Any experience with Residential Chronic Pain Treatment Programs?

One more thing . I think my experience is very unusual as the cases in the literature seem to indicate that if you have an obvious uncomplicated saph neuroma , the neurectomy will help

I too credit Mayo’s PRC to life changing habits. I was extremely reluctant to attend, thinking I knew all there was to know and do. But, as I was told, 3 weeks immersion in all the principles made the difference. I didn’t think I could sit all day and by the end of the program I could.

I am more aware of pain behavior and yes my old flare tools worked, but now I appreciated them more. The biofeedback instruction and results proved that I can help moderate my pain with relaxation and breathing.

I too reread some of the manual and exercises. My Mayo stretches done every morning during those three weeks have stayed with me. ( Although not as consistently!)
I cried early on in the sessions, because I was with kindred souls. It was hard, but toward the end you do see and feel the benefit. I have referred others and will continue to do so.

I had my last invasive pain procedure before the program and the skills I learned at Mayo have kept more of the same at bay.

I also have found some relief with self hypnosis which I have been doing since I injured my back over 40 years ago. Counting my blessings is another strategy that forces me to focus on the positive. But, all of these take work and when you are feeling shitty, it makes it just makes it so much harder to focus and they don't last long.
CBD/ THC gummies are a godsend but, for me, they are occasional. I wish the medical community trusted us more with opiods. When I know I have emergency pain meds,it comforts me....even if I don't take them everyday. Their mere presence is a help.

But, I ask myself why can't someone in the medical community listen. Why is it an all or nothing thing with pain medication for those that have suffered chronic pain for years? I took hydrocodone for 12 years 4 times a day and I did not have addiction issues when I stopped. And, I took heavy doses of oxycodone after lung cancer surgery.

The point is, for me, I need many strategies to find some relief from my pain. And,many could be available,but are not in this country, and generally, not at Mayo which is always my medical community of choice.

Thank you for listening to my rant!

Holly

Hi @dciddio, welcome to Connect. CONGRATULATIONS!! I'm so happy to hear PRC made a difference in the quality of your life, too. You hit the nail on the head, it is an immersion into the 3 weeks. I couldn't agree more that in the beginning, you question how the heck you're going to get through such a program, but by the end you feel a whole new sense of courage and motivation.

I'd like to introduce you to @kendra75 who will be attending Minnesota's PRC in February. Like all of us who've entered the program before, she has reservations and concerns. If you're up for it, would you be willing to offer some of your experience and advice for someone getting ready to begin PRC? In what ways did you feel supported while you were there?

Certainly!

@dciddio - Thanks so much for your willingness to share and help. By replying directly to my private message, and not on the community platform, only I can see your post. No worries though, I'm going to copy and paste your reply below and tag Kendra "@kendra75" so hopefully she will receive notification of the reply, or if her notifications aren't turned on, will check back in with conversations.

The lay of the land on Connect may be a little confusing at first. There are no mistakes, we all learn as we go. Feel free to ask for guidance if needed once you begin to navigate the site.

Below is your beautiful reply:

Greetings,
I wrote out a long message and somehow lost it so I’ll try again. The message I sent a few days ago has some more background and information.
Rachael asked if I would share how I felt supported at Mayo’s PRC program. I attended in Arizona back in 2018, so things may be different now.

While we didn’t discuss why we were there in detail, I felt close to the other participants. They helped me navigate the first few days and week and said you can actually see the weight lifted on the participants faces as time went on. They were right. The staff was always available to listen.

I was accommodated with some of my needs ( those determined not to be pain behaviors) like not sitting for long periods and standing instead. I brought a foot “ sling” to raise my feet of the ground. I didn’t need either one by the end of the 3 weeks.
The daily affirmations, schedule and goals were great and I had 3 weeks to get into the habit of that- I still utilize both. ( Maybe not daily…)

I believe I cried on my first day or so. Our director helped me to understand it was being really heard and among others who truly understood chronic pain. I felt as if I had “ come home”. And when I went home after the three weeks, I was a changed person.

Also helpful were the regular staff meetings with me to discuss my concerns and progress. I felt very much
“accompanied” in the journey by staff and residents. I was a long way from home, but it didn’t feel like it.

I was able to find accomodations at a local retreat center that provided meals as I needed them. I have stayed in touch with a woman who was also in residence there for a retreat. She loved hearing about all I learned from the lectures each day.

The testing and classroom exercises and lessons helped me to understand my emotional and psychological reactions to pain and conflict and what I needed in those situations. Learning about central sensitization was life changing.
It’s a very comprehensive and thorough program. I can not tell you how many times I have referred back to my notebook and notes since then.

I continue to travel to Mayo for various medical needs. My husband and I often say after my appointments “ Who ARE these people?” They all provide an exceptional level of care- PRC is the same.
I hope this helps. I can answer other questions if needed. 🙂