Any experience with Residential Chronic Pain Treatment Programs?

I’ve just seen a little bit online . Do you know anymore about the John Hopkins program?

@alh123 Concern for a comprehensive plan upon returning home is valid. I was concerned also when I went to Mayo Pain Rehab but I assure you that they provide program manuals that cover every detail of what you learn in 3 weeks from exercise and nutrition, to cognitive behavioral therapy and occupational therapy, and so much more. You create difficult day plans and weekend plans. You go home with a 2 week plan to help you get started. There is email access thru the PRC portal to reach out to nurses, doctors, and physical and occupational therapists for further guidance and support. Also, there is a private PRC Facebook group that follows Mayo PRC guidelines and is a wonderful supportive, inspirational group. Self-regulation and self-correction tools learned along with what family and friends learn through the family day meetings each week, are all part of the comprehensive plan and support system. Mayo Clinic does a phenomenal job at leaving no stone unturned. I'm not familiar with other pain rehabilitation programs, but these are all of things I'd make sure they offer if I went to one.

we had been trying to follow the new department; neurogastroenterology but people applied so quickly that they are not taking applications at this time. not sure if this is the one you found of interest

Haven't had mush help w/ the pain mgt offered at several major hospitals and MDs. None have been successful. Now trying the spinal stimulator which I will tesst for the next week so. So far, no major relief.

Sorry to take a while to reply .thanks for,your thoughtful answer.

I started this thread looking for Chronic pain programs especially residential ones . Thanks to several people incl moderators , I have a good feel for what happens at the Mayo one. I may end up applying there , but am just asking once more for anyone with experience actually going to a Chronic Pain Rehab program . I don’t mean a diagnostic or treatment clinic . Other than the well known ones at Mayo , Cleveland Clinic and John Hopkins , there are also so-called luxury rehabs that are alcohol and drug rehabs with a chronic pain program as well. One such facility is Sierra Tuscon in Arizona and there are others .
So I’m looking for anyone with experience in any one of these type of programs. I’ve even found what looks like a very comprehensive one in Bath, England, so they are everywhere , it’s just a matter of finding the right fit .
Thanks

Great video . Thanks for sharing it . Is it really true that all types of chronic pain end up going down the same common pathway in terms of treatment in a program like this ?
I have a very “ peripheral “ pain diagnosis ie a post surgical saphenous nerve neuralgia. It has put me in the classic chronic pain disaster mode described in the video but by the central / peripheral pain model , my pain is mainly peripheral . The reason is that a specific nerve in my leg can be tapped / touched / stretched etc to cause my pain , plus it can be completely blocked with 5 cc of local anesthetic . Cruelly , after 11 years , they still can’t turn it off .
So despite this peripheral nature of my pain , does the fact that I still must have some central component , put me in the same boat with every other chronic pain patient …ie im not special , you’ve seen it before ?

I honestly sat in pain rehab class and wondered the same thing. Do all types of chronic pain end up going down the same common pathway in terms of a treatment program?

In class we are advised to not talk about our symptoms with each other privately or in class as it's a pain behavior. You never figure out completely why each person is there. You might pick up on little hints through questions a person asks in class, but by the end of the program, you realize that we are all pretty much in the same boat.

My take away was that Mayo's pain rehabilitation is not rocket science and really does apply to people suffering from a variety of causes and chronic symptoms. Granted each person may not check every symptom box on the diagram of central and peripheral systems, but chronic is described as lasting for 3 months or longer, pain that can come and go, and be anywhere in your body. Because chronic can lead to stress, anxiety, depression and trouble sleeping, it can make pain worse. This leads to the cycle of pain which is difficult to break. Failed treatments, emotional distress and deconditioning are among important criteria of acceptance at PRC.

I am not medically trained and am no expert, but do believe that yes you most likely do have some central component and are in the same boat. In fact Dr. Sletten reminds us in class that we are all unique, but noone is special.

I hope this helps to answer your question. You're welcome for the video. You are doing a great job of advocating for yourself by researching options and opportunities. Thank you for posting about your findings in Arizona, and England too! I'm sure it will be helpful to others in their quest. Keep up the good job. Will you update me on any final decisions you make?

Rachel ,I notice that you are a volunteer mentor as well as a graduate of the PRC.
What is the role of a mentor in this context? Help in coordinating and directing the general conversation or individual help for people such as myself who are considering a jump into an evaluation and application?
I do have questions about the PRC process …some are about nuts and bolts , some about process and some about $$ .
I have the phone numbers of Rachel in Phoenix and Erica in Fl . Where best am I directed ? Demographically , I’m a 62 yr old male , ex Emerg Physician and type A personality ,still pretty bitter and twisted at the random circumstance that has landed me at the bottom of the chronic pain cycle of misery having been at the top of my game before a tiny little sensory nerve got tweaked during a routine ACL repair . Fickle finger of fate , indeed . As you say in the video ,I’m guessing I’m not special and you’ve seen it all before . Guess I have to tuck all that away somehow to succeed in your program …sounds very difficult.

@alh123 A mentor's role is to welcome members and encourage conversation through compassion, sharing and caring. This may be done through personal experience, reputable resources, or by connecting members with similar situations or locating prior conversations that may be impactful. Mentors are not medically trained. We do our best to share the knowledge and experience that we've gained along our journeys in hopes that other members join the conversations and support each other.

I started out like you, coming to Connect to seek information about my diagnosis. I found a caring, knowledgeable group of people in @colleenyoung, our Connect director, our moderators, mentors and members. While I was a member, I attended Mayo Clinic's Pain Rehab Center. When the time felt right for me, I had been asked to come back to Connect in a mentor role and share my personal journey and rehabilitation experience to help others. I wanted to pay it forward so here I am. 😊

I have no role in coordinating, but can offer you this application link for Mayo Clinic where you can be directed accordingly:

If you wish to directly contact either of the two numbers you mention, it's best to chose the location you'd most likely consider attending. Mayo staff is very helpful and friendly and will definitely get through the nuts and bolts of your questions.

Here is a discussion I began in 2020 prior to going to PRC. You may find some helpful info woven throughout:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/central-sensitization-please-share-your-stories/

And a more descriptive conversation about my experience with PRC:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-pain-rehabilitation-program/

Please know that I understand how you feel about the fickle finger of fate and the chronic pain cycle of misery. You are not alone my friend in this shock of a plot twist. As a matter of fact, us Type A's know each other quite well and the PRC is full of them because those are typically the type of people who can't accept no for an answer and drive ourselves out of our minds seeking perfection when there can't always be. Good luck with your phone calls. See if PRC makes logistical sense first then go from there. Keep hope alive!