Silencing the Phantom - Pregabalin Misuse in Amputation Patients: A Case Report

Öz

In the aftermath of amputation, individuals face not only physical pain but also psychological challenges as their body's integrity is suddenly disrupted. Phantom limb sensations, characterized by the feeling that the amputated limb still exists, are common after amputation. Phantom limb pain often accompanies these sensations. Beyond the physiological aspects, patients' psychological adaptation journey is pivotal. This case report delves into the intricate relationship between phantom limb sensations, psychological factors, and pregabalin use disorder in a right-arm amputee patient. A 25-year-old right-arm amputee male patient went to an addiction outpatient clinic for pregabalin addiction treatment. He had a history of cannabis use to cope with his sadness during his adolescence. While cannabis use initially provided emotional relief, it later turned to pregabalin misuse, escalating to alarming doses (3000mg/day). Many pharmacological agents, including pregabalin, are being tried to treat phantom limb pain. Beyond its positive effects in phantom limb pain treatment, many studies have been published about its addictive features recently. This case underscores the need for comprehensive care for amputees, including psychological support, early prosthetic intervention, social reintegration, and judicious medication management. This case report serves as a reminder that the post-amputation period is not just a physical struggle but also a complex psychological journey toward healing and reintegration into a fulfilling life..

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Amputation
• Gabapentinoids
• Misuse
• Phantom Limb Pain
• Phantom Limb Syndrome
• Pregabalin

Proje Numarası

Case Report

Etik Beyan

The authors confirm that they have obtained a patient consent form. The patient understands that names and initials will not be published and that every effort will be made to conceal the identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed.

Hayaleti Susturmak - Amputasyon Hastalarında Pregabalin Kötüye Kullanımı: Bir Olgu Sunumu

Öz

Ampütasyon sonrasında bireyler sadece fiziksel acı değil, aynı zamanda vücut bütünlükleri aniden bozulduğu için psikolojik zorlanmalarla da karşı karşıya kalırlar. Kesilen uzvun hala var olduğu hissi olarak tanımlanan hayalet (fantom) uzuv hissi, amputasyondan sonra yaygın olarak görülür. Hayalet uzuv ağrısı genellikle bu hislere eşlik eder. Fizyolojik uyumun ötesinde, hastaların psikolojik uyum yolculuğu da çok önemlidir. Bu olgu sunumunda, sağ kolu ampute bir hastada hayalet uzuv hissi, psikolojik faktörler ve pregabalin kullanım bozukluğu arasındaki karmaşık ilişki incelenmektedir. 25 yaşında sağ kolu ampute erkek hasta pregabalin bağımlılığı tedavisi almak için Alkol ve Madde Bağımlılığı Tedavi Merkezi (AMATEM) polikliniğine başvurdu. Ergenlik döneminde üzüntüsüyle başa çıkmak için esrar kullanım öyküsü mevcuttu. Esrar kullanımı başlangıçta duygusal rahatlama sağlarken, daha sonra pregabalin kötüye kullanımına dönüşmüştü ve olgu 3000 mg/gün pregabalin kullanmaktaydı. Hayalet uzuv ağrısını tedavi etmek için pregabalin de dahil olmak üzere birçok farmakolojik ajan denenmektedir. Hayalet uzuv ağrısı tedavisindeki olumlu etkilerinin ötesinde, pregabalinin bağımlılık yapıcı özellikleri hakkında son zamanlarda birçok çalışma yayınlanmıştır. Bu vaka, ampüte hastalar için psikolojik destek, erken protez müdahalesi, sosyal ilişkilerin yeniden sağlanması ve uygun farmakolojik tedavi yönetimi dahil olmak üzere kapsamlı bakım ihtiyacının altını çizmektedir. Bu olgu sunumu ampütasyon sonrası dönemin sadece fiziksel bir mücadele değil, aynı zamanda iyileşme ve tatmin edici bir hayata yeniden uyumlanmaya yönelik karmaşık bir psikolojik yolculuk olduğunu hatırlatmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Amputasyon
• Gabapentinoidler
• Hatalı Kullanım
• Hayalet Uzuv Ağrısı
• Hayalet Uzuv Sendromu
• Pregabalin

Proje Numarası

Case Report

Kaynakça

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