Should I go to Mayo?

I see no harm in multiple opinions.  If you are in the Chicago area you might want to check into the Cleveland Clinic also.  It would have to be about the same distance as the Mayo in Rochester.  The one thing about multiple opinons is if there is a contradiction with doctors on a treatment or diagnosis then you have a good place to start your research.  As far as a good doctor to go see, do a search of this site and I am sure some have spoken of doctors they have seen at both places.  Hope this helps.

John

If you can afford to do it, definitely consider it.
q

Thanks, my insurance will cover it. I'll difinately think about it.

Thanks, I may consider University of Chicago too. Personally, I just hate going to doctors. I usually avoid it at all costs. Oh well, I will do what I need to. If my biopsy results show dysplasia....I will probably go to Mayo and Univ, of Chicago. Thanks fo the resposes. Bellski

seconder said...
I wouldn't go to the Mayo Clinic for a second opinion. For the most part, medical care is fairly standardized

Disagree. Places like Mayo see rare things everyday like your family practice Dr. sees sore throats. There is no place on earth I would rather go if I had the choice. Saying medical care is fairly standardized is like saying all cars drive the same. They do all drive, but clearly are not the same. This is my opinion.

Interesting perspective, ucdude.

If I had a rare complication of uc, I might consider seeking out a regional powerhouse, but I'll guess most people with uc have plain old uc (so to speak).  There are competent (if not excellent) doctors in Chicago who can provide a standard second opinion which is what it seems Bellski is asking in her original.

I would not buy an M6 to drive the five miles back and forth to work.

And, if I had a rare complication of uc, I think I'd still look for care within a reasonable home range for consistency and convenience if nothing else.  Surely there are competent (if not excellent) doctors in Chicago.

I would not buy a Rolls Royce if the only mechanic was a six-hour drive away.

If seeking local care meant I could spending an afternoon relaxing at Millenium Park or Lincoln Park Zoo instead of a stressful drive to the Mayo Clinic to be told to keep taking my meds, I'd choose the fun.  Better for my health, I'd think.

Here's the thread Old Hat mentioned.  Makes for interesting reading:

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=1040845

Just my two cents.

Thanks for the input. I will probably just go to Univ. Of Chic. unless I get bad results about the dysplasia. Then I will go to both Univ. of Chic. and Mayo. My family is big on Mayo. But, I do see the benefits of having a doc close by for follow up. If we do go to Mayo, we would stay in the hotel and stay for a few days. But hopefully won't have to. I like my doctor I have now too. Take Care, Lori Bellski)

Thanks Old Hat, I'll looking into that right away! (:

Bellski - Old Hat's article is indeed great, and I am certain it will help you and your husband to make the best decision for you. I still wanted to throw in my own two cents, though...

My own opinion is that it is always a good idea to get a second opinion. Anyone with any disease who has the ability to get a second opinion, should do so. Doctors aren't superhuman. They do make mistakes. IBD is certainly not a black and white disease. There is lots of grey. It is always beneficial to seek a second interpretation.

My next opinion is... go to the best doctors you can. If you can afford to and are able to, travel to the best. Why not? It is your health! I live in Cleveland and go only to the Cleveland Clinic. Thankfully, I have good health insurance that allows me to do so. Why would I settle for second best when I don't have to? Regardless of the severity of your disease, you should seek out the best physicians you can.

Sorry I can't answer your last question. Usually the Colonoscopy and biopsies are the deciding factors when diagnosing.
I am in Chicago and from the So. burbs. Get out of there...get to U of C or Northwestern, --- U of C has world class UC doc's. Any one of them will get the group's collective brainpower(don't expect to get S. Hanouer any time quickly though).
On another note, I saw that you have a high fiber diet listed....we were told to stay LOW fiber while having any sort of issue. Perhaps we can regain fiber in remission, but not quite there yet. Even an apple is taboo. Wonder why your GI thinks differently. Thoughts?