Any experience with Residential Chronic Pain Treatment Programs?

@alh123 Hello, I am truly sorry for all you have gone through. Twelve years is a long time, you must be exhausted. I understand the myriad of emotions and stressors chronic symptoms and pain creates. I lived it and finally came to the conclusion that I was worth more than my chronic situations were allowing me to be. As a person, my identity had been lost. My family suffered from it as well. We may not be able to change our circumstance, but we can change our response to it. Life can be better by understanding how to manage our physical, emotional, behavioral and chemical presence. You are worth investing in!

I committed to going to Mayo Clinic's outpatient 3 week pain rehab program because I absolutely found no other option suitable. Sure, I was in doubt of how I was actually going to physically get there, not to mention anxiety and all the other stuff that comes with living chronic for years and not getting the help I needed, or doctors knew how to give me. I mean come on, the Mayo Clinic, it's world renowned, and the program creator, Dr. Sletten, was in Florida running it. I found his video online and he spoke to me. The PRC program offered hope and a path forward, a plan in fact. PRC essentially gave me my life back and taught me more than I ever expected. I gain valuable life skills and perspective. I got stronger physically and slowly was able to get out of the debilitated state I was in. I also discontinued my use of hydrocodone, multiple migraine meds, nausea meds, medical marijuana. With hard work, dedication and commitment, I have become a new, healthier version of myself. I learned how to say goodbye to that miserable, toxic time in my life and forged ahead with a plan and tools that give me stability, empowerment and internal fortitude.

I heard you say, "I'm not really capable" and that made me sad. I understand why you feel that way. I almost backed out of going to rehab at the last minute with that very thought. I had not believed in myself or my abilities physically or mentally. My emotions were tanked and my behavioral pattern was toxic, hence why I need to go. I ended up having to remind myself that I was not dead and this was not gong to kill me. I used disabled children as my inspiration, military vets, and any other motivating factor to tell myself that I was strong enough to make it happen and it was going to make me stronger. And stronger it did make me. It was the hardest, but BEST and most REWARDING thing I have ever done in my life.

I wanted to share this with you because I believe in hope, and I hope that you believe in yourself enough to seek opportunity no matter how hard it may be.

Here is the video I mentioned from Mayo's Dr. Sletten. He discusses Central Sensitization Syndrome which helps to explain chronic pain and conditions. You may find it helpful.

And here is information about Mayo's Pain Rehab Center in case you are not fully familiar:

- https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/pain-rehabilitation-center/sections/overview/ovc-20481691

Sorry if I went on, I get a little passionate about helping others. I realize you are looking for a residential rehab center, unfortunately, I am unaware of any. PRC offers the multidisciplinary approach you are looking for and is a very disciplined approach to what you are looking for. I hope you will reconsider. I am here if you have any questions and am happy to help. Do you mind letting me know your thoughts on the video?

Keep your chin up! I respect that you know what you are looking for and have your finger on the pulse of understanding what needs to be done to better your path forward. Keep hope alive, my friend.

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I’ve just read this and haven’t digested it yet . I am humbled by the time you took to understand my situation and then reply with such empathy. Adding practical advice and snippets of your own experience is so helpful on my end of things. I will watch the video and reply . Can I ask a favour ? Bug me if I haven’t replied within a week .. I’m having trouble applying myself to things with all that’s going on incl a brew of meds that I’m sure helped at one point , but now contribute to lack of motivation and brain fog as it’s called. I’m so far from the person I used to be . I will be in touch .

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@alh123 Hello, I am truly sorry for all you have gone through. Twelve years is a long time, you must be exhausted. I understand the myriad of emotions and stressors chronic symptoms and pain creates. I lived it and finally came to the conclusion that I was worth more than my chronic situations were allowing me to be. As a person, my identity had been lost. My family suffered from it as well. We may not be able to change our circumstance, but we can change our response to it. Life can be better by understanding how to manage our physical, emotional, behavioral and chemical presence. You are worth investing in!

I committed to going to Mayo Clinic's outpatient 3 week pain rehab program because I absolutely found no other option suitable. Sure, I was in doubt of how I was actually going to physically get there, not to mention anxiety and all the other stuff that comes with living chronic for years and not getting the help I needed, or doctors knew how to give me. I mean come on, the Mayo Clinic, it's world renowned, and the program creator, Dr. Sletten, was in Florida running it. I found his video online and he spoke to me. The PRC program offered hope and a path forward, a plan in fact. PRC essentially gave me my life back and taught me more than I ever expected. I gain valuable life skills and perspective. I got stronger physically and slowly was able to get out of the debilitated state I was in. I also discontinued my use of hydrocodone, multiple migraine meds, nausea meds, medical marijuana. With hard work, dedication and commitment, I have become a new, healthier version of myself. I learned how to say goodbye to that miserable, toxic time in my life and forged ahead with a plan and tools that give me stability, empowerment and internal fortitude.

I heard you say, "I'm not really capable" and that made me sad. I understand why you feel that way. I almost backed out of going to rehab at the last minute with that very thought. I had not believed in myself or my abilities physically or mentally. My emotions were tanked and my behavioral pattern was toxic, hence why I need to go. I ended up having to remind myself that I was not dead and this was not gong to kill me. I used disabled children as my inspiration, military vets, and any other motivating factor to tell myself that I was strong enough to make it happen and it was going to make me stronger. And stronger it did make me. It was the hardest, but BEST and most REWARDING thing I have ever done in my life.

I wanted to share this with you because I believe in hope, and I hope that you believe in yourself enough to seek opportunity no matter how hard it may be.

Here is the video I mentioned from Mayo's Dr. Sletten. He discusses Central Sensitization Syndrome which helps to explain chronic pain and conditions. You may find it helpful.

And here is information about Mayo's Pain Rehab Center in case you are not fully familiar:

- https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/pain-rehabilitation-center/sections/overview/ovc-20481691

Sorry if I went on, I get a little passionate about helping others. I realize you are looking for a residential rehab center, unfortunately, I am unaware of any. PRC offers the multidisciplinary approach you are looking for and is a very disciplined approach to what you are looking for. I hope you will reconsider. I am here if you have any questions and am happy to help. Do you mind letting me know your thoughts on the video?

Keep your chin up! I respect that you know what you are looking for and have your finger on the pulse of understanding what needs to be done to better your path forward. Keep hope alive, my friend.

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So I have looked more into the mayo clinic program and I watched the video. Thank you very much for that. I am well-versed in centralized pain theory , so it was more valuable in terms of what the Dr was like and also hints at how the program approaches things . It certainly sounds like it’s the right thing for me. I was curious about your remarks particularly regarding Dr. Sletten and your choice of the Florida program. I noticed there’s also programs in Rochester and in Arizona. talking to patients and staff ,did you get an idea of whether all these programs are entirely equal in terms of their emphasis or would there be a specific team or place that would suit someone like me a little more.? I am the classic severely deconditioned chronic pain patient at the end of their rope as he says. I am functioning at a very low level and have very poor quality of life . So nothing unique there . The only thing that might make me different is that I do come from a fairly recent medical background and have a lot of experience treating acute pain but also chronic pain patients in times of crisis in the emergency department. I guess they would tell me at the intake process whether there would be a setting or team more appropriate for me,
Anyway I certainly to understand the basic program they offer . it looks excellent and it’s so great it has helped you so much . I need to look into and compare the different programs and their cost, as coming in from Canada with no insurance makes it a big deal on a fixed income. I’d also be interested in your thoughts about how this compares to some of the other programs available Eg the Cleveland clinic and some of the expensive residential programs that are online .
Thanks , in advance .

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So I have looked more into the mayo clinic program and I watched the video. Thank you very much for that. I am well-versed in centralized pain theory , so it was more valuable in terms of what the Dr was like and also hints at how the program approaches things . It certainly sounds like it’s the right thing for me. I was curious about your remarks particularly regarding Dr. Sletten and your choice of the Florida program. I noticed there’s also programs in Rochester and in Arizona. talking to patients and staff ,did you get an idea of whether all these programs are entirely equal in terms of their emphasis or would there be a specific team or place that would suit someone like me a little more.? I am the classic severely deconditioned chronic pain patient at the end of their rope as he says. I am functioning at a very low level and have very poor quality of life . So nothing unique there . The only thing that might make me different is that I do come from a fairly recent medical background and have a lot of experience treating acute pain but also chronic pain patients in times of crisis in the emergency department. I guess they would tell me at the intake process whether there would be a setting or team more appropriate for me,
Anyway I certainly to understand the basic program they offer . it looks excellent and it’s so great it has helped you so much . I need to look into and compare the different programs and their cost, as coming in from Canada with no insurance makes it a big deal on a fixed income. I’d also be interested in your thoughts about how this compares to some of the other programs available Eg the Cleveland clinic and some of the expensive residential programs that are online .
Thanks , in advance .

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@alh123 I'm glad you've looked in to PRC more and feel it may be a fit for you. I understand your insurance concerns and about traveling from Canada.

For me, it was between Florida and Minnesota as they were each a few hour flight to get to from New York. I preferred Florida because Dr. Sletten himself was there and quite simply I'm a more of a tropical kind of girl!

I reached out to Erica Torres, Program Admissions Coordinator at the Florida campus and was advised that the education provided at all 3 campuses is the same however, the locations vary by enrollment/group structure and facilitation of groups. I recommend reaching out first and foremost to understand cost, insurance, etc... that is a pretty big detail.

Here is contact information:

Rachel Harris | Coordinator – Pain Rehabilitation Center | Mayo Clinic 5777 East Mayo Blvd Phoenix, AZ 85054 |Phone: 480-342-6240

Peg Dokken RN
Admission Coordinator
Mayo Clinic Rochester
Pediatric Pain Rehabilitation Center
507-255-1918

Erica Torres MSN RN
Program Admissions Coordinator
FLA Mayo Pain Rehabilitation Program
904-956-1780

I'm sorry, but I do not have any knowledge of Cleveland Clinic or any other pain rehab programs. I initially applied to be medically evaluated at Mayo because they were the best of the best, however was denied. Basically, my conditions were not further treatable and could be handled in my local area. That was a bit of an ah hah moment which lead me to Dr. Sletten's video. My own common sense and assessment of my symptoms, medications, emotions, behaviors and physical deconditioning, lead me to believe Mayo's PRC was the best rehabilitation center for me.

If you decide that you want to apply directly to Mayo Clinic, here is a link:

- http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

There's a lot to think about, but I assure you that dealing with the Mayo Clinic is super easy! Everyone I spoke with on the phone, met in person and worked with at PRC were amazingly helpful and accommodating. I encourage you to reach out.

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Thank you very much for taking the time to look this up for me . I will do as you say , a question I had was what do mean by being denied a medical evaluation ? I presume u were looking for further treatment options ….is it an online thing or something you go to physically ? I sort of thought by looking at the pain program that the treatment side of things was part of the program, or if they think there is a therapy that might help , is it an entire different program on its own . Eg SCS ?
Last Q. What kind of place did you stay in ? The mayo site mentions their own places that are close by and have shuttles . I’m not well enough to drive or live in a hotel , doing my own cooking , laundry unfortunately . I will , of course , ask them myself, but just wondered what your experience was .
Thanks again for your help.

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I have been to 2 pain clinics. The first one was a 2 week in hospital. That was years ago for Interstitial Cystitis. It was very complete. I had been suffering with extreme bladder pain, most by the damage they did to me as treatment. Using acid infusions to burn the lining out of my bladder and other tortures.
It was hard to let go of all the stress, but the volunteer mentor for each person was a pain clinic veteran. They started with guided imagery sessions that were very good. The tools used are learning how to do relaxation techniques, self hypnosis and meditation. Exercise and talk therapy included. Their were no drugs involved. Afterward I did 3, 1/2 hour meditations sessions everyday for 3 years. I am a controlling person, but did learn the techniques. There is no instant relief, but you can feel the results of the pain/brain connection being effected. Your unconscious brain can do amazing things. If you can make that connection and tell it what you want for your reality it can take you there.
I had had every possible treatment for my bladder, stretching, burning, DSMO instillation, tens machine and finally the doctor telling me I had to many ulcers to laser and I can do nothing for you. Every person has different outcomes. I could not take any pain meds.
11 years ago I had a new medical problem develop. I went to another pain clinic that was different, but based on the same principles. It was 1 week. It got me back into the mind/Body connection. But I needed medical help and 6 Gastroenterologists told me I had IBD and basically said goodbye. It was called pelvic floor dysfunction. Then 2 years of PT that was specifically for that. 1 Year of nerve blocks. Been to Davis, Stanford with no help. 2 years ago another doctor did a celiac test. Yes I have Celiac Disease. None of the Gastroenterologist knew about the Celiac autoimmune disease. I am now dealing with GF eating, but still have symptoms. Also a damaged body living in a state of malnutrition for 72 years.
The first clinic was the most complete and that is what I would look for. Most large Medical Hospitals have them. Also there are private ones. Go for those medical affiliated ones. The internet now is a great source. Most insurance will not pay, so it is very expensive.
If you believe you have everything in your body to make positive medical changes then go to a pain clinic.

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