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Pain Rehabilitation Program

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Posted 6/6/2015 12:51 PM (GMT 0)
A friend of mine who was also diagnosed with fibromyalgia recently enrolled in the Pain Rehabilitation Program at Mayo Clinic. There are a two-day program and three-week program you can choose from, and she really liked the three-week one. Has anyone else enrolled in this program? If so, what is your opinion about it? I know the cost of medical care in the U.S. is ridiculously expensive even with a health insurance, so I'm curious to know how much one has to pay for the program. (My friend didn't mention it as her parents paid for her.) If it is really worth it, I'd save up money to fly to the U.S. to enroll in the program, but it seems you can't even make an appointment yourself. Hmmm....

Does anyone know any other good pain rehabilitation programs anywhere else?
Posted 6/6/2015 7:28 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for posting this, senikintsu. I wonder if the program included prescribed medication?

I have been seeing a PT doctor who is working with my tight pelvic muscles. She believes fibromyalgia can be triggered by tight pelvic muscles and she thinks at least 70 percent of women have this issue.
Posted 6/14/2015 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, almost medfree!

I don't know if the program includes prescribed medication. I will look into it as well.

I recently found out that Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio and Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska has a similar program. It seems that you don't need a doctor to refer you to the Nebraska one. I'm sure there are more in the U.S. but I focused on the Midwest areas as I have lived there.

I am curious to know if there are any similar programs in Europe....

Post Edited (senikintsu) : 6/19/2015 7:31:36 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/14/2015 12:03 PM (GMT 0)
I'm waiting to hear back from the Mayo Clinic now. My pcp set me up for the two day program. Its taking forever to get in. I'll post about my experience when I finally get in, hopefully soon.

Kelvin
Posted 6/14/2015 6:14 PM (GMT 0)
I would really like to hear about that. I was looking at the Cleveland Clinic one as it is closer to home for me. I would love to know if you find it helpful.
Posted 6/14/2015 6:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi MNFibro,
If you don't mind sharing, I'd like more info on the program. Does insurance cover any costs, Is it an inpatient or outpatient program, What diagnoses did your pcp refer you for? Anything else you know about the program or how to get in the program would be so helpful.
Thank you.
Posted 6/14/2015 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Nightngale,

My doctor diagnosed me with Fibromylgia to get me in. It is an all day program, but outpatient. Insurance will pay for some of it. I know you do need a referral to get in. I hope you find this info helpful. Feel free to ask me any other questions and I'll do my best to answer. I'm from MN so it's only about 4 hours from me.

Kelvin
Posted 6/15/2015 3:49 AM (GMT 0)
MN Fibro - I'm in WI, prob about same distance as you. Did you have to go there for an assessment, or was the referral enough? And how long are they scheduling out for? Thanks for the info.
Posted 6/15/2015 12:46 PM (GMT 0)
Good Morning nightngal

A referral was enough. They do require that a series of tests be done before you go there. (mostly blood tests) I'm not sure on the scheduling. I'm on a "wait until the call status right now". I think I'll try to call the clinic this week and see where I'm at on the list.

Kelvin
Posted 6/20/2015 1:39 AM (GMT 0)
MNFibro,

I'm just curious to know, but is your doctor who diagnosed you with fibro a rheumatologist? You are lucky that you got diagnosed with fibro and referred to the program.

The Mayo Clinic one seems pretty popular, but I wonder what makes one pain rehabilitation program better than the other. Any idea?
Posted 6/21/2015 5:27 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Peers
I found this link containing what the Mayo Clinic Rehab Program consists of: http://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/physical-medicine-rehabilitation/minnesota/pain-rehabilitation-center/overview/core-components
I think this is a great jump start if one can handle all the different aspects of change at one time. It is mostly aimed at stopping pain meds and using stretching, relaxing, poetical correctness, accomadations for better work habits and addressing sleep. All this is positive and has empirical evidence as blanket help for all chronic conditions, not just pain.
Group support is always helpful. My only question is despite their offer of aftercare, what happens once you leave and group members are no longer physically there for you? In programs that use Peer support as a main focal point the success is in going weekly or daily to form bonds w others. I am not saying don't go;are there any local groups in your area? Can you bring in Biofeedback trainers or a program like Heartmath? Stretch together, and more.
I find power in positive people in my area and for me, worry that I would start to stop what I was taught after leaving. I bring all this up as I am sure it is expensive. I also know that these are all valuable tools but everyone reacts differently. It may not be a one stop cure.
Let me know how this works for all of you
Curious
Posted 8/23/2015 3:50 AM (GMT 0)

Inspiration? said...
My only question is despite their offer of aftercare, what happens once you leave and group members are no longer physically there for you?


You have a good question; now I wonder what happens after the program is over, too.

By the way, I sent an e-mail to Nebraska Medical Center and asked about the cost of their pain management program. This is the answer I got:

Pain Program Admissions Coordinator said...
Regarding your questions on the cost of the program, the evaluation is approximately $1,400 and the program is approximately $20,000. These are estimated charges only as services vary per patient.


Only evaluation itself costs approximately $1,400... Seriously? Is this only for wealthy people or something?
Posted 8/23/2015 4:18 AM (GMT 0)
Hmmm, thinking that evaluation probably involves a fair amount of testing..

A clinic about an hour and a half from me runs a program, but my physical therapist said people go and spend 10,000 and still come back to him for help.the clinic throws everything at it..antivirals, hormones, supplements...etc..and of course d ribose.

All i know for sure is that we could all use some pain rehabilitation,

But i get as much from self help measures, as my professionals

Having said that : ) its been a while and i miss acupuncture, and may begin a short stent of that again soon..

However , if you can afford pain rehab..i would go..it feels good to just know you are moving forward, taking steps to improve.

Would love to hear about anyones experience with this !
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