Gabapentin and Cymbalta

I had hip replacement surgery last November and the peroneal nerve was damaged...have drop foot... Was on Gabapentin and it did not good for the pain. Neurologist switched me to Lyrica and I am going off it now as it's done no good... Was interested in your first video in that the presenter encourages people to get off drugs, which I am doing... I must wear a brace to walk and there's still considerable hip pain around the incision site. Wed. will have a CT scan...just to be sure there is nothing visibly wrong...

Oh, I'm sorry for your challenges. How long did you give Lyrica a try for? And Gabapentin? I understand the side effects some times dissuade folks from sticking it out to determine if benefit outweighs.

Has your hip otherwise healed from the surgery?

Tried each drug for 2 months each. No change in pain. Read a study showing Nortriptyline was the best in improvement regarding pain. Least effective was pregabalin at 15%... It is the pain in the hip itself at the site of the surgery that is so painful, and the footdrop causing me to have to walk with orthotics and a brace.

@gshfmb You're welcome. It's good to hear you're working with physical therapy. I hope they provide you help not only while working with them but to use at home when you work with yourself. "Motion is Lotion" as we say in Mayo Pain Rehab. The important key is to learn how to move appropriately.

I hear you about the island. It's not easy to pop into a Mayo Clinic. I flew from NY to FL and was blessed to have Medicare cover my whole 3-week pain rehab experience, however I incurred the expense of travel, hotel and meals.

Recently Connect was privy to have access to Dr. Sletten's Mayo PRC Family Day videos. Dr. Sletten is the director of the PRC in FL and breaks down concepts to the families of participants each of the 3 weeks they are there. The videos contain an inside peek of the principles and tools used for rehabilitation. I graduated the PRC almost 2 years ago and it was the hardest thing I've ever done, but most rewarding and life changing. My husband was able to learn about what I was experiencing in rehab each week so he could support and encourage me.

I'm happy to share the Week 1 video with you, and any other Connect member out there who is curious about Mayo PRC or who knows they can't get there but wants to pick Mayo's brain on how this program works. There is no shame in the game in learning or hearing about a plan you may be able to apply to your current situation, especially if its beneficial. Dr. Sletten explains the "Cycle of Pain" and the science behind "chronic". He educates on many factors and presents on how lifestyle changes can empower you. He's also kind of funny. Take a peek...

Mayo Clinic Pain Rehabilitation Center - Family Day Week 1:

If you, @gshfmb, or any other Connect member watches the Week 1 video and would like to see the following Week 2 and Week 3 please do not hesitate to let me know and I'd be happy to share. There are always ways each of us can continue to improve, even in pain. Keep your chin up, you're not alone.

I would love the videos.

@irishlady1974 Honestly, I feel that you are a prime candidate for the PRC. After a while, the rotation and merry go round of docs, specialists, meds and therapies wears on you physically, emotionally and behaviorally. It's called the cycle of pain and you're not alone in it. Living with daily chronic pain and symptoms exacerbates anxiety and depression, how can it not? Especially if you or doctors don't know how to treat the whole package as a team.

Dr. Sletten gives 3 key points about determining who is ready for the PRC or who may be a candidate:

1. Duration and effectiveness of treatments
2. Potential for push/crash
3. Emotional distress

These are questions to ask yourself and are further elaborated on in the videos.

Here is Family Day - Week 2:

I can tell you that the PRC is a comprehensive rehabilitation program that does treat mind and body, like you are hoping to learn more about. It's mind blowing in how they successfully pay attention to every little detail of how to teach, motivate and provide a plan for their participants. The fact that you are not doing it alone and have a group of peers going through it with you is empowering because they understand, and everyone lifts each other up. It was awe-inspiring, really, and well exceeded my expectations. I could go on and on about the program because it was life changing for me.

In case you haven't seen this yet, here is a Mayo Clinic link to the PRC:

Also, here's a direct link if you should decide to apply to Mayo Clinic and get the ball rolling:

Whether you think it's feasible for you to actually get to the Mayo Clinic PRC or not, I commend you for trying to learn and think outside of the box by watching the videos. Knowledge is definitely power! What is your main goal? To reduce medication use? To reduce the number of doctors or specialists? To have a self-managing plan?

Rachel,
Thank you for posting these videos. I hope you will post the third one soon. I've perused this site for many years finally joining in a search for answers. The information provided in these videos is the most helpful in understanding chronic pain. It would probably be very helpful if there was an online pain rehab program that the Mayo Clinic offered. I would like to hear from more people who went through the program.

Rachel,
Thank you for posting these videos. I hope you will post the third one soon. I've perused this site for many years finally joining in a search for answers. The information provided in these videos is the most helpful in understanding chronic pain. It would probably be very helpful if there was an online pain rehab program that the Mayo Clinic offered. I would like to hear from more people who went through the program.

Hi there @greenacres. You're very welcome. I know you're not new to Connect, or chronic symptoms and searching for a way to manage. Thanks so much for speaking up and showing interest in the PRC videos. I'm hoping there are many watchers out there who are gaining interest, knowledge and motivation to think outside of the medical world box.

Please find these links for PRC conversations, experiences, and tips:

Mayo PRC - What's Your Experience -
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-prc-whats-your-experience/

Anyone in or have been to the PRC -
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anyone-in-or-have-been-to-the-pain-rehab-clinic/

Mayo Pain Rehab Program - Signing Off and My Comeback After-
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-pain-rehabilitation-program/

As a PRC graduate, I'm protective of the videos as for years they have not been shared outside of the program and viewing ability was only for those who participated in the 3-week program. I'm proud to say that I advocated for material to share from PRC for those who need a jump start and a different approach to chronic pain management.

The interesting part of it is that these videos are just the tip of the iceberg. I stand by the fact that anyone who can get to one of the 3 Mayo Clinic 3-week PRC programs should 100% go. It's no walk in the park, and takes commitment, but very rewarding on every level.

I'll be sharing the 3rd video this week. In the meantime, @greenacres, will you please share some thoughts on the information presented by Dr. Sletten so far? What has been your biggest revelation or take away? What have you learned that you will implement in your pain management plan?

I play a supporting role for my husband who suffers from painful idiopathic neuropathy. We spent lot of time that took a toll on emotions going for testings and seeing what Sletten refers to as "ologists". I appreciated what he said about stopping that, accepting, changing behaviour patterns and practicing self regulation.
...and being a cheerleader not a coach.