United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Can anyone share any suggestions on pain management resources in the Chicago area? Even good alternative medicine places? I'm seeing the Mayo guys for the TBPI stuff, but I'm looking for local providers for getting by day to day.

I have an appt at the Center for Pain Management at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago-- it's a 4 hour long eval, so it must be pretty multi-disciplinary. Anyone been there before?

Thanks-- Mike

Hi Mike
I did actually go to Chicago for pain management. We were referred to a doctor there by another pain specialist from NY. My husband did all the research and we were willing to go anywhere. I live in Northern Illinois, about an hour North of Chicago. It was a few years back when I went. I had read an article about have brain surgery to discounted the signals of pain that was being sent from the brain and they could disconnect that. However at the time it was still in the experimental stages in another country. We spoke of it and the doctor said they will not see anything like that here in the states for a very long time. He was VERY anxious to do the DREZ procedure. After researching it that possible side effects were not something I was willing to risk. he prescribed neurotin. I want to say this was about 6 years ago. I tried it and did not like it. I'm babbling about my experiences that are old and I didn't follow up because it was basically all meds for pain and for personal reasons I don't and wont take pills. I have had 7 surgeries in last 2 1/2 years, not related to pain, so the pain part is on the back burner now. But I do have it full force, so I understand your wants for relief. Good luck with the Rehab Institute of Chic. They are wonderful and hopefully there are new finding in the pain area. If they suggest DREZ please do the research.
Blessings
Kath

um "discounted" is suppose to be "disconnect" Sorry:)