[Arrietty]

Does anyone have experience with a pain control clinic?

Mayo offers a 3 week residential program, and my own PCP swears by it. I'm wondering if the beneficial results of going through such a program would justify being away from my hubby for that long - which would break my heart, but allow him to catch up on his sleep for a change.

Arrietty

[NurseNancy]

i once went to see a pain dr at a local rehab hosp. he sent me to their PT program which i did for a few months but it was out pt.

he also started me on some pain meds. it was a good program and helped me a lot. i was desperate from all the pain i was in and none of my other drs were not able (or didn't want) to help me concerning pain meds.

[Starznight]

Like Nurse, I've been dealing with out pt. Pain management. Which includes medication and sometimes PT and once getting the steroid injections (found out I was allergic to cortisol steroids so won't ever get another ) However, I almost wish I had a chance to do something like that.

I imagine like everyone else, I get by, resign myself to bad days and even terrible days, after all what else can you do? And when you go a few months between seeing the doctor sometimes things get on a downward spiral of snowball effects, just because last time you saw the doctor your pain wasn't too bad that day, and the time before it was horrible so the meds are bouncing all over the place. Then learning limits while meds are in fluctuation, eh forget about it.

But 3 weeks seems like an excellent evaluation period. Really giving the doctors and yourself a chance to see what your limits are, when are your highs and lows, probably even notices changes with the weather since high and low pressure systems are always out and about.

So I'm rather jealous , granted this is assuming you trust your doctors. I'm not sure how I'd feel if my neuro suggested something like that (not that I don't trust, she's just new still, we haven't learned each other quirks yet) but if my current pain mgmt doc told me of such a program I'd be jumping (figuratively) to sign up for it.

[Arrietty]

I just don't know how it would work for me. I need constant care, what with pain and spasticity. My hubby does that, but in my experience overworked nurses aren't nearly as attentive. I'd be too much of a burden on already stretched-thin staff.

[Starznight]

Do you believe their staff will be stretched thin? I've been reading up on the clinics, it's a fairly specialized program and not one that seems to take every Joe-Smo off the street. It doesn't seem like something that should be entered lightly true, and it does sound like it will take a lot of willpower, strength and support to get through it.

If you check here: http://www.mayoclinic.org/department...e-week-program

It lists a typical day, but with the disclaimer of few are typical if you read between the lines, especially since it's suppose to be tailored to your needs, not the needs of those on your floor as it goes when you admitted say after a surgery or for an illness. Then yes, they put you with other similar cases and ya'll get meds on the same schedule whether you need them sooner or later since it's 1-2 nurse covering half a wing.

This sounds a lot more like rehab, well okay it IS rehab, but sounds a lot more like the drug rehab (reputable club med type). You even get group therapy, at least at John Hopkins that outlines the program in a lot more detail than Mayo's site. But they're trying to find multiple tools for you to use to get you out of pain and how to nip the cycle in the butt when you overdo things or have a bad day.

Granted that's just from the sound of it. And even if I had gone to the Mayo in my neck of the woods, doesn't mean it would be the same wherever your at. Different strokes for different folks and all that. But I would strongly recommend asking for a tour before you commit. Meet the nurses, see how many appear to be running around, how many doctors/therapist, how many patients seem to be running around. Is it a flurry of activity, a sedate quiet place, or a mixture of both. If it's a mix do the two conflict with each other? And also don't forget to make a mental note of the average age of the nurses, are they all young and bubbly? Old and 'cranky/hazzled-looking'? Or does there seem to be a good mix of experience and fresh-faced youths and not to forget strong guys for unforeseen issues, or if nothing else eye-candy

While I haven't done inpatient PT or pain mgmt, I do still look at the facilities before going to any PT place, even one I've been to before. I want to make sure there is someone who can help if I get into trouble, not some 'gonna snap like a twig' teeny-bopper look-a-likes as the only people running around while I'm there. At the same time I don't relish flashbacks to my catholic school days with severe looking matriarchs growling at me with a 'I can snap YOU like a twig' stare. I'll take the rod and the cookie please, I need the mix, but that's just me. Too much of a pushover and I can't take them seriously, too much of the Drill Sargent and I can't stop at my limit but do exactly what they say no questions and start looking for the nearest confessional, to cry at priest over how much it hurts.

[dmplaura]

Saw 1 pain specialist. He evaluated/examined me for 4 hours, went through a bunch of questions & answers. He ended up prescribing me Nabilone which is the only medication that has even touched the type of pain I get.

(I had tried dozens of other medications - anti depressants, anti convulsants, narcotics - none worked, some highly addictive, most with a host of terrible side effects. The Nabilone on the other hand, I took daily for a long period, and then just stopped taking it all together, decided to try it "as needed" instead. No withdrawal, and works better for me being taken "as needed", go figure!)

Not saying it's the wonder drug for everyone, but it certainly has been for me.

[Arrietty]

Specifically, has anyone been through the program ay Mayo Minnesota? I'm wondering if it would be good for me.