Considering Pain Rehab

Since I've not had any success from the preventative medications and since I've decided to get off the medication roller coaster, my migraine doc has suggested that I could benefit from the Mayo Clinic Pain Rehab program. This same suggestion was made by the pain clinic after I attended Mayo's 3 day fibromyalgia program. 

This program is one of just a handful around the country. It's a 3 week long intensive, drug-free, multidisciplinary program that aims to retrain your brain's interpretation of pain. It basically would be a huge jump start to all the things I want to start doing to improve my life. I'm reasonably certain it would be a positive and worthwhile experience in a vacuum. For that reason I've been considering it for the past week. 

Unfortunately, the problems would be numerous. First, 3 weeks is a very long time to be away from home for someone like me whose routine and rest time are so important to my ability to cope with ALL the pains and other symptoms of chronic migraines and fibromyalgia. This would be further complicated by 3 weeks of needing to be mentally and physically active from 8-5 every day. It was hard enough when I did the 3 day fibro program, I can't imagine keeping up that pace for 3 weeks. I keep picturing me in full flare, with a migraine and trying to learn and participate in a class. 

On top of all that I would have to stay with my sister the whole time, which would be super stressful. She has two dogs with high pitch barks, who bark ALL THE TIME. She doesn't cook so her kitchen isn't set up for it. I would literally be on my own for every single meal. A tough proposition for a vegetarian who struggles with her weight. Not to mention it would be expensive. Plus, I feel like 3 weeks is just too long to impose on anyone. 

The expectations of the program go beyond the daily 8-5. Each night we would be expected to be practice

the things we learn, going through meditations and such. We are supposed to be in a low stress environment during this time. There is no way to really make that happen unless I were to stay in a hotel but I can't afford to stay in a hotel for 3 weeks. Not going to happen. 

As much as I would love to attend I just don't see how I can truly make the most of it and gain all the benefits because of these barriers. Guess I'll just stick with my original plan and do these things on my own.