Anyone had a successful experience w/ Mayo Pain Rehabilitation Center?

I would be very interested! Thank you for this post. I'm in for a long painful recovery from complex posterior surgical surgery (laminotomies and foraminotomies, etc.

Hi all @kmdenton33, @chrisanon, @stindell

As promised...

PRC Family Day video Week 1:

Hi there @stindell, how are things going for you this week?

I went through it but it was not the right thing for me. They tried to get me to do things that actually caused me more pain (pushing through different exercise). I have Myalgic Encephalomyalitis, similar to CFS but encompases a lot more, like PEM (Post Exertional Malaise) so we are taught NOT to push through, rather to PACE, which works better for me. I do still have to take pain meds sometimes.
People were nice, just not the best thing for me.

You are absolutely right!!! The Mayo Clinic diagnosis me with FMD which I do not have!!! and wanted me to go into their program and of course I refused. I finally got diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.
It’s ashamed that your parents went along with the Mayo facility and not to continue to look for help for you.
Dr. Hsu is the best in the Country. So glad you were able to get the help you needed.
How are you doing today?

Has anyone gone to the Mayo PRC for Central sensitization syndrome and had success or found it not useful? If so, which one? I do not take prescription pain relievers, so I am not sure that this program would help. I have dysautonomia, PPPD and chronic fatigue. I have not found a medication to control the episodes from this. In fact, all medications and supplements I have tried have amplified the symptoms or had no results. It is a huge commitment both in money and time to go to the PRC. I would appreciate knowing about any experiences and which one.

Hello @nanacarol,

I combined your discussion on the Pain Rehab Clinic with an existing discussion of the same topic:

"Anyone had a successful experience w/ Mayo Pain Rehabilitation Center?"
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/has-anyone-successful-experience-with-mayo-pain-rehabilitation-center/

Here you can meet members who have asked about the pain rehab clinic and also read through their experiences with the clinic as well. @rwinney has shared their experience with the program a handful of times in this discussion thread. @kmdenton33, @alh123, and @ldb all talked about the program in this thread as well and may have some updates to share as well.

The mayo doctor diagnosed me with CSS. He did not do further tests. Afterwards I saw a neurologist through honor health who diagnosed me with Pots and I most likely have long covid which gives me PEM (post extertion malaise) which causes me pain) I very well could have CSS but this to me is a diagnosis without getting to the root of the problem and what is causing the pain to begin with.

@kmdenton33 and that there lies the problem - getting to the root of the problem. I'm sorry you're having these challenges and a mixture of diagnosis. I've been there and I'm still there because I have a CSS. I felt the same way I just wanted to get to the root of the problem which is exactly what I did when I went to Mayo pain Rehab Center. It doesn't always make sense at first but once you sit through the scientific explanations and the Dr's. really break it down you'll start to understand that CSS is an umbrella term over various diagnosis such as POTS, etc... affecting the central and peripheral nervous systems.

Are you interested in learning more about CSS?

@nanacarol13 Hi there. Yes, I graduated the PRC coming up on 6 years the end of the month. Best thing I ever did for myself because it gave me a blueprint of how to live with the cards I've been dealt.

You are absolutely right it is a huge commitment both time and money and only you know if it's worth it. I guess it's about how desperate are you to help yourself have better quality of life? It's a big commitment one that you really have to buy into and be open-minded about learning new ways of coping, strategizing and understanding that physical fitness is a must. Cognitive behavioral therapy was a huge part of the program and for me was very eye-opening in a good way . The program moderates and although it's not designed specifically to each person, each person's levels are taken into consideration for the overall picture. If you have no meds to get off then you're that much farther ahead of the game! Good for you.

What are your thoughts? Does the program intimidate you based on the structure of it or do you think it's just not enough bang for the buck?