Amputees Support Group

Amputation is the removal of a body extremity by trauma or surgery. Many have undergone amputation or have been living with a missing limb since birth. In either case, life as an amputee can be challenging. This is the place to find others going through the same experiences as an amputee. Share your thoughts, troubles, and solutions with the community.

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HopAlong 08/15/2007

I'm just wondering how long others had to deal with phantom pain. I did not have much phantom pain for the first 3 months after losing my left leg. Now, 7 months later, my phantom pain appears to be getting worse, particularly at night. I am currently on Lyrica 50mg 3x's a day. It helps, but it does not get rid of the phantom pain entirely. Will the phantom pain ever go away? Are there any remedies others have tried that seem to help? Lorri

deleted_user 08/15/2007

hi,
I lose my right leg ak last year. I still have phantom pain and yes it is worse at night. I live in GA and right now we are having a heat wave and the phantom pain has been giving me fits.. I take neurotin anywhere from 1200 to 2400 mgs a day. I do have pain killers also but I only take them if it gets really really bad. I was told it may never go away. I do rub nellie (thats my legs name) sometimes that helps. Most of the time I just grin and bare it..

deleted_user 08/15/2007

i must be 1 of the lucky ones..i only had phantom pains for the first yr..no i think i get theme..2 times a month...im just a lucky 1...shotgun66

Brandi24 08/15/2007

I am like shotgun in that I don't get the pains that often.I have more of the sensation.Even after 9 years it sometimes still feels like my foot is there.

deleted_user 08/15/2007

i was on Lyrica while in the hospital and it did work somwhat but I didnt want to be taking anymore pills than i already had to take once i got home. I havent had much problem with the phantom pains. My hardest time was the first week after. two of my toes had turned black and were completely gone and my foot was pretty much gone as well for two weeks prior to my amputation. the problem i had was i couldnt even put a sheet bandages after surgery or have anyone come near me on my left side. I cant remember the last time i actually felt my foot but now since i have been able to walk i tend to feel like my ankle is stiff especially when i sit too long. I just get up and walk a little and that helps relieve the feeling.

deleted_user 08/17/2007

Hi
I know for me I have had little pain compared to some. But what works for me is I put my focus onto the pain and then I Praise my leg for its service to me in the past and then I thank my new leg for replacing it. The pain just simply goes away everytime. But I know for a fact I'm not my body and that helps.
Love Bharata Ishaya (Jay)

deleted_user 08/18/2007

I DONT GET MUCH PHANTOM PAIN, BUT THE PT GIRL GAVE ME A LIST ON WHAT TO DO. OTHER THAN MEDICATION, YOUR STUMP SHRINKER SHOULD HELP IF YOUR LEG IS OFF, AND SOMETIMES PUTTING THE LEG BACK ON WORKS. I DIDNT HAVE SOMETHING AWFUL LIKE AN ULCER UNHEALED OR AN ACCIDENT TO HAVE THE LEG REMOVED. I ATTRIBUTE THAT TO NOT MUCH PAIN. WHAT I DO FEEL IS AN AREA WHERE I HAD AN AWFUL BREAK IN MY ANKLE 3 YEARS BEFORE. I THINK THE MORE TRAUMATIC, THE MORE PHANTOM PAIN. IHOPE THIS HELPS A BIT. LINDA

jefftj 08/21/2007

I had a BKA 11 years ago from 30 years of diabetes. I get a pain that feels like a needle between my toe and foot. I haven't found anything for that. At night I get a feeling of my toes spreading then pain. I put on a shrink sock. It seems to help.

deleted_user 08/30/2007

I get bad at night and I have had since the day I lost It!

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