I had never heard of phantom pain before my BKA (below knee amputation). But boy I know about it now! Talking to fellow amputees at the Limb Fitting Centre and Amputee Physio I seem to be suffering particularly badly compared to many. It's now nearly five months since the amputation and although I suffer it most days it has not been too bad for two months. However in the early hours of Christmas Day and this morning it has been truly awful and I have had to top up the Gabapentin with Oxycodone to get a degree of relief. Any thoughts on why it has come back quite so badly? I have tried massaging the opposite leg, massaging the stump and meditation all to no avail. Thanks in advance...
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Phantom Pain
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MichaelJH
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Hi MichaelJH,It's not the best to learn so late in the process about 'phantom pain', which is actually incredibly common after amputation. I think that, if you understand the whole process, it's easier to comprehend the whole healing journey you will be undertaking. At least now that's been explained to you, and so sorry that you are having a particularly bad time with it.
Rather than explain the whole thing second hand to you, I'd recommend visiting:
neuromodulation.com/amputat...
which gives a no-nonsense explanation about what's going on and the treatments that might possibly be of use to you. A pain block is sometimes possible if your ongoing pain is overriding your daily life. That's regional anaesthesia given by epidural infusion. However, it's not a good solution when you are at the stage of using a prosthesis at first, as, of course, you need feeling in the area, which, if absent could cause damage to you through your feeling nothing. I think that you really need to discuss all of this with your healthcare professionals, and be insistent if the pain's unbearable. Health professionals can be apt to suggest perseverance when for the person suffering the pain, it is unbearable to do so. Best wishes.
MichaelJH, So sorry to hear of your intense "phantom pain" and sincerely hope you find some relief for it.
My nephew suffered with this after a car accident and partial leg amputation. He also took Gabapentin and Oxycodone and said the meds worked better at times but not always. He, too, experienced time gaps when he was not plagued as severely with the pain and then could never explain what triggered it back again.
Dear MichaelJH,My great sympathy for your suffering.My husband had awful phantom pains which were very difficult to elevate.Many drug combinations were tried with very little relief.However I wondered if the use of a tens machine would help you.It did give him some relief. Keep asking the powers that be in this field.Although a medic himself he didn’t manage to find much help out there.My very best to you and a virtual hug.Ann.
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