Question 1

is it possible to make phantom pains go away?

Accepted Answer

Phantom Pain: Psychotherapy and/or hypnotherapy may help. It can be a very intractable syndrome.
Pain specialists may offer additional treatment.

Question 2

what causes "phantom" pains and how can you get it cured?

Accepted Answer

Nerves: Phantom pains occurs after an amputation and is related to the nerves being cut during the amputation. It is unclear exactly why they occur but one of the possibilities is that the brain "memorized" the pain so it is still present even when the part of the body is removed.  It usually improves with time after an amputation.  If it does not meds to treat nerve pain are helpful.

Question 3

what does phantom pain mean?

Accepted Answer

Phantom pain: This is pain that the brain perceives to be coming from a part of the body that no longer exists e.g. Pain from an amputated arm or leg.

Question 4

how can we explain phantom pain?

Accepted Answer

Unknown: Extensive studies have been done.  Clearly a perception within the brain relative to input from nerves that no longer exist.  It may be expected input that is altered or absent and the brain perceives as abnormal and therefore "painful".  The brain is set to receive certain messages from the body and expects them.  When they are no longer appropriate, there is a perception of badness.

Question 5

is there any cure for phantom pain?

Accepted Answer

Management: Phantom pain can grow less but not often cured.  Management can include medications that help with the pain sensors firing from the sensitized nerve endings such as Lyrica (pregabalin) or gabapentin.  Other medications help centrally (such as cymbalta, amitriptylline, or ssri's that work on serotonin or dopamine) or directly on opioid receptors (narcotic pain medicines).  Biofeedback and pt or ot can also help.

Question 6

what are symptoms of a phantom period?

Accepted Answer

Phantom pain: This is a condition where your brain still senses pain in a limb that has been amputated. You feel the pain from a limb that is no longer there.

Question 7

can you have phantom pain from a trauma?

Accepted Answer

No: Usually assosciated with a painfull amputation.

Question 8

are phantom odors associated with seizures?

Accepted Answer

Smell aura: Sometimes people may have an odd sense of smell sensation - such as burning tires or electrical fire- as a warning symptom, or aura, or partial seizure.  These arise from the mesial temporal cortex, which is associated with smell function.

Question 9

if lost fingertip can you feel "phantom pain"?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Any nerve amputation including the digital nerve may result in phantom pain.

Question 10

how can i avoid phantom pain with my new prosthesis?

Accepted Answer

Use it: The best way that i know of is to use the prosthesis. With time, the brain will reorganize it's sensory representation of the amputated body part and reset itself. Sometimes people will have pain associated with use of the prosthesis. This is not the same as phantom limb pain but can be due to a sharp edge in the cut bone, poor soft tissue coverage and a collection of nerves called a neuroma.

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Doctor answers about:

Phantom

A member asked:

Is it possible to make phantom pains go away?

A member asked:

What causes "phantom" pains and how can you get it cured?

A member asked:

What does phantom pain mean?

A member asked:

How can we explain phantom pain?

A member asked:

Is there any cure for phantom pain?

A member asked:

What are symptoms of a phantom period?

A member asked:

Can you have phantom pain from a trauma?

A member asked:

Are phantom odors associated with seizures?

A member asked:

If lost fingertip can you feel "phantom pain"?

A member asked:

How can i avoid phantom pain with my new prosthesis?

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