How to treat phantom pain?

Question

I'm an amputee and like most amputees experience phantom pain. Usually they are mild and don't really bother, but sometimes I get a very weird feeling of spasm. It's like a hammer beating the nail and it does get really painful. They keep repeating very often (once every minute) .

I used some painkillers, but they do not seem to help :(
Is there something else I can use, at least to get rid of those painful hammering feelings.

Thanks a lot

Answer 1

treating phantom pain with nonsurgical therapies is a matter of trial and observation. The following techniques may relieve phantom pain:

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). In TENS, doctors send a weak electrical current to specific points on the skin over a nerve pathway. This may interrupt pain signals, preventing them from reaching your brain. Although safe and painless, TENS doesn't work for everyone or for all types of pain. It's generally more effective for acute pain than for chronic pain and is often used with other treatments. TENS may be a good option to try for people who can't take or don't get relief from medications.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). This treatment involves sending a brief electrical current to the head to stimulate the brain. Before the procedure, you receive a general anesthetic and strong muscle relaxants to control movement and pain. ECT is thought to alter brain chemicals related to pain sensation and mood. Doctors use ECT for depression and other mental disorders.

Acupuncture. The National Institutes of Health has found that acupuncture can be an effective treatment for some types of chronic pain. In acupuncture, the practitioner inserts sterilized stainless steel needles into the skin at specific points on the body. It is thought that acupuncture stimulates your central nervous system to release neurotransmitters, hormones or the body's natural pain-relieving endorphins. Acupuncture may also alter how your blood pressure, blood flow and body temperature are regulated and respond to pain.
Other experimental treatments include other nerve blocks and destruction of nerve tissue (nerve tissue ablation). No clear evidence has yet shown these treatments to be helpful.

Self-care

You may not have control over whether you develop phantom pain after surgery, but you can reduce your discomfort and improve your quality of life. One or more of these approaches may help you get through a flare-up of phantom pain:

Look for distractions. Find activities that take your focus off the pain, such as reading or listening to music.

Stay physically active. Get your exercise by doing activities that you enjoy, such as gardening, walking, swimming or cycling.

Take your medications. Follow your doctor's directions in taking prescribed and over-the-counter pain medications. If you try herbal and other alternative medications, be sure to tell your doctor.

Find ways to relax. Practice activities that reduce your emotional and muscular tension. Take a warm bath. However, heat may aggravate the pain. Lie down and follow helpful relaxation techniques, such as rhythmic breathing, meditation or visualization.

Seek the support of other people. Find ways to bring you closer to others. Call friends; or join a support group or a group involved in your favorite hobby.

Take care of your stump. Removing or putting on your prosthesis, massaging the stump, and applying TENS, cold or heat may reduce the pain.

Remember that managing phantom pain can make a big difference in how you feel. If one approach doesn't provide relief, try something else rather than give up.

Answer 2

I have major phanton pain and have intermittant spikes you are speaking of. The Nerve is an open circuit now and some frequencies will set it off. It is a nasty nasty pain and neorontin (gabapentin) generic will numb your stump and stop the nail spiking. If 800mg doesn't work go to 1600mg. It works but using it every day it becomes less effective so just use as PRN.