Nerve pain and phantom limb pain

Overview

Causes include diabetes, shingles, injury, and amputation.

Mirror therapy can help phantom limb pain.

Symptoms

Common signs:

• Burning or shooting nerve pain
• Pain lasting more than 3 months
• Numbness or electric feelings in the body

Less common

• Pain in a missing limb
• Numbness

When to get medical care

Causes

Nerve damage.

Does it spread or run in families?

• It isn't contagious. You can't catch it from someone else.

Who is more likely to get it

• Diabetes
• Amputation
• Shingles

Possible complications

• Peripheral neuropathy

Diagnosis

A clinician asks about the pain.

Questions you may be asked

• Where and what it feels like

The exam

Nerve exam.

Tests

Tests, if needed:

• Nerve tests: Sometimes.

Treatment

Combine approaches.

Self-care

• Use the medicine as prescribed
• Try mirror therapy for phantom pain
• Gentle exercise
• Manage sleep and stress

Medicines

Medicines that may help:

OwieClear doesn't give doses: follow the label or your healthcare professional. Medicine names here are examples, not a full list.

Physical therapy, nerve blocks, or stimulators.

Prevention

• Shingles vaccine

Which doctor treats this

• Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
• They may send you to a neurologist (brain and nerve doctor).

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
• Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
• Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
• Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.

Outlook

Pain can be eased.

Getting ready for your visit

Bring a list of your symptoms and medicines.

Questions to ask

• Which nerve-pain medicine fits me?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on Nerve pain and phantom limb pain