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Post by sqhead on Jul 24, 2019 12:03:53 GMT -7
First time posting on here. I am a left hip disartic amputee. Have been for 41 years. I have always had PP but now in my older years I notice it a lot more and it is very hard to settle down to sleep at night. Doctor put me on gabepentin and Cymbalta for 3 years now. Got off the Cymbalta 6 mos ago because of weight gain. Can’t say that the gabepentin works. Gave me Xanax to help sleep. It works and calms the burning/shocks or as I say , the ants running. But I find that my brain is use to the Xanax and it is not working as well. I know a stronger dose would help but I don’t want to go higher because of the withdrawal risk. I would have to never get off the Xanax. Probably like that now. 30 day supply and I run out like 3 days early and have to wait until the 30 days are up to refill and the PP gets crazy. I can not keep still. Some nights I don’t sleep at all. There has to be something out there for this. It is a miserable life.
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Post by stonecutter on Jul 24, 2019 12:37:30 GMT -7
Hi Sqhead. Welcome aboard.
Does a TENS machine help? Just an over-the-counter machine that you can buy a your local pharmacy is what I have. It works for me *while the machine runs* but as soon as it times out (30 mins) mine come back. It lets me get some sleep though.
Does vibration help?
Does local massage help?
Does taking a bath help? Sometimes a heating pad works for me too...
Basically - I find that if I can stimulate the nerve endings in the amputated area it gives me some reprieve even if it's some times temporary.
Please come back and let us know how you do...
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Post by sqhead on Jul 24, 2019 20:40:35 GMT -7
Hi Trevor, Yes I use a “Tens” device when The PP is like “ running ants”. But like you said, when the time runs out the “ants” are still there. Heating pad helps some. I find that lying on my stomach lessons the sensations and when I sit straight up also. But when I want to lie down it starts again. The PP are only when I have my prosthesis OFF. WHEN I am wearing it ( that’s from morning to night ) I don’t feel the sensations. The Prosthetic guy said that compression helps because the nerves have to have something to “Fire” back against since the nerves have been cut.......Makes sense. Anyways, I just take what meds I have and let the PP run it’s course. I’ve also tried the CBD vape pen and That does nothing for me ( maybe I don’t use enough, don’t know how much to use ). 🤷♀️
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Post by stonecutter on Jul 25, 2019 9:13:51 GMT -7
When your prosthesis is off, do you have enough residual limb to wrap with a tensor? Does that help?
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Post by sqhead on Jul 25, 2019 22:12:30 GMT -7
Don’t know what a “tensor” is but I am assuming it’s some kind of tight binder. Amputation was at the femoral head, so I basically sit in my socket. I have used binding garments on my stump before and does give some relief. When the ants are running And my prosthesis is off I rub my lower back or shake my other leg like a nervous tick and it takes my mind off of the ants/burning feeling in my amputated leg. After 40 + years I have learned some tricks but it sure would be a welcomed “Calm” if I was phantom free for for a good while 🙏
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