Arm Amputation

[RENARDWC at ctrvax.Vanderbilt.Edu]

A few new folks:

During the recent week, I overlooked welcoming Muhittin Gurbez to AMP-L:

MG> I am a new membershib this list.I write from Turkey. At the same
    time, I am a membershib of ACA.I am above elbow amputee person.

Hello Muhittin. Fascinating place you have entered. You can learn how to
ridicule people with differences. I notice you are at the library of the
Middle East Technical University. A friend of mine years back was denied
admittance to an American library college due to being bi-lateral BE.
The University of Colorado accepted her and she graduated (MLA) with
honors.

Both you an Alan Newey (from Australia) might be interested in ARM-AMP
listserv, founded October 1997 to provide arm amputees with a way to
share information and support. Any message that addresses upper
extremity limb loss is on topic. Any problems or questions about the
operation of the list should be addressed to the moderator, Bill Baughn:

               <bbaughn at southeast.net>.

To subscribe, send mail to:

	       <LISTSERV at MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU>


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AN> Does anyone have an idea on how to control stump and phantom pain?
    The pain seems to be getting greater to the point l can no longer
    put a towel under my arm to dry it after a shower.

I certainly do not know how to control it. Thirty years ago I
experienced severe pain, and as is often the case, it dissipated after
six months and finally after about a year went away entirely, leaving
only phantom sensation, which is constant.

AN> The doctors are now reducing the drugs l take, but lm down to about
    3 to 4 hours sleep per day sometimes less. l think it might have
    something to with the drugs but l just don't want to see because of
    my nightmares about my accident.

I notice you are a newcomer to the club, having been amputated just last
September. I also had great difficulty sleeping at first, and the
limited drugs prescribed did little to prevent sleeplessness. But like
phantom pain, which was the temporary cause of my insomia, it will pass.


Wayne Renardson