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Mayo Pain Rehab Program: Signing off and my comeback afterwards

Posted by Rachel, Volunteer Mentor @rwinney, Oct 5, 2020

Hello to all my friends on Connect. Today I began the pain rehabilitation program. It was advised that I sign off for now and work on myself exclusively. My best wishes to each and every one of you while I'm away. It is my hope that once I have completed the program and return, I am able to share positive experiences to help all of you in some way, shape or form.
Rachel

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.

Mentor
Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | Sep 28, 2021
In reply to @mcd123 "I looked into the program and saw it cost in excess of $40,000 plus lodging and..." + (show)
@mcd123

I looked into the program and saw it cost in excess of $40,000 plus lodging and food. I am retired and have no access to that kind of money. I am happy you are better. Thank you for your kind reply. I have not heard from,the pain management Dr yet. I really think it hopeless and like you will,just have to live with it...

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Yes, it is expensive. Are you by chance on Medicare or Medicaid?

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1 reply
mcd123 | @mcd123 | Sep 28, 2021
In reply to @rwinney "Yes, it is expensive. Are you by chance on Medicare or Medicaid?" + (show)
@rwinney

Yes, it is expensive. Are you by chance on Medicare or Medicaid?

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Yes. I have Medicare and a supplement.

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1 reply
jetsetter | @jetsetter | Sep 29, 2021
In reply to @rwinney "Hi there @mcd. I appreciate you inquiring as to how PRC has helped me. I'm not..." + (show)
@rwinney

Hi there @mcd. I appreciate you inquiring as to how PRC has helped me. I'm not sure if you have scrolled back through this thread, but I have shared a good amount of information about my journey and how it has helped me.

Presently, I am in a much better place with my chronic issues based upon learning. I opened myself to learn as much as possible about my condition and how to live with it, embrace it and properly work with it. PRC taught me the science behind my conditions, helped me omit opiates and other non helpful medications, provided me cognitive behavioral therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy. This enabled me to know how to properly work with my body and mind for the best possible outcome.

I value my new found daily structure, planning and moderation. I learned how to eat healthier and sleep healthier too! All of this helps greatly when living with chronic pain and symptoms. I pull from my PRC tool box, my manuals, and private support group. On difficult days, I follow my difficult day planning learned at PRC. I am grateful to no longer receive injections, multiple pills, infusions, etc... I am grateful to no longer Dr. hop looking for cures and fixes. All of this intensified my central nervous system and exacerbated my symptoms.

I want nothing more than to help others from my experiences. Realizing and accepting chronic issues verses acute, means coming to terms with the fact that "hurt does not equal harm". This is a big step in controlling the mind which helps control the symptoms.

Unfortunately, chronic pain never goes away but, is can be quieted, calmed and managed. The key is to do your best in controlling it, not letting it control you. When focusing on the things we do have, and the things we can do, gives us power. It's not easy, but it can be done.

I'm very sorry to read of your neurological symptoms and discomforts and understand your frustrations and pain. How may I help you further? Have you scheduled your pain management visit yet? I look forward to hearing from you.

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I am glad to hear about this program. I will look into it, but we all need to accept that not everything can be “fixed”, and we have to learn to live with what we have been dealt.

Thank you for sharing your approach and positive attitude towards your pain management.

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Mentor
Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | Sep 29, 2021
In reply to @mcd123 "Yes. I have Medicare and a supplement." + (show)
@mcd123

Yes. I have Medicare and a supplement.

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Medicare is accepted at Mayo. If you think PRC would be beneficial for you, please don't give up without exhausting all possibilities. There are ways to think outside of the box that may be advantageous.

Which of Mayo's 3 locations are closest to you, Minnesota, Arizona, or Florida?

Do you currently have out of network insurance coverage through your supplement plan?

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Mentor
Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | Sep 29, 2021
In reply to @jetsetter "I am glad to hear about this program. I will look into it, but we all..." + (show)
@jetsetter

I am glad to hear about this program. I will look into it, but we all need to accept that not everything can be “fixed”, and we have to learn to live with what we have been dealt.

Thank you for sharing your approach and positive attitude towards your pain management.

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Hello @jetsetter! You're welcome, and thank you for your positive feedback. Mayo's pain rehab does exactly that. They can't fix it per say, but they provide the foundation that may be hard to come by or figure out for some folks.

I'm happy you are looking into the program. I'm here if you have any questions. Stay positive, that's half the battle.

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jetsetter | @jetsetter | Oct 1, 2021

You are so right about a positive attitude. I tried to get into Mayo in Jacksonville for spine issues but they told me they are over a year out on appointments and wouldn’t take any more inquiries.

I am seeing a pain management doctor in a week. We shall see what he says about my neck/back pain issues.

Thanks again, so nice to have real people to discuss these issues with.

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3 replies
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Oct 1, 2021
In reply to @jetsetter "You are so right about a positive attitude. I tried to get into Mayo in Jacksonville..." + (show)
@jetsetter

You are so right about a positive attitude. I tried to get into Mayo in Jacksonville for spine issues but they told me they are over a year out on appointments and wouldn’t take any more inquiries.

I am seeing a pain management doctor in a week. We shall see what he says about my neck/back pain issues.

Thanks again, so nice to have real people to discuss these issues with.

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My local pain management doc put me in touch with a very special therapist, who combines PT, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, stretching and movement to deal with chronic pain. You are right, life is not perfect (and arthritis continues to bedevil my whole body) but now I have a wide variety of coping strategies in my toolbox - none of which is a narcotic. And I always have the option of Mayo's Pain Rehab if we get beyond what I have already learned.
Sue

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Mentor
Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | Oct 1, 2021
In reply to @jetsetter "You are so right about a positive attitude. I tried to get into Mayo in Jacksonville..." + (show)
@jetsetter

You are so right about a positive attitude. I tried to get into Mayo in Jacksonville for spine issues but they told me they are over a year out on appointments and wouldn’t take any more inquiries.

I am seeing a pain management doctor in a week. We shall see what he says about my neck/back pain issues.

Thanks again, so nice to have real people to discuss these issues with.

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Thank you! It's nice to have you join us, and the conversation, with such a positive outlook...it's contagious you know.

Outside of Mayo Clinic Pain Rehabilitation Center, my experience with pain management has been options of needles, medication, injections, and implants. This approach is like placing a Band-Aid on chronic pain... temporary. I understand trying it, I certainly did for 2 years with great hope. It did not work well enough, it made me keep coming back for more, and it also began intensifying my pain, hence Central Sensitization Syndrome (CSS).

CSS is when the central nervous system has become upregulated and chronic pain and symptoms occur. Pain stems from our brain which is our body's computer. As the body is entered via surgeries, implants, injections, it adds to already sensitive sensors becoming oversensitized and can intensify pain. Our brain benefits most from retraining, similar to rewiring a computer.

All in all, taking a different approach to pain management through a program like Mayo PRC can be life changing.

Good luck with your upcoming appointment. Be your best advocate by having knowledge, asking questions, and doing what you think is best for you. I wish you the best. Will you keep me posted on your progress?

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Mentor
Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | Oct 1, 2021
In reply to @sueinmn "My local pain management doc put me in touch with a very special therapist, who combines..." + (show)
@sueinmn

My local pain management doc put me in touch with a very special therapist, who combines PT, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, stretching and movement to deal with chronic pain. You are right, life is not perfect (and arthritis continues to bedevil my whole body) but now I have a wide variety of coping strategies in my toolbox - none of which is a narcotic. And I always have the option of Mayo's Pain Rehab if we get beyond what I have already learned.
Sue

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This is great Sue! It pays off to find the right approach and program. I'm glad you found your tool box of coping strategies, and most importantly, narcotic free! Good for you.

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Mentor
Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | Oct 1, 2021
In reply to @jetsetter "You are so right about a positive attitude. I tried to get into Mayo in Jacksonville..." + (show)
@jetsetter

You are so right about a positive attitude. I tried to get into Mayo in Jacksonville for spine issues but they told me they are over a year out on appointments and wouldn’t take any more inquiries.

I am seeing a pain management doctor in a week. We shall see what he says about my neck/back pain issues.

Thanks again, so nice to have real people to discuss these issues with.

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Here is a helpful, quick video for anyone seeking to understand chronic pain.

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