. Eric J Moore was my surgeon and doctor at the Mayo in Minnesota. I was confident with his abilities & very satisfied with his surgery. But I was much younger, like 20+ years younger. I am going to be 73 in March.I lived with it for many years and it slowly got better. Then it started to come back again. Now I have pain, a feeling of intense fullness in my throat, like it is swelling up, burping, which I never had before, and voice changes. Sometimes when I am talking I just go hoarse and it is very uncomfortable to talk. I cannot sing anymore because I cannot hear myself out of one ear, so I don't know if I am on pitch or not. It's all very annoying & scary too. I don't know where to turn. Vallecular cysts are considered rare so I would like to go somewhere that can deal with this and hopefully get me some relief. We live in New Mexico so I was thinking it might be less stress for my husband & to go there IF I can get in. OKAY-sorry for all the details and length. I guess when you stop talking you start writing. Any thoughts about the other Mayo's? And anyone deal with anything like what I am dealing with? Oh, one more thing, the "trainee" at MDA told me that they don't take those vallecular cysts out. Yet my research shows that when they are causing someone discomfort they do but it is a very tricky high risk surgery because the vallecula is in the area of the airway.
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@claudia72
I cannot comment on you specific condition, but can answer question about Mayo. All locations have ENT specialists, so I would make decision based on location, insurance and appointment availability. Each Mayo has its own insurance policies about what they accept and if you insurance is in-network. FYI, the MN Mayo is in Rochester MN, not Minneapolis.
Hopefully other members will share their experience about seeing an ENT specialist at Mayo.
Here are few links to follow up with questions about Mayo:
Insurance: https://www.mayoclinic.org/billing-insurance/insurance
Requesting an Appointment:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/appointments
You might also want to post a new discussion topic asking about vallecular cysts.
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5 ReactionsI went to an ENT here in MS who trained in Arizona. Was not impressed at all. He told me that he could refer me to another ENT who trained at House Clinic in LA. I flatly told him, as by this time I had no filter, "why do you waste all your time at Mayo." If you are from NM then LA would not be that far away for you. House Cliinic, look it up, is supposed to be THE ENT EXPERTS and training facility. I had a close friend that had a cochlear implant performed there and she was extremely pleased with there care. Hope this helps. Raised in NM, in LC. Best of luck
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2 Reactions@claudia72
I have been a patient of Mayo Jacksonville since 2006. It is an outstanding medical facility.
I think Rochester probably is the gold only because they have been in operation the longest and they are the biggest. ENT specialist are at each location. I see my ENT every 6 months. I have some polyps that she has me treat with XHANCE and when needed saline nasal rinses.
She could not be more outstanding. She knows my case past and present and asked a lot of questions not only about ENT by other medical problem I am having. She is working hard to get medications needed by her patients that insurance won't cover by working with the manufacturers of those medications.
My wife sees her also. When either of us are in there she is asking question about spouse doing and how are they symptoms.
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3 ReactionsI totally agree with you claudia72 about the Jacksonville, Florida's doctors; I have seen various ENTs since the early 1990's, and they all have taken great care of me. Now I travel there once a year for my appointments to see two separate specialists and the appointments are made the same day and if a CT or other tests are required, they will try to schedule it on that same day or the following day. By the appointment day I have received an appointment schedule and instructions sheets. Sorry I can't comment on Rochester MN or Arizona's Mayo clinic since my only experience has been with the Jacksonville campus.
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4 ReactionsThank you healing 777, for commenting. It sounds like you have had good experiences there. My experience at Mayo in Rochester was also very good and I felt like I was in good hands. But more things have come up now, so just trying to figure out next steps.
Thank you jc76, I appreciate hearing of your and your wife's experiences. Hopefully, I can get in somewhere...
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2 Reactionskhalsa-thank you for that information. I am a little confuse. You saw an ENT in Mississippi who trained in AZ.? Di that doctor train at Mayo? Will look into House Clinic in LA, thanks!
Laurie, thank you. I understand. I have been to Mayo in Rochester but it was a long time ago. I will follow your suggestions and appreciate your response. Claudia
Yes he trained at Mayo, but told me the ENT to deal with the issue was one I had already gone to and was to say the least nasty and unprofeessional... in fact got upset that I asked a questions and he got upset and walked out of the office. ....he trained at House. BTW my dizzy/vertigo non-stop for 8 months was caused by a new medication that my pulmo recommended when I returned from having Valves inserted......Eliquis.....I was the one that researched that and found at leat 8 case studies and a NIH research article re warfarin vs Eliquis. When something "acute" (sudden onset) happens look at what has changed in your treatment first and rule them out, House Clinic I think would be your best bet. Can you get your physician to do a referral? Sometimes that speeds things up
Awesome claudia72, I'm happy that you are trying to figure out the next steps since more things has come up. Prayers your way, you are never alone, take care.
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