Cleveland Clinic, anyone been there?

I don't know much about Mayo/Ohio, but I don't live far from the Cleveland Clinic and had thought about going there. Chose Pittsburgh instead but I'm beginning to wonder if I made the right choice. One thing I can say is that Cleveland Clinic has an excellent repurtation, AND a very informative website. I'd suggest reading everything you can on the website. If you're not far away, I think it's certainly worth an evaluation with them. They have a Spine Center and are used to people coming from all over the world, so you can even send your records and have them reviewed, and they will determine which specialist you should see. Be sure to check with your insurance first, though, and make sure they'll cover a referral and whether your PCP needs to do it or you can self-refer. Cleveland lets your self-refer, but your insurance may not. One thing I've found trying to collect even some of my medical records is that they are far from accurate, so I'd suggest reviewing the records BEFORE they go to Cleveland and make sure patient report data is accurate (the stuff you tell your MD's about your pain). Be careful not to suggest to your MD's that you're challenging their medical diagnosis, opinions, etc., but you can make sure all meds are recorded accurately, and that are your symptoms are listed. Let me know if you end up going.

Hey Afloat!!

Ahoy!! Sorry to see that you're in pain again or still....last time we wrote, you were getting over your rhyzotomy..... Did you get any relief from that? Oh how I prayed you would!

If you're not too tired, please let me know how you're doing! And how your school/career plans are going!

You are very special to me!
~Lakeside

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2 lumbar surgeries for L4-L5-S1 cystic tumor & post-surgical CSF leak complications. (Fall of '06). Central canal stenosis, severe degnerative arthrosis, grade 1 (21% shift) spondylolisthesis @ L5-S1 area, sensory & nerve function loss & radiculopathy in r leg/foot, on-going facet pain, sacral/illiac pain, lots of epidural fibrosis @ L5/S1.