[AMP-L] Phantom Limb Tingles

[Tamara]

It's been nearly 2.5 years since my double BKA surgeries, and I've felt blessed that I've not felt phantom "pain"... but yes, I experience what I would call phantom "sensation".  And honestly, it can be really annoying moving into distracting.

The worst has been (and it only happens now and then), but I get a "charley-horse" in the arch of my non-existent foot.  I swear the pain is as real as if it was actually happening.  I'll pretend to stretch and flex my calf and foot like I would've when I had a foot... and it goes away... but it strikes hard and really hurts.

The other sensation I find hard to handle (and is more persistent) is the feeling that my "feet" are freezing cold... numb cold.  Especially when winter comes (I live in a cold-winter snowy region).  My eyes and other senses know it's really cold out, and my brain does its job sending "feet must be freezing" signals on down.  I wrap my stumps in blankets or tube socks... helps some... sometimes... but when I'm out and about, nothing seems to get my brain to realize it's all okay.

I've never had the "itching" problems some people talk about... I get more of the numbing and tingling sensations.  But I notice as others have mentioned, I don't have the trouble when I'm active and wearing my prosthetics... it's in the evening when I've taken them off, want to watch a little TV or read a book... or try to fall asleep.... THAT'S when all the tingle-twitches start.

So far, I don't notice it getting any better... in terms of less frequent or less intense... I think I'm just less alarmed by it.  And it's not so bad that I want to add another medication (neuro meds) to my already ridiculous list of meds.

Good luck to you, Larry... it's a "growing" experience!

--Tamara
Klamath Falls, OR
DBKA, March '08