I haven't found many fics that recognize this attribute of Ed's Automail. When he is digging up his "mother" with Pinako he mentions it during the rain storm. It was so painful for him he got sick more than once while digging up the grave. Having been around amputees I know it can get very painful. My ma was a home care nurse and I remember one of her patients said it was a strange feeling. He said despite the pain he thought he could feel the rug beneath his nonexistent toes.

This is why something like automail can be very possible. The nerve ending still are sending signals. The problem is, nothing is there to channel it. With phantom pains, the nerves realize something is wrong but not the reason so it shoots off pain signals for an area of the body no longer present. At least that's how it was described to me.

Another patient said it was similar in sensation to carpal tunnel syndrome (his arm had it from years of hard labor.) but on an entirely different level of pain.

I have carpal tunnel syndrome in my right hand and it already feels like the worst case of pins and needles I ever had with a splash of a dull throbbing ache. I see stars just with a light touch on really bad days. That being said, I can't even imagine the level of pain from PLS.

I like this story. Thank you for writing it.

Yes, in brotherhood Ed does make a comment about phantom limb pains. When he is digging up his mother he tells Piniko something about the weather making his stumos hurt.

Poor Ed! It does seem likely that he does have to deal with PLS, especially since he has two missing limbs. It's fitting that he would try to hide it from everyone, as Ed always tries to bear so much of his hardships himself, trying not to worry or burden anyone else, especially Al. I wish this story was longer and went into more detail of Ed dealing with his PLS, how it affects him, and how others around him would respond and try to help him cope with it. If you did make a longer story, I would definitely prefer parental Roy/Ed, it's way, way better and closer to canon than icky yaoi can ever hope to be.

You're absolutely correct! I remember that one part in manga where Ed woke up in the middle of the night holding his leg and mumbling "It hurts..". Great story, I loved it!

This was great! One other thing to consider: in a cold environment like Briggs, not only will the automail freeze, but the area where the skin and metal meet could freeze as well, causing severe frostbite around the ports. (Naturally, this would happen much faster than frostbite would occur in any normal person. It's like sticking your tongue to a frozen pole.) I believe the danger of that was implied canonically (in Brotherhood). Just something to think about.

Anyway, great piece. I volunteered at a military hospital when I was younger, so it's always interesting to read about something that I've experienced in real life. And your writing is pretty awesome! Happy New Year!

How do you have no reviews, it's unheard of! I won't allow it! Anyway, I love the whole phantom pain thing, you're right it does exist and it is in Brotherhood but more in the manga. I wish there were more fanfics that mentioned it. It was a bit jumpy when he was up in Briggs but still very well written. The ending could have used for closure but even so I really felt you did a good job and got everyone in character. Great Job!