← Return to Mayo Clinic Pain Rehab Center (PRC) - What’s Your Experience?

Discussion

Mayo Clinic Pain Rehab Center (PRC) - What’s Your Experience?

Chronic Pain | Last Active: Aug 11, 2023 | Replies (113)
Comment receiving replies
@ldb

Greetings

We live 3 hours S
outh of Rochester Minn, so we make the trip up there frequently. I have been blessed with almost 14 years of relatively good health. The past 2 years, new challenges have come into play. My original spinal cord injury developed into Adhesive Arachnoiditis. Then in 2017, I was diagnosed with Central Sensisitation Syndrome which is now impacting all my sensory nerves. WOW. Walking and standing can be horribly painful, and I have lost 95# the past 2 years. Last month, we met with the resident expert at Mayo who deals with this. It is coming down to what I can do to manage the symptoms. You have to be a little hard headed, to keep pushing, but I will. Having another procedure at Rochester in late June, so we will see what they determine.

We have to keep moving and always take it 1 day at a time. As my doctor told me, "you have a forest of problems infront of you. We can only tackle one or two trees at a time." Live each day to its fullest and 1 day at a time. Never stop to count the bad days. Look with hope into every new day that God gives you. No one answer to surviving chronic conditions, other than looking for joy, peace and hope in each new day.

Jump to this post

Replies to "Greetings We live 3 hours S outh of Rochester Minn, so we make the trip up..."
Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | May 9, 2023

Good morning. It's very nice to hear your positive input despite falling on challenging times. As I was sitting here at my desk after finishing morning stretches, I was reminded that today was definitely easier than yesterday. Yesterday was a "Difficult Day", as we call them in the PRC. I used to panic over those days and cave, thus exacerbating pain. but now much like you, I now have confidence in myself and knowledge from the PRC to get through the DD's with grace, not always ease, but grace for myself.

Remember "Stable, Moderate, Flexible"? You have hurdles in front of you, but your mindset is what you bring to the table for managed success. One day at a time, one moment at a time, heck - even the next 5 minutes at a time when necessary.

I can't stress "Mindset" enough as being our Super Power. Keep on digging in your PRC tool box. You inspire others (including me) to have a positive outlook. Dr. Sletten from Florida's Mayo PRC program told us during class that we will be much better prepared in life for future events like surgeries, emotional battles with loss or change. PRC tools go with us through life and that is a true blessing.

As a matter of fact, I'm attaching Dr. Sletten's CSS video on chronic pain as a reminder and refresher. It's a good teaching moment for those interested in the program, but also re-enforcement for those of us who have been through the PRC and could use a little back up.

Dr. Christopher Sletten - Central Sensitization Syndrome:

Best of luck with your upcoming procedure. You have definitely got this, Larry. Sending positive, joyful vibes your way.

VIEW AND REPLY