Hello everyone, welcome to Connect - @redhatter, @chesbeau, @sheld11004, @mayopam, @szucker99, @samz0429 and all -

My apologies for this being a group message and not addressing you each individually. I have read your posts. Thank you for sharing your chronic pain journeys, it's
not always easy to do. I'm very sorry for all that you're going through. For me it's a little difficult to read about so many chronic struggles that I relate to and have compassion for. I live with Central Sensitization Syndrome (CSS) which basically means my central and peripheral nervous systems are hypersensitive sending louder messages to my brain. CSS helps explain a lot about migraine, gut issues, neuropathy, sleep disorders, CRPS, etc...

As you folks navigate Connect, I'd like to throw some food for thought your way regarding CSS and pain management. For those who may not be aware, Mayo Clinic has a comprehensive Pain Rehabilitation Center (PRC) at all 3 of it's locations, MN, AZ and FL. I graduated the PRC almost 2 years ago with the tools I needed for pain management and self help. It was the most rewarding thing I have ever done for myself. Here's a link with information about the PRC:

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

Like some of you, I was on the merry-go-round of failed treatments, meds not doing enough anymore, and doctor after doctor. This is called the "Cycle of Pain" and it's hard to not get trapped in it. I didn't have a plan of how to manage all of my conditions physically or emotionally. Through research, I finally discovered the following video by Mayo Clinic's Dr. Sletten of the Pain Rehabilitation Center. He made sense of what I was going through and what I could do to help myself collectively. Take a look...

As you'll find, Dr. Sletten explains CSS and the science behind chronic pain and symptoms. He makes sense of the mind body connection and how it can be managed through a comprehensive plan that includes the 4 pillars of physical, emotional, behavioral and chemical.

I'm always curious what folks think about the video and look forward to hearing back from you. I'm happy to help or further elaborate on my experience with the PRC and pain management. Do you mind letting me know what you think? Did any parts of the video resonate or help you have a better understanding of your chronic symptoms or a new approach in managing them?