Has anyone been to Mayo Jacksonville to diagnose pain?

[viningspain]

I have been having pain on my left side for about two years.  It started out as a sciatica pain and is now constant in my hip, buttocks and back.  I have had every test known to man and nothing shows up on the imagery.  I have been going to physical therapy and have tried four different PTs over the past two years.  I take Ultram and Ambien and still cannot subdue to pain or sleep through the night.  Without a diagnosis it is very hard to have doctors take me seriously and I KNOW that something is causing the pain.

I have set up an appointment at Mayo in Jacksonville and want to make sure I am making another wrong turn.  Has anyone been there for this type of thing?  

[viningspain]

Thank you for your reply.  You seem to hit it on the head.  I have been told it is an SI joint issue and have been sent to physical therapy so I guess "no diagnosis" is an incorrect statement.  It is just any treatment for the SI joint has been ineffective and the orthos I have been to don't react to it as though it is an actual painful condition.  I have had injections, Nurotin (sp?), Lyrica, Tramadol, and Percocet.  The physical therapy (I have faithfully gone almost every week twice a week for 1 1/2 years) was to "strengthen my inner core" to support the SI joint.  Then I was told I had chronic bursitis and got injections in the hip and more exercises.  So far nothing has worked and I have been told I do not have Bursitis--that it was an incorrect diagnosis.  It hurts like heck all of the time -- especially in the hip and buttocks.  I just want to be a on a good treatment program--or I should say an effective treatment program.

As far as being a seeker--my current ortho does not prescribe Percocet for more then 10 days so he has me on Tramadol.  While it does something, it certainly doesn't work as well as Percocet.  However, he refuses to prescribe it anymore so I guess I am a "seeker" too.

So what was your treatment?

[tanglewood]

I have a relative who went to Mayo in Jacksonville, FL. They were very thorough, professional, nice, etc. They have an excellent reputation - you will be in good hands.

[Tuckamore]

Hello and welcome to the Pain Management Community. I have not been to the Jacksonville Mayo Clinic. However I have many close friend and family that have been to the Mayo Clinic in the north. It has an excellent reputation and has done wonders for all those that I know.

I'm going to sound like a broken record but have they ruled out a SIJ (sacroiliac joint) Dysfunction? I went for years without a diagnosis. Sleepless nights and all. I have pain in my buttock, lower back, hip and often my upper thigh. No one could find the reason for my pain and than I stumbled across a very astute D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathy). I too was not taken seriously. It was extremely frustrating and humiliating. I was viewed as a drug seeker and was given many unkind, untruthful labels until I was correctly diagnosed. SIJ Dysfunction is rare and often goes undiagnosed because the symptoms mimic so many other conditions, usually associated with the spinal structure. It's just a thought.

Good luck to you. I will watch with interest for your next update. Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. Hang in there and take care. Tuck

[sandee1818]

I know of a couple good PM doctors in jville although I have not been to the Mayo I have heard great things about them. If you need a recommendation after you see them let me know maybe I can help.