In need of treatment, but can it be in Wisconsin

My response from the site I earned these badges and have no clue what they mean. I originally asked if the Wisconsin locations were affiliated with the Mayo clinic in Minnesota and if these Wisconsin locations are the same, can they do the testing the main hospital told me about. It would take 7 to 10 days of testing but I can't afford to stay in a hotel and the cost that go with that. The Wisconsin locations are less than 40 minutes away and would not need to stay in a hotel then

@toddgalbrecht Hello Todd. I understand your frustration. No one should be treated like that by medical professionals. I came to Mayo as a patient after several doctors would not help me, and it was a 5-hour drive for us, but well worth the effort. I had never experienced the quality of care and compassion before that I found at Mayo, and it changed my life.

Would an hour and a half drive be acceptable? I've driven to Mayo many times for spine surgery, ankle fracture surgery and follow ups. I drive through Lacrosse, and from there it is an hour to Rochester. One patient I was helping saw a spine specialist in Mankato, MN and there are some B & B's there that at that time had some reasonable rates. For testing such as neurology, the patient would be referred to the main Rochester campus which was within an hour or 45 min drive. Perhaps the Mayo Health System in Lacrosse may also refer to specialists in Rochester if that was needed. Do you have someone to come with you in case you don't feel well enough for the drive each day?

There may be some lower cost accommodations in Rochester run by organizations. The Concierge Service at Mayo can help find those. Not all patients qualify, and it may be based on the type of treatment you need at Mayo and the length of stay. They provide information about travel, lodging, Mayo Clinic and community resources to plan your visit. And it’s free. Perhaps this information could help with your decision.

Five Ways to Contact Mayo Concierge Services

Phone: 507-538-8438
Live Chat: https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide
Email: concierge@mayo.edu
Web form: https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/minnesota/becoming-a-patient/concierge-travel-services
In-person in Rochester MN: Lobby hours are 8:00-5:00 Monday through Friday. Offices are located in the International Center in the Mayo Mathew’s Lobby, Executive Lounge on Mayo 5, Radiation Oncology Lobby – Desk R

Regarding pain management, the Connect mentor, Rachel, that John told you about has really improved her life through the Mayo pain management training she attended. She is joyful and able to help others understand pain and lessen the level of pain she feels.

I had to overcome the fear of pain myself, and I learned that being afraid of pain and being upset actually increased the amount of pain I felt by a lot. There really is value in learning to cope with it, and you can gain some control by the way you think about it, and by unraveling the long history of pain in your life. I was driving my blood pressure up with my fear, and that was magnified because my dad was a heart patient and I didn't want that disease, yet in what I was doing to myself with stress, it could very easily put myself on that path. I didn't want to have spine surgery either, but I had the choice to either fix my spinal cord compression or become disabled, and thus began my journey to figure out why my fear of pain had such a grip on me.

Are you able to share what type of testing you need and what specialties in providers that you are looking for?

My husband goes to a pain clinic in Niagra Wi. The Dr has been there for over 20yrs. The staff has been wonderful. They have contacted him just to check on him. They don't make you feel like you are drug seeking. It has been a very possitive experiance. I wish you luck in your nightmare.

Thank you for your response. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your reply. I just want to live again get my pain under control again so my BP returns to normal and can have surgery to restore my vision and finish getting dentures.

They don't treat period my other UW doctor's have told me over and over that even with what is going on with the opioid problem, there are still patients who need this treatment and I am one of many. The UW pain clinic is to prescribe some really strong medication, but with all the half truth news media they went from case by case to nothing for everyone. My cousin was one of their patients after I recommended them and after stopping all treatments he blew his head off, a dear friend same thing and she hung herself to escape the pain. I know of others who got the illegal fentanyl and died from one pill. I have been dealing with pain since age 7 and now 60 and to strong willed to committ suicide.

Hey Todd, All of us here suffer from one thing or another have empathy for one another and have vented here. I hear you are suffering and wish you find help any way you can find it. What doesn't help us is blaming others even if they are wrong. Moving past the injury and those who don't understand is key to finding relief. I've heard the "you may have been in less pain if you died" before statement in a clinic I attended too, I too admit these are words that should not be said. However we need to look at the fact they are not denying your pain, thus acknowledging it! I have had many people tell me I should not be in this amount of pain and should be better by now. It is often a lifetime of pain. Pain management is not perfect, nor are anyone else, have forgiveness for those who lack understanding. You don't need to scream I feel i'm dying here, we hear you. But if it helps scream louder. If there is an folks that have understanding, it' s the ones in this connect. Kind regards

This sounds like you're expounding or you have embellished the things that were said, also comments of desperation. I can't believe anyone would ever say to you, "you don't deserve a quality of life" At least in the medical field. Complicated? I do believe that seeing someone about how you feel may help. Pain is telling you something is wrong, not that you're goin to die. Find the right doctor for what you need, that is important advice, and not someone giving up on you. Look at the positive things as hard as it may be. Be grateful for any help you can get. All the best to you!

@toddgalbrecht,

Todd, I saw one of your post that ended you are too strong willed for suicide. That is very good to hear, you are in fact strong, stronger than you know. Still the fact that you even mentioned it may be a sign you need help with depression for the pain, lost friends, and family. These losses are real and can trigger your pain. Sounds like the pain clinic had to stop giving out medications for legal issue. The good news is that many medications can work for a couple years that are not addicting as opioids and may treat for more than one condition. Cymbalta can be prescribed by a psychiatrist for depression and anxiety and have helped me with nerve pain from ribs as well. I was on it for over 6 years, eventually got off it. Drugs like that they may also use along with pain medication. Stay strong, get the help you deserve.

You are correct and want help with depression as part of my treatment. To have doctors give up on you, to have your quality of life destroyed and they don't care has had a negative effect on me and my wife of 40 years. Then to have them flat out lie about tests, saying there were no more surgeons at the UW Madison hospital that perfoms "First Rib Resections" and making me suffer for 8 years until my stay in the hospital in last August. That really hurt and cause some permanent nerve damage. I have been in pain for 53 years. After my 2nd back surgery I was told I could no longer work, said screw that and went back to school and obtained my BSME and graduated with honors and worked for 26 years as a Sr. Design Engineer until my health forced me to retire. Now if you tell you deal with serious pain you are automatically branded a drug addict. I have never tried tobacco, nor drugs, don't drink and have never abused medications. I do use music for relaxing and self hypnosis, walks, fishing and my photography which a newspaper did a full page article on me. Yet the UW pain clinic told us that I have to give up wanting a quality of life and give up all that gives me happiness.

Todd, I've scanned some of your posts and am choosing to reply here because I feel like I finally found a spot that I hopefully can make a positive impact. You've received many, many great, helpful, supportive, empathetic, encouraging replies. That's why you came to Connect, I'd imagine.

The way I see it is - YOU define what quality of life is. No one else, no hospital, no doctor. You become an active participant in your quality of life and care. Quality of life looks different for everyone. Yours may not be what you want or originally hoped for, but its your life to figure out and get over all the crap you don't like. We've all been there or are there now.

Here's a video by Mayo Clinic's Dr. Sletten about chronic pain and central sensitization. It's also about rehabilitation, and because you can't get to Mayo, I am attaching some valuable self-help info.

Dr. Christopher Sletten - Central Sensitization

My goodness, Todd, you CAN walk and fish, apparently. That's more than some children dying of cancer in our world can do. Appreciate what you CAN do. Relaxation with music is perfect. Walking, nature, the sun shining again after every storm. Find hope, find joy. Look for your positives! We are here to help you, but can't drain ourselves in doing so.

Please let me know if you'd like me to share more Mayo Clinic self-help videos with insight and tools from Dr. Sletten. I'd be glad to.

I hope you have a pleasant day, Todd.
Rachel