Chronic phantom pain and treatment

A reader asked us the following questions about chronic phantom pain and treatment. Read what our experts answered about innovative phantom pain treatments.

Reader: Hello. I have been struggling with Phantom Pain for 28 years after a motorcycle accident that I hit a tree with my right shoulder. Tore up three nerve roots and amputated the arm 6 months later, when it was just in the way. I have tried many treatments and loads of medication over the years, but nothing works. It can be compared to being tortured when it's really on. I've been using morphine every day for 11 years, but it doesn't work much. Just makes the quality of life poor, and the body must have it. Any good suggestions on what I can do?

Thomas: Hello. It does not sound good (!) Considering that you have tried more traditional forms of treatment, our first thoughts went to a slightly little used technique in the treatment of phantom pain - namely mirror therapy. Has this been used as a form of treatment for you? Positive studies have also been done with Virtual Reality computer game processing. What forms of treatment have been tried? How is it further up in the area where you have amputated your arm? Do you suffer a lot from neck pain and headaches?

Reader: Thanks for reply. Yes, mirror therapy I tried in the pain department at Aker Hospital many years ago. Also hypnosis. It was Gunnar Rosen, a psychologist, who treated me. Also took part in Germany where he and a doctor, Frode Viloch, had me in a drum while I was being hypnotized. Took pictures of pain centers in the brain. No effect, unfortunately. I've tried almost everything you can think of.

In addition, I have gone to several with special abilities - without success. Of medicines, there is probably a laaaang list. But as I said morphine for the last 11 years. Uses 40mg Oxycontin three times a day. In addition 30-60 mg Oxynorm many days to take the «peaks». Fast acting. I have probably more or less given up on a life without pain, and there is not much I can bear to be a part of. Isolates me and is for myself. The "stump" (the arm that is left) is very hypersensitive and there are many points in it that are very painful.

Has not been much bothered by neck pain or headaches. But lately there have been some. Mostly because of inactivity I would think. And of course there has been a lot of phantom pain in recent weeks. The problem is that the pain comes at any time. So not easy to say something about what affects them. But if I'm in bad physical shape, sick or something, the phantom pains will be worse as well. I'm 51 years old. The accident happened on May 2, 1988 and I chose to amputate myself in October of that year, when Se said there was no hope because it was precisely the nerve roots that had been torn up. Have a nice day and thank you for your interest. Just that you answer does well.

Thomas: My pleasure. Let us know if there is something you want or the like - such as exercises etc. or advice. By the way, have you tried such VR (virtual reality) therapy?

Reader: No, what is it?

Thomas: Here you can read more and watch a video:
http://www.livescience.com/43665-virtual-reality-treatment-for-phantom-limb-pain.html

Video: Virtual reality (VR) in the treatment of phantom pain

Og here do you have a research study. Maybe this could be something for you?

Reader: Thanks! I will address this with my GP.

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