Noran Neurological Clinic

I’ve been a patient at Noran for over 25 years because of a serious back injury I suffered which working at Methodist Hospital installing a computer network. I’ve seen Dodie Russell and Dr. Lux for years and both of them have done the best possible. Yes, I get frustrated with the chronic pain from that injury. They have supported me in each and every time I’ve been forced into WC court by Methodist Hospital for each and every medical claim. Methodist spends more money on lawyers than they do on just paying my medical expenses which by law they are required to do. Dr. Lux, especially has supported me each and every time. I can’t say anything better about him. He’s kind and careful and listens.

I couldn’t be more disappointed in a healthcare provider. My first visit (headaches) seemed fine, and I was amenable with the prescription the doctor recommended — but the prescription did nothing for acute headaches, and only seemed to make things worse. It was impossible to reach my doctor by phone, and messages went unreturned. Finally, a nurse said they were prescribing something, and I go to my pharmacy to find out they prescribed over-​the-​counter Aleve, which I had already told my doctor does nothing for the headaches. After several attempts, I gave up on reaching the doctor via phone.
I try to get online access to my account, and something is wrong with Noran’s system, because you need an access code which they email to you — but the emails don’t actually send until three weeks after you request it, by which point the codes are expired and you have to request new ones. Almost six months later, and I still don’t have online access.
I also had a brain MRI done at Noran. The technician was friendly and kept me informed throughout the process, and I was quite pleased that I was able to get a same-​day MRI, but I had to actually call Noran to get the results when they didn’t call me back. Again, I was unable to speak to my doctor — and a nurse told me that the MRI found something, but she didn’t know what it was or how to pronounce it. I asked for more information, and she started reading me information about my condition that she found online.
I felt Noran left me completely in the dark, so I eventually went to the Mayo Clinic — so glad I did — but my troubles with Noran weren’t over. I requested a copy of my MRI images to bring to Mayo, and they just didn’t bother to process my request. After several phone calls, they finally sent me the records over two months after I requested them.
Then, Noran had the audacity to start calling me AT WORK and harassing me for $ 125 in bills that Noran never sent me; amounts that directly contradict my insurance carrier’s numbers. Never any resolution, just more harassing calls. Finally, a Noran representative threatened to send me to collections and actually hung up on me! Because destroying my credit over $ 125 in dispute would totally be the cherry on top of this relationship.

There are so many good things I could say about the Noran Neurological Clinic, particularly Dr. Damergis, that I almost don’t entirely know where to begin. The most obvious however is that this is the first (and only) doctor I’ve encountered who is completely knowledgeable in narcolepsy with cataplexy. Dr. Damergis has literally given me my life back. I’ve seen a handful of other sleep doctors, but he’s the only one who has fully understood everything this disorder entails, as well as treatments for it. He has a great sense of humor, is very compassionate and listens carefully to you, and is clearly knowledgeable on a wide range of concerns relating to neurological issues.
My five star review goes beyond him however. I’ve never had any negative experience at Noran in the 3 years I’ve been going there. Every person I’ve communicated with, from scheduling appointments, to the staff who handle my medication requests and concerns, to the reception staff and other medical assistants — everyone has been fantastic, very personable, and professional.
I have had sleep studies at Abbott Northwestern Hospital and the Minnesota Sleep Institute and those places are complete garbage compared to the facilities at the Noran Clinic in Minneapolis. I just had a sleep study last night (my 5^th one; 1^st one at Noran) and I am totally blown away by the facility. If you have been to either of those other sleep study centers you would know that either you have a hospital bed or a hard, firm, painful spring mattress; that light pours in under the doors; that staff and others at the center are very loud and many noises can be heard during the night; or at the MN Sleep Institute, how the lights from Centennial Lakes Plaza’s parking lots pour into the room throughout the night. You will encounter none of this at the Noran Neurological Clinic.
The rooms are windowless to prevent these interruptions and the rooms are very well sound-​proofed. Unlike Abbott, the rooms are down a secluded, carpeted hallway with dimmed lights that don’t come into the room; essentially no light or sound will wake you up during the study. Also unlike these other clinics, there is a thermostat within the room you have full control over, multiple dimmer switches for the lighting, a full size Sleep Number bed, the most amazing pillows I’ve ever had in my life (including those at hotels), comfortable and modern furniture and very clean rooms. There is a flatscreen, large panel TV in each room with a full range of channels, including HBO. You have your own private bathroom (also something I’ve never had before) with very soft, plush towels, your own robe, and a dizzying, awesome assortment of shampoo and conditioner for the morning. There is even a hair dryer in the bathroom! If this wasn’t enough, there is also a fully-​stocked kitchen you have total, free access to. Any type of snack food you could possibly be inclined to eat before going to bed is in there, including a huge range of beverages. In the morning, they brought in fresh muffins and there was a Keurig machine you could use — even with to-​go cups if wanted. There is a huge range of other breakfast foods as well.
Basically I will never ever go to another sleep center so long as I live (if I can help it). If you are in the Twin Cities metro area and you don’t go to the Noran Neurological Clinic for your sleep disorder, you are seriously missing out. If you have a sleep study done anywhere else, I pity you, as this place is far better than anything else I’ve heard or seen.
Seriously. I can’t say enough good things about this place.

I have been to this clinic 3 times now, and have had a great experience each time.
Dr. Sethna was great, very informative and helpful. Also, Dr. Dodie Russell is probably the nicest doctor I have EVER seen. Extremely understanding and helpful, explained everything going on, and gave several different options for what I could do next. A seriously fantastic clinic.

I’ve been going to Dr. Michael Sethna at Noran Neurological Clinic for help with my migraine headaches for approximately five years. He is a compassionate, open-​minded and intelligent physician. He spends time understanding all the issues, remembers the details of your history and has a heart of gold. He also has a great and quirky sense of humor. He’s a gem!