Suggest Remedies For Phantom Pain Post A Limb Amputation In A Diabetic

Posted on Tue, 14 Mar 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 14 Mar 2017 Answered on

Wed, 5 Apr 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : My husband had two legs removed due to diabetis and he has phanthom pain. What can we do to relieve these.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Drugs are to be tried first.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HealthcareMagic.

I have read your question and understand your concerns.

Phantom pain due to limbs amputated is a challenging issue regarding to it's treatment.

Possible treatment ways include:

- drugs (antidepressants such Amitriptyline, antiseizure drugs such Gabapentin, Pregabalin, Carbamazepine, narcotics such Codeine, etc.)

- Transcutaneous nerve stimulation

- Acupuncture

- Nerve blocks, spinal cord stimulation

- Surgery ( deep brain stimulation )

Drug treatment and noninvasive techniques are to be tried first to treat phantom pain, if these fail to improve it, invasive techniques such nerve blocks, spinal cord stimulation, etc. are considered.

Please discuss with your husband's Doctor about these issues.

Hope you found the answer helpful. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee