[dreambeliever128]

I read on facebook that there is a difference between phantom pain after the loss of a limb compared to RSD. I was of the ideal they were the same. Am I wrong about this.
I do have a very good friend that lost an arm and I do know that he is mentally healthier and more active then me. I was wondering if it is a difference in them.

Thanks,
Ada

[Jenna Delaney]

idk...........I asked my dr if i could cut my foot/leg leg off above the rsd and he said i would get phantom pain

[Jimking]

Ada, I believe I either started a thread or commented on this very subject sometime ago. I believe they are different, however, there is to me a link between phantom pain and RSD. Mirror therapy is a treatment used for both conditions. As far as I know phantom pain appears to stay put in the mind of the person whose limb is missing and yet that limb is in pain. As we all know RSD spreads.

Delaney, I think your doctor is incorrect. The reason you would think twice in amputating an RSD limb is it could or most likely spread to other parts of your body. However, if the doctor thought RSD is phantom pain then he could be correct, again however, RSD has and does show physical abnormalities thus one can conclude RSD is not a phantom. I'm not saying phantom pain is not real, I believe it is very real because RSD exists.

Confusing stuff.

[dreambeliever128]

I thought they were the same. I am going to talk to my friend that lost his arm and see how he describes his pain. I notice with him though, his mental attitude is a lot better then most RSD patients. Maybe it's just my mental attitude. He is extremely active and doesn't act like he is in pain but I would guess he is.

I guess what I am trying to figure out is the mental difference between people in pain. I definately am not normal in that way, but I don't know if it has anything to do with the RSD. It seems to.

Thanks to both of you.
Ada

[Jimking]

Question is does phantom pain spread? As far as mental I can attest RSD has affected my wife, but only when it seems she goes into a flare which is often, especially do to weather as far as barometric pressure.

[bobinjeffmo]

First, you can't cut away pain. For anyone who actually thinks this is the solution, all they're asking for are more problems and the impossible dream since no insurance company or self respecting doctor who understands RSD will actually remove a limb unless there's some physical reason such as life threatening infections or blood clots that are out to kill the patient. This was used as an option around a decade ago, but it was a bad idea then and we've learned this solution simply doesn't work. Now as far as getting it paid for, unless you've got the cash laying around, no insurance company will pay for it unless your limb is literally killing you.

Phantom pain actually feels quite different than RSD. After living with both for over 2 years I'm actually surprised in how much difference there is. There's no doubt about both hurting, but the tone of the pain is actually different. I'll feel like I'm wearing a pair of shoes 3 sizes too small that's rubbing a hole through my skin. Problem is, I had my leg cut high above the left knee so there's nothing there. RSD pain is very different in nature and much of it is based off of whatever got the RSD started in the first place as the RSD itself. For example if you're dealing with damaged nerve paths and/or circulation problems, this can cause those hot knives and stabbing sensations. A super deep bruising type throb is also common. While these sensations can be felt with phantom pain, it's still different and in time you'll notice it will change/alter over time.

Amputation is all about saving a persons life plain and simple. Only till you've had a limb(s) cut off will you understand just how awful an experience this is. Since there is for example nerve damage plus RSD involved with my amputated leg any kind of prosthesis isn't even an option since I can't even stand the pressure of a sock so how could I ever cope with a device that's clamped on tight so I can walk once again?

After living with my radical pedicure for over 2 years, I can only say, it's hard, it's not fun and it will change your life forever. RSD/CRPS does too, but you don't want to add more to the problem unless you're finally forced into it.

One ironic thing that's occurred only since the amputation are these shocks that range from supporting a coffee pot all the way to supporting a 2 ton air conditioner. These things really hurt. They can last in duration from 15 seconds to 2 minutes. They can have durations as short as a 3 minute set all the way up to hours long. I never had these shocks before the amputation and I'm telling you these things are plain awful. Embarrassing as all get out since you can't stop yourself from acting like a flopping fish you just caught, I hate it when I'm out in public and I start getting zapped.

Take each day as it comes and just keep a smile on your face when the pain is a bit easier to cope with. I'm not saying it's easy, but I am saying we can survive it. The best coping mechanism always comes from within and with a little help from the pharmacy department and caring doctors. I'm just thankful I've got all the above.

Best of luck, Bob.

Originally Posted by dreambeliever128

I read on facebook that there is a difference between phantom pain after the loss of a limb compared to RSD. I was of the ideal they were the same. Am I wrong about this.
I do have a very good friend that lost an arm and I do know that he is mentally healthier and more active then me. I was wondering if it is a difference in them.

Thanks,
Ada

[dreambeliever128]

I just asked this question due to this friend of mine losing his arm and trying to figure out how different RSD pain is as to phantom pain.

Troy had his arm ripped off in a machine along with his guts ripped out. He has had 90 surgeries to repair everything but he is the most amazing person I have met. He has been told he won't live to be 50 and just suffered a heart attack a month ago.

I don't think it's the thing to do either for RSD.

When I watch someone like him that never slows down compared to me and friends I know with RSD, I was just trying to figure out the difference.

Thanks for helping me in understanding. I do hope you are doing better these days.

Ada