Posted 6/9/2015 3:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hello all :)
I'm curious if any of you have attended a pain management center where the focus is how to handle your pain daily and find other ways to cope. Mayo, Duke, and other research hospitals often have programs that last a few weeks-some inpatient/some outpatient-where your current treatment is evaluated, included pain meds. The goal is to leave the program on the lowest dose of meds possible, because you've been taught other coping skills. Other pain relief methods are also explored. I've discussed this possibility with some of my med team, and they recommend an inpatient program-mainy due to my medical situation.
As we all know, the longer we stay on pain meds, often a higher dose is needed. Since everything I have is degenerative, today(even though in pain), will probably better than a day 2 months from now. I currently receive PT 3x weekly and dry needling. I also have a TENS unit which is helpful.
The concern is the fact that I am relatively young, but I've had chronic pain since a young child. Things will become worse, and pain meds can only be increased so much. Surgeries and procedures are inevitable, which will also increase pain. Not to sound to bleak, but today is really as good as it might get. Also, with the gi and absorption issues, IV pain meds are becoming more necessary since nobody knows how much of a pill I actually absorb. The only place I want to use IV meds is while inpatient. Just don't like the thought of them at home, even by home health.
I try so hard to make this a mind over matter issue.
Have any of you participated in one of these programs? Typically they last a few weeks with daily sessions. I need more ways to convince my mind and body that pain which I might call a 6, is really a 3. My insurance will cover a program, but I'm curious to see if you guys have any input.
Here's a description of Mayo's program:
Three-week program
Staff at daily rounds in the PRC
Daily rounds in the PRC
The Pain Rehabilitation Center's three-week program is intended for adults whose chronic pain is a major health issue and who, because of pain, have experienced a significant decline in functional abilities and quality of life.
In the program, people learn pain management skills and techniques for physical reconditioning. Staff supervises medication changes, including withdrawal from pain medications that may no longer reduce pain or improve functioning.
An integrated team of health care professionals trained in many areas including pain medicine, physical therapy, psychology, pharmacology, occupational therapy, biofeedback and nursing cares for people in the three-week program.
The staff focuses on helping each person reach personal goals regarding the self-management of chronic pain. The program offers several core components to help people manage their pain.
The program is 17 days in length. This includes two days of pre-admission evaluation appointments and 15 days of therapy. The program length may be extended for people whose medication dosages are being reduced over time (medication taper).
Family programming is offered every Thursday and Friday for family members of adults in the program to learn how to support those with chronic pain and care for themselves.
The PRC also offers an aftercare program that helps adults who have participated in the three-week program to continue progress made during treatment.
A typical day
Patient using resistance training Patient using resistance training to increase strength.
The schedule below is an example of a typical day in the three-week program. The program uses a rolling admission, meaning that on any given day two or three people begin the program and two or three people complete it.
As a result, new people can learn and ask questions not only of staff but also of other people at various stages of program completion.
8 a.m. — Stretching
8:30 a.m. — Daily goal setting
9 a.m. — Stress management session
10 a.m. — Patient rounds
11 a.m. — Physical therapy
Noon — Lunch
1 p.m. — Pain management session
2 p.m. — Advanced relaxation
3 p.m. — Occupational therapy
4 p.m. — Pain management session