Friday (3/13/15)

Update:

I got the best news possible from my podiatrist on Thursday.  My MRI showed absolutely no sign of Charcot or any broken bones.  The bones all looked healthy.  After looking at the scans, the doctor told me that most likely the pain I’ve been experiencing is neuropathic (nerve pain, similar to the phantom pain I experience in my missing foot).  He said that I could resume weight-bearing on the foot immediately.  He made no restrictions and no other treatment or procedure is necessary.  He did suggest that the next step would be trying medication to relieve the pain.  WOW!!!  Except for the pain itself, that is GOOD NEWS!  He did suggest that I take it slowly and continue to monitor the foot for other signs of damage.  I was so thankful for this outcome.  It was rather unexpected.  I really assumed I would be given more restrictions or face other tests or treatments.  I am grateful that the results were clearly negative and I can resume my life.

I already have an appointment scheduled for next Tuesday (3/17) with my physical rehab doctor (along with my prosthetist) to discuss going on pain medication because of my residual limb (phantom pain in the missing foot).  There also might be other options to try such as surgery or using a different system to build the prosthesis, etc.  So now it is just waiting until the appointment.

In celebration of the great results, I went and worked out at the gym this afternoon.  I haven’t been going for the last month because it would put more strain on the right foot transferring back and forth to all of the equipment.   It felt so good to go burn some calories instead of being stuck at home.

As long as I wasn’t walking, the pain levels in my left leg had decreased to almost zero.  Since getting back on the leg (although not really walking) the pain is back with a vengeance.  When I take my prosthesis off, it is obvious that what I am feeling is nerve pain because there is no physical evidence of any actual damage.  You might say, “It’s all in my head.” And BOY, does it give me a HEADACHE!!!

Phantom pain doesn’t mean that the pain isn’t real.  It just means that the body part that supposedly is the source of pain is missing.  The pain is real.  The body part that the brain thinks is hurting is no longer attached.  Very strange!  Our mind is a powerful thing.  I am glad that the system isn’t more glitchy than it already is. 

After I got back from the gym, I decided to see if I could dig my bicycle out of the shed.  That was fairly easy.  It took me longer to find the tire pump and my helmet than anything else.  I went on a short ride just to see how it felt.  I had no problems with my right foot.  My left leg and prosthesis gave me problems.  Phantom pain increased dramatically.  My prosthesis actually needs to be adjusted behind the knee (it digs into the back of the leg at the knee causing pain.  So far my prosthetist wanted to wait to see if we were keeping this socket or what before investing too much time in it.  If they aren’t going to give me something different fairly quickly, I’m going to ask she makes the adjustment immediately so I can reduce some of the pain and still be able to ride.  I want the exercise!

My plan is to go back to gym today and swim for an hour.  That’s a great workout that doesn’t stress the leg too much.  I’ll just keep on doing as much as I can without doing any physical damage to myself.  I’d prefer to be pain-free; but if I cannot be, then I’ll do as much as I can tolerate until such time as I am.  And besides, I am helping our economy by the sheer volume of Tylenol and Ibuprofen that I am currently buying!