Mayo Pain Rehab Program: Signing off and my comeback afterwards

Hi folks! Checking in and wanting to thank you for your good wishes, unwavering support and encouragement. It really does mean a lot to me to have you in my corner and I want you to know that I'm in your corners too. Although I need to limit my time on Connect and can't comb through tons of conversations and updates, I'd love to know how everyone is doing. If you are interested in dropping me a brief note via my private message, I will look forward to reading and responding in a paced manner.

In response to Hank's curiosities about how I managed the obstacles of Mayo PRC, travel and solo hotel living... it's best to keep it simple and positive, by not drudging up those challenges, with the following 3 answers:

1. MENTAL FORTITUDE
2. FAMILY SUPPORT
3. COMPETENT, WORLD CLASS REHAB PROGRAM

I leave you with a quote from Dolly Parton...
"We cannot direct the wind,
but, we can adjust the sails."

My best to you,
Rachel

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Hi folks! Checking in and wanting to thank you for your good wishes, unwavering support and encouragement. It really does mean a lot to me to have you in my corner and I want you to know that I'm in your corners too. Although I need to limit my time on Connect and can't comb through tons of conversations and updates, I'd love to know how everyone is doing. If you are interested in dropping me a brief note via my private message, I will look forward to reading and responding in a paced manner.

In response to Hank's curiosities about how I managed the obstacles of Mayo PRC, travel and solo hotel living... it's best to keep it simple and positive, by not drudging up those challenges, with the following 3 answers:

1. MENTAL FORTITUDE
2. FAMILY SUPPORT
3. COMPETENT, WORLD CLASS REHAB PROGRAM

I leave you with a quote from Dolly Parton...
"We cannot direct the wind,
but, we can adjust the sails."

My best to you,
Rachel

Jump to this post

Hi folks! Checking in and wanting to thank you for your good wishes, unwavering support and encouragement. It really does mean a lot to me to have you in my corner and I want you to know that I'm in your corners too. Although I need to limit my time on Connect and can't comb through tons of conversations and updates, I'd love to know how everyone is doing. If you are interested in dropping me a brief note via my private message, I will look forward to reading and responding in a paced manner.

In response to Hank's curiosities about how I managed the obstacles of Mayo PRC, travel and solo hotel living... it's best to keep it simple and positive, by not drudging up those challenges, with the following 3 answers:

1. MENTAL FORTITUDE
2. FAMILY SUPPORT
3. COMPETENT, WORLD CLASS REHAB PROGRAM

I leave you with a quote from Dolly Parton...
"We cannot direct the wind,
but, we can adjust the sails."

My best to you,
Rachel

Jump to this post

Hello everyone,

Happy Spring!!! I hope this message finds you happy, safe and motivated. As we all know, each day is a new day and most times that thought alone is the motivation needed to continue our journey through chronic pain. For me, a sunny day, family, distraction and humor is the best medicine.

I'm approaching 6 months since visiting Mayo Clinic Pain Rehab Center for Central Sensitization/chronic pain. All in all I'm doing good. It really does depend on the day and my symptoms as to how I express myself. Acceptance is something I continue to work on but, that's ok as long as I keep working. I'm very grateful for the strides of strength and getting my body out of the deconditioning it had known. I've reached a plateau and realize after 6 months, it's as good as it's able to get. I work at maintaining what I do have, working smarter not harder and giving myself grace. I'm very grateful for receiving cognitive behavioral therapy and gaining tools to help my anxiety, depression and worrisome ways. I'm very grateful to not have opiates in my body which exacerbated symptoms and pain from Central Sensitization Syndrome. CSS throws enough my way without the additional help of pain enhancement. I'm very grateful to have been taught how to structure my day, be accountable and put myself first.

As the journey continues for us all, know that I'm here fighting along with you. It's my hope that if anyone out there has CSS or such a plethora of symptoms they nor their Drs. know what to do anymore or how to help, look into Mayo Clinic Pain Rehabilitation Center and Dr. Sletten. It is an incredible program! The program can not take away your disease, diagnosis or condition but, it can help you learn in a comprehensive manner how to live better with what life has handed you.

Wishing you well and sending lots of hope, joy and love your way. Stay safe.
Rachel

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Hello everyone,

Happy Spring!!! I hope this message finds you happy, safe and motivated. As we all know, each day is a new day and most times that thought alone is the motivation needed to continue our journey through chronic pain. For me, a sunny day, family, distraction and humor is the best medicine.

I'm approaching 6 months since visiting Mayo Clinic Pain Rehab Center for Central Sensitization/chronic pain. All in all I'm doing good. It really does depend on the day and my symptoms as to how I express myself. Acceptance is something I continue to work on but, that's ok as long as I keep working. I'm very grateful for the strides of strength and getting my body out of the deconditioning it had known. I've reached a plateau and realize after 6 months, it's as good as it's able to get. I work at maintaining what I do have, working smarter not harder and giving myself grace. I'm very grateful for receiving cognitive behavioral therapy and gaining tools to help my anxiety, depression and worrisome ways. I'm very grateful to not have opiates in my body which exacerbated symptoms and pain from Central Sensitization Syndrome. CSS throws enough my way without the additional help of pain enhancement. I'm very grateful to have been taught how to structure my day, be accountable and put myself first.

As the journey continues for us all, know that I'm here fighting along with you. It's my hope that if anyone out there has CSS or such a plethora of symptoms they nor their Drs. know what to do anymore or how to help, look into Mayo Clinic Pain Rehabilitation Center and Dr. Sletten. It is an incredible program! The program can not take away your disease, diagnosis or condition but, it can help you learn in a comprehensive manner how to live better with what life has handed you.

Wishing you well and sending lots of hope, joy and love your way. Stay safe.
Rachel

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Hello everyone! Thank you so much for your kind words and well wishes. I got home last week and have been reacclimating to my new scheduled life of moderation, modification, flexibility, stability and patience. My Mayo PRC experience was a positive one. It is an awe-inspiring program which is based on Central Sensitization Syndrome.

I finally put the anticipated pieces of my health puzzle together by learning the science behind CSS and the tools to live with it the rest of my life.

For those who aren't familiar, CSS is an upregulation of peripheral input sensory via the spinal cord to the brain. It creates hyper stimulation resulting in symptoms of pain, fatigue, nausea, numbness, dizziness, burning, spasm, tremor and/or spells. Triggers can be light, sound, smell, taste, temperature, movement and touch. Sensory impact can be on skin, gut, muscle, bone, joint, balance, nerve, vascular, smell, vision, taste, hearing. Basically, having CSS means it takes less to hurt, more things cause hurt, hurt lasts longer and fewer things help the hurt.

I have a lot of work to do to in order to remain stable which includes an in home physical therapy plan of excercises, morning stretches and therapeutic cardio. I will continue to work on my emotional and behavioral stability as well. While at Mayo, I eliminated chemicals as in pain medications, most supplements and will no longer be receiving injections or infusions. These are all major parts of the program that I will be all in on for the rest of my life as to calm CSS.

I want to thank all of you for being such a supportive, encouraging, and caring group. I feel fortunate to have met you. As it is not in my best interest to participate on Connect, I am saying goodbye. I may check in from time to time and say hello. Please take good care everyone. Stay positive, stay strong. 😊 My best to you always. XOXOXOXOXOXO

Sincerely,
Rachel

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Good day, did the CSS is an upregulation of peripheral input sensory via the spinal cord to the brain, still working for your Peripheral neuropathy? Is it worth and beneficial to contact Mayo? Who was you physician here at Scottsdale/Phoenix?

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@kenbahler2004 Hello, thank you for your inquiry. I visited Jacksonville, FL Mayo Clinic and worked with Dr. Padolov and Dr. Sletten. CSS mirrors some symptoms of peripheral neuropathy and ultimately more. The upregulation creates an umbrella over many symptoms regardless of cause. Each individual may be different in what or how much they experience.

The Mayo Pain Rehabilitation Center (PRC) offers a comprehensive approach to teaching chronic pain patients how to best live with what they have been handed. Each person may have different underlying causes for their symptoms such as neuropathy, fibromyalgia, diabetes, migraine etc... however, PRC works with each individual's needs by assessing their medical history and determining what medications may be making symptoms worse verses medications that are needed for survival. The idea is to learn how to strengthen your body and mind through physical therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, biofeedback, proper nutrition, occupational therapy and daily structure.

I highly recommend you reach out to Mayo Clinic and be assessed. You've got nothing to lose!

Rachel

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