cognitive behavior class

I took the Pain Rehab class in 2015. I chose the three week, five days per week for 8 hrs/day. I was a wreck when I started. I was in constant severe pain. During the first week they wean you off your opioids. This was a week from hell, getting off my Morphine I took for 7 years, but guess what? I survived. The class helps you identify what activities cause your severe pain, learn how to avoid certain activities that cause an increase in pain, learn how to change your activities to minimize the pain. They also teach you ways to make pain go away by itself. It's very hard to explain here, but damn it, it works. the people teaching the classes are WONDERFUL. they do wonders.
The class is not cheap, but it is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most health insurances.

Thank you so much for your information. What was your source if pain and did you get evaluated before the class?

Chronic Peripheral Idiopathic Neuropathy in my legs and feet following a motor vehicle accident.

A large part of the class is learning how to relax COMPLETLY, something difficult without some coaching. There was physical and occupational therapy, and other things that would be impossible to do as well at home sitting in front of the computer. Additionally, the drug withdrawal monitoring would not work. Missing out interacting with the wonderful staff, being in a class where everyone has the same or worse pain as you, and seeing how the class is affecting their life. Listening to some real heart rendering stories told by classmates puts your pain in perspective. Watching the gradual improvement in your and your classmates overall pain and attitude towards life. I don't think an on-line program would be as effective. Definitely cheaper though. I won't argue that point.

vickiekay, I won't argue about the hardship, But, this class is successful because it is an immersion type class. For five days per week you eat, sleep, and think about how your and your classmates pain affects their lives, and gradually see improvements in everyone. I seriously believe changing the format would have a huge and negative effect on the program. That's just my opinion.

That is good information I didn't have before. Thanks @medic7054

I would love to hear your experience with this and find out if it has helped you.

I hear your concerns and wonder the same thing about this course. I guess if you have good insurance and are well enough to make it through a whole day. Maybe they don't want the real bad ones?

Has anyone gone to the Mayo Clinic Pain Rehabilitation Center for the multi week program? Is it worth it?
ronnie

Hello @grandmar, thank you for asking the community about the pain rehab program at Mayo Clinic. You may notice that I moved your discussion in to an existing discussion called, "cognitive behavior class." I did this because it has many members that have experienced and gone through the program that you ask about.

@lynettegable, @medic7054, and @lauriedr, all discussed their experiences with the course, so if you are replying by email, I recommend clicking on VIEW & REPLY so that you will be brought to the full discussion to read through. Do you have a specific question you would like to ask the group about the program?