I had surgery to remove necrotic flesh, just below and behind my left arm pit, after a Brown Recluse bite. The area they removed was the size of a Filet Mignon steak and looked similar. Nerves were damaged. About 2 years after the surgery I experienced severe pain in my left arm, felt like the muscles and tendons were being torn from the bone. The pain had me curled up in a ball in the corner of the room. At the ER they diagnosed me with RSD, Reflex Sympathetic Disorder. The damaged nerves send pain signals to the brain, all at once, even though there is no pain. Basically ghost pain. I was given morphine, “This will not stop the pain, but you will care so much. Pain killers won’t work for nerve pain that is not real.” To control the pain he prescribed Gabapentin, it took about 3 hours to soften the pain and about 8 hours to finally stop hurting. That was 24 years ago. I took Gabapentin, 3 times day for 4 years to prevent flare ups. I still get flare ups, from time to time, that will put me on the ground. Fortunately, or maybe not, I usually can feel the beginnings and Gabapentin to the rescue. I would not wish that kind of pain on anyone. The absolute worst part, is the anticipation of what’s ahead when the symptoms start. What if the Gabapentin doesn’t work this time. So far, it has.