Phantom pain

[t-barr at t-barr.com]

"The longer the pain before amputation ,the longer or more intense of post
op phantom pain afterwards.."

I remember after consuming large amounts of beer during college days, that a
a similar philosophy was based on delaying urination so that would you
urinate less frequently.
Everyone is entitled of making opinions so mine is that both of these belong
in the toliet?

Interesting points of view but hardly viable-most likely the sensation of
phantom pain is escalated as the result of less than adequate surgery that
would help eliminate nerve ending regeneration into forming nueromas, lack
of muscle tissue reattachment causing instability of tyhe stump in the
socket, and improper cordorizing and placement of blood vessels and arteries
in the stump that could remain active and stimulate even more nerve growth.

Many amputees describe their phantom pain as a pulsing feeling which would
explain the blood flow from being simultaneous with one's heart beats.

Promote proper amputation surgery and you will be diminishing the frequency
of phantom pain.
Tony Barr
Barr Foundation
www.oandp.com/barr

-----Original Message-----
From: AMP-L-owner at u.washington.edu
[mailto:AMP-L-owner at u.washington.edu]On Behalf Of Thom Bloomquist
Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2003 6:31 AM
To: Amputee Information Network
Subject: Phantom pain


- the longer the pain before amputation, the longer or more intense the
phantom pain afterwards.

Michael,

Your theory runs parallel to my understanding.  Another variable, although
two might have the same painful stimuli - how we respond might be different.
A Billion sets of chemistries walking around this planet and each just a tad
different.  Different skin color, eye color and hair color - how we respond
to illness and injury also varies.  That's why some of us are bothered by
phantom and others, having gone through similar experiences, might have
few/none.

 rodgerole at mail.ev1.net posted an inclusive list of treatments. I would like
to add one that works for me.  He/she (?) mentioned TENS.  Tens was a step
in the right direction but The micro-current technology called Alpha- Stim,
takes my phantoms away very quickly.  It's very safe and non-ivasive.  Since
all meds have side effects and complications - some thing this safe and
effective is great.  This doesn't mean it will work for everyone in the same
way - nothing does.  However, its worked on every amputee, I have put it on.

Thom