Support Community for Amputees

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This is a support community for amputees and their families, to discuss the issues facing those with limb loss in a safe, friendly environment.

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ExtremeDullard

ExtremeDullard@sopuli.xyz

ExtremeDullard@piefed.social

I have the itchies and the cramps from hell, and it's driving me spare (piefed.social)

submitted 3 weeks ago by ExtremeDullard@piefed.social to c/amputee

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For me, phantom pain manifests itself in 10% real pain (usually a sensation of someone driving a sharp blade through my nail beds, or unpleasant electric shocks) and 90% itchy toes. And occasionally, I have insane plantar cramps to go with it.

I get the itchies maybe 4 times a year, and the cramps maybe once a year, and they usually last 6 hours - so basically I got to work in the morning, try not to think about them, and by the time I ride the bus back home, thankfully it's over.

Not this time: my toes have been itching for 3 days. 3 solid day with nothing to scratch! And the cramps are so strong I have trouble walking, and I wake up with bruised muscles in the morning.

I've tried all the tricks: gabapentin, muscle relaxants - pills and topical - creative chemistry, massage, meditation, sauna, my own anal special... there's nothing for it. I can't take anymore, it's driving me up the wall. And I'm thinking of going to sleep at the hotel tonight because I'm starting to take it out on my loved ones and I don't want to do that.

If you have any suggestions, I'll do anything.

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[–] lath@lemmy.world 4 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I was conflicted about suggesting alcohol. It brings on its own set of issues and may have little effect. Personally, I wouldn't use it more than once or twice.

Next, I'm gonna presume you're maintaining a healthy diet.

Have you tried yoga? Or daily stretching exercises. Making the joints more flexible might loosen up your nervous system.

Also, have you heard of something called bioelectric massage? I know little about it, so it's unknown territory for me.

Beyond this, it's at making a wish on a falling star level. Sorry.

I wish you well and hope you find a solution that works for you. Just don't rely heavily on alcohol, it rarely ends well.

[–] ExtremeDullard@piefed.social 2 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

Thanks for your concern!

I mostly never drink anymore. Not that I ever was a heavy drinker, but I'm old enough that it makes me sleepy now, so alcohol interferes with my life. So I just quit cold turkey years ago.

Also, it makes alcohol work better for the few times when I do need it - like now - because I don't have any habituation anymore. So it doesn't take much to hammer me real good. Like right now...

Yeah I have a healthy lifestyle. I tried yoga. It doesn't do anything for me.

I'll look up bioelectric massage. Is it like TENS? I do that too, it helps a little. Not much though.

[–] lath@lemmy.world 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Looking up TENS, they do seem very similar to each other, if not the same. If anything, the bioelectric massage seems to use the eastern medicine mystique as part of its promotion.

Unfortunately, I'm out of ideas. Unless you want to rub crystals on your skin while inhaling incense and humming to the rhythms of Enya.

If it really is nerve damage, only a true specialist can say whether something can be done medically.

I'd say keep trying things. If anything, they'll keep you occupied. Good luck to you!

[–] ExtremeDullard@piefed.social 1 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Well, after a bad night's sleep and an awful day with a lingering hangover, the itching is mostly gone. Not quite, but it's not as insane as it was. Now only one tiny spot on one of my big toes is itching. As for the cramps... Well, I drank, so they'll be there until I flush it out of my system and rehydrate properly.

But hey, thanks for the support!