there was someone on this forum who, in the last year, went into a pain-management program but I don't remember her moniker.

Good luck! Keep an open mind, try everything and see if you learn something new that you'll want to adopt.

I have never been but am aware of other people who have done it. All of them reported that it was a very useful, positive experience.

I've been going to a chronic pain management group lead by a chronic pain psychologist for many years now. It is encouraging and helpful. It helps us stay positive and focus on the the things we CAN do. We continually search for more things we CAN do that are enjoyable. We also focus on finding things that help relieve the pain.

I used to run a support group for fibromyalgia several years ago, but not anymore. We talked about which docs on the island were good docs and which ones weren't. Talked about what kind of therapies were helping and which ones didn't. Talked about what meds were working and which ones to stay away from. Cold packs, hot packs, etc. When to rest, when to get moving. Also helped each other fill out disability applications, early retirement requests, etc.

I hope you get a lot out of your program! Good luck!

Thanks for the replies. I didn't know pain rehab/management programs existed until recently. I'm concerned why no one seems to have utilized outpatient programs. Or why my doctors have never mentioned them before now (I've had fibro 7+ years).

I followed a seven month chronic pain management program at a hospital. It was out-patient that had me visiting twice a week for three/four hours. It consisted of physical therapy, courses on sleeping and relaxation techniques, working with an ergotherapist about making different choices on how to move (an example: deciding I'd tone muscles in my arms and shoulders, so that I would use those, rather than my hips and legs, to open the heavy doors at work).

They also offered a ten week course in Mindfulness. I could try to go into a whole, rambling attempt at an explanation, but I'd fail to do it justice. I found it a very positive experience, though. :) I'm sure google would come up with plenty of info.

For me, there was one thing that hit me quite hard in the process.
I was never promised any cure or miracles, but I found that I had actually been harbouring a secret hope - expectation, really - that I'd progress with leaps and bounds if only I applied myself. It was a tough pill for me to swallow that a lot was ostensibly focussed on accepting the pains that I have, rather than on what to do to be curing it. I was ready for it to be physically gruelling, and more than ready to go through anything as long as it made me feel better. I really wasn't ready for the emotional side of it, of being confronted with my limits and realizing that I can't simply force those limits to change as I will.
The only possible advice that I could give on that score: maybe discussing with your therapist(s) what your expectations are, and what they feel they can offer you.

Certainly not trying to sound negative! It was such a necessary experience for me. I learned to get to know my body better than ever, for better or for worse.

I agree with Shakota on keeping an open mind. :) We start these programs because the current situation isn't what we want, so we have to be willing to give things a fair shot.

Best of luck, wisgrl!

Hi there....

I've been absent from the site for a bit, but I went through a pain management program about 6 months ago. This one, to be precise....

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/neurological_institute/neurological-center-for-pain/treatment-and-services/chronic-pain-rehabilitation-program

The link will give you some details.

I found it to be a helpful experience--it really addressed the total picture and helped me understand the psychological components to my pain. It was very helpful to see people in exactly the same situation I was in. The friendships I have made in the program are incredible. It changed the way I think about my pain, and it helped me understand that the pain I have when I exercise is good pain, as opposed to harm being done.

The problem I have had is that I don't have enough structure in my life after the program. The 7:30 to 5 routine was so hard, but the structure really gave me some results. Now, I don't have enough to keep busy; I'm trying to stay motivated, and to maintain my exercise routine, but it's been very difficult. The CPRP program offers monthly aftercare, but I didn't really find that helpful. It's like I was dropped in the deep end of the pool after the program.

Overall, it's worth trying. I learned a lot about myself, and my pain levels after the program were greatly reduced, as well as my anxiety and depression. I think that if you can maintain routine and structure and carry over what you learn, your quality of life will definitely improve. It's not a magic solution though, and it's a LOT of hard work.

Let me know how it goes for you, and if you have any other questions. I wish you all the best.