Phantom "Limb" syndrome

[Alora]

Hey ladies,

This is mostly for the post of gals...

I was driving around today and couldn't help but think about stories about Vets and the sensations that they have from phantom limb syndrome.

I was wondering if, is post of gals, have ever experienced it? Am I worried for nothing? Is it a thing? If you've experienced it, can you describe the sensation ?

Thanks ladies

Loves [emoji182][emoji173][emoji182]


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[Sandy]

Alora:

I knew of phantom limb syndrome and wondered if I would experience it.  I did.  And, no, I don't think you should worry over much.

A few weeks after my surgery, once my healing was well on it's way, I started experiencing it.  What it felt like to me, was a powerful, almost painful, erection.  It felt like my non-existent penis pointed straight up toward my stomach.  Interesting in that it never did that when I had one.

I knew what the sensations were, and tried to ignore them, but they were very distracting.  So much so, I would put my hand where it felt like it was and feel surprise that there was nothing there.

The sensations continued for about three weeks.  But instead of fading away, what it felt like is the length seemed to shrink over time until it became no larger than my constructed clitoris.  The feeling of swelling or erection faded soon afterward as well.

I was still seeing my therapist at the time, and while she could not offer any advice for my particular version, she said it would fade. 

Of the other trans people I've talked with who've had GCS, not all experienced it.  I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Just don't try to pee with it...

-Sandy

[KayXo]

I've experienced it on occasion since my SRS in 2005. No biggie. I still felt at home in my new body.

[ainsley]

Never experienced it at all.  I was worried about it, too, but it has not manifested in me.

[Inarasarah]

I vaguely remember having the phatom limb feeling for maybe the first few months following SRS, but now that so much time has past I don't even remember what it feels like to have had a penis.  I mentioned in a few other posts, that your mind starts to rewire itself to its new surroundings.  So right after surgery, it would not be uncommon to have the feeling of something being there when it is not.  Once enough time has elapsed and you no longer have those sensations, your mind sort of just fills in memories with how you feel things today.  At least this has been my experience.  And I can tell you I am not complaining one bit

[Barb99]

Yes, for the first couple of weeks after surgery it would itch every now and then. Very annoying as there was nothing there to scratch!

[Tessa James]

I happily imagine a ghostly penis leaving me for good.  Bye Bye now

Everything works out fine in my imagination:)

[MissGendered]

Interesting!!

Yes, I did have phantom limb syndrome, most of my life. I had a phantom vagina and phantom boobs. Turns out, I did have a real vagina at birth, and I did have real boobs, though they never developed due to medical interventions..

When I mentioned such as a 'man', I was not well received, lol..

After my vaginal reconstruction, using my very large, medically enlarged clitoris, I did on a few occasions, feel something was missing. On a rare occasion, I will still reach down to pull it out before I get to the bathroom, and I have to just laugh, though that is an old habit, not really phantom limb syndrome.

As Sarah mentioned, your brain will likely adjust, and adapt, and let go all those past feelings and rewire and rewrite your experiences to reflect your new state of being. I can't say for certain, since my physiology was never bio-male, but even my experience seems to be consistent now that my body and mind are congruent...

Missy

[Zumbagirl]

Nope never experienced any phantom limb syndrome. It honestly felt right for the first time after surgery.