3 week pain clinic

Posted by ginnyodie @ginnyodie, Oct 12, 2019

Has anyone gone through the 3 week pain clinic? It was recommended for Gastroparesis. It is also $50,000. BCBS turned it down as medically unnecessary. We have filed an appeal. Just wondering if it’s worth it?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

I have never heard of a pain clinic for gastro where is it?

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It’s not just for Gastroparesis but the Mayo dr recommended it. That’s why I’m asking. It seems more focused on people getting off opioids. Rochester Mayo Clinic.

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@ginnyodie

It’s not just for Gastroparesis but the Mayo dr recommended it. That’s why I’m asking. It seems more focused on people getting off opioids. Rochester Mayo Clinic.

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Oh ok. I was hoping it was something to help with the pain of gastroparesis.
Thanks for answering back.

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I think it’s odd that most of the answers you get from mayo aren’t covered by insurance or you have to fight to get it covered....

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@martft4

Oh ok. I was hoping it was something to help with the pain of gastroparesis.
Thanks for answering back.

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That’s what the Mayo Gastroparesis Dr is recommending for the gastroparesis
pain.

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Hello @ginnyodie,

I’d like to provide some more information regarding Mayo Clinic’s Pain Rehabilitation Center (PRC).
The 3-week program is intended for adults whose chronic pain is a major health issue and who, because of pain, have experienced a significant decline in functional abilities, mood and quality of life. Each PRC employs an integrated team of health care professionals trained in many areas, including pain medicine, physical therapy, psychology, occupational therapy, biofeedback and nursing.

The two-day pain rehabilitation program at Mayo Clinic's campus in Minnesota teaches adults with chronic pain the skills they need to self-manage their pain. The program uses a cognitive behavioral model to teach people coping skills to manage pain, with an emphasis on improving function and reducing unnecessary health care utilization. It doesn't include physical or occupational therapy, or medication management for discontinuing pain medication. https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/pain-rehabilitation-center/services

At present, Mayo Clinic gastroenterologists who work with the PRC are conducting clinical trials of new ways to diagnose and treat gastroparesis. For instance, researchers in the Enteric Neuroscience Program are studying the underlying mechanics of the digestive system, including nerve reflexes between the stomach and brain, as well as new methods of gastric biopsy to better understand the underlying causes of gastroparesis. https://www.mayo.edu/research/labs/enteric-neuroscience/program-projects

Here are two Connect discussions about the pain rehab. program that might interest you:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pain-rehabilitation-21da8b/.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/pain-rehab-program-decision/
I'd also like to invite a few members who have talked about their experiences with the Pain Rehabilitation Clinic – please meet @joanmahon @titansmistress @tazscott @pammaw @tomb1

@ginnyodie, would you share a few details about how you’ve coped and managed thus far? Do you know if there’s a probable cause (diabetes, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, other autoimmune disorders) for your diagnosis?

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Thank you very much for all the information. I Unfortunately we found out today BCBS denied the appeal. As we did not have the $45,000 to put down we were dropped from starting on Oct 24. So I guess it’s a mute point. Having ended up in the ER and hospitalized for 2 days following 3 pills of Motegrity we are now sadly out of options.

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@ginnyodie

Thank you very much for all the information. I Unfortunately we found out today BCBS denied the appeal. As we did not have the $45,000 to put down we were dropped from starting on Oct 24. So I guess it’s a mute point. Having ended up in the ER and hospitalized for 2 days following 3 pills of Motegrity we are now sadly out of options.

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@ginnyodie I am really sorry that the appeal has been denied and that you no longer have that option. I am not familiar with gastroparesis, what type of pain does it cause? I hope you are able to find some options that will help you.
JK

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Wow, is that the fee for just the program, not including what it would cost to stay there for 3 weeks? Holy moly! It was recommended to me also, however my Mayo Dr. and I have a philosophical 'difference of opinion" in how to treat me, so I fear we will be breaking up. 😀 😀 😀 . I had some great testing there and they found some things that there are potential treatments for, and I feel further exploration could be helpful.. i.e I am interested in getting rid of my problems (if possible), not "learning how to live with pain", which I see as last resort.

I also wanted info about what this program was, and didn't get any, was told I would get that during evaluation, which I could have on the phone. I said I would do that, but they just set it up at a time a couldn't make, so when I tried to reschedule, they said I had to come in person (I'm not local).

I'm assuming it's the usual stuff.. meditation, exercise, 'stress relief', I guess there is some physical and occupational therapy.

I was worried about paying for a hotel for 3 weeks, and again, would rather explore some treatment options, but am curious to read any answers!

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@martft4

Oh ok. I was hoping it was something to help with the pain of gastroparesis.
Thanks for answering back.

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It's a program for pain in general. I don't know if it's specific for GI pain although the GI clinic does send people there. Basically for people with pain they don't know what to do about.

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